German · Real conversations
How to say “It doesn't fit.” in German
Explain that clothing or an item does not fit as needed.
Es passt mir nicht.
It doesn't fit.
For clothing, the expression usually concerns the size or how it sits on the body.
Use it in three situations
Trying on a jacket
Es passt mir nicht.
It doesn't fit.
Returning trousers
Diese Schuhe passen nicht.
These shoes don't fit.
Explaining a size problem
Es ist mir zu klein.
It's too small for me.
What to watch for
A word meaning healthy or in good physical shape may not describe clothing fit.
Read the whole expression before replacing a detail. The natural wording may use a different order or construction from the English sentence.
Your turn
Imagine shopping and returns. Say this in German: These shoes don't fit.
Reveal a sample reply
Diese Schuhe passen nicht.
These shoes don't fit.
Build a useful exchange
Explain a return and check the available options.
This expression in other languages
A note on speaking German
Use Sie for formal address and du with people you address informally. Könnten Sie …? is a useful polite request. Keep noun capitals and the verb position shown in each complete sentence.
The examples preserve German accents and ß. Read a full sentence before replacing a detail: a subordinate clause can move the verb to the end, and case can change an article or pronoun.
