You see a shirt you like. You want to ask the price, check a bigger size, maybe ask about a
discount. But the words tangle in your head, so you just nod, pay whatever they say, and leave
without asking. Later you wish you had spoken up. Shopping in English is not hard once you know it
runs on a few fixed phrases. Price, size, discount, return, pay. That is the whole list. This guide
hands you the exact lines and short scripts for each one, so the next time you walk into a shop, you
ask for what you want with a calm, easy voice.
Quick answer: For shopping in English, you only need a few phrases. Ask price with "How much
is this?" Ask size with "Do you have this in a larger size?" Ask discount with "Is there any
discount?" Ask return with "Can I return this if it doesn't fit?" Pay with "Can I pay by card?"
Learn these five, practise them out loud, and you can shop almost anywhere with confidence.
How do I ask the price in English?
Ask "How much is this?" while you point at the item. It is short, clear, and polite, and it works in
every shop.
- "How much is this?"
- "What's the price of this one?"
- "How much for two?"
- "Is this the final price?"
- "Does the price include tax?"
Keep it simple. You do not need a long sentence to ask a price.
You: Excuse me, how much is this bag?
Staff: Eight hundred rupees.
You: And how much for this smaller one?
Staff: Five hundred.
You: Okay, I'll think about it. Thank you.
You are allowed to walk away after asking. "I'll think about it, thank you" is a polite, complete
way to leave without buying.
How do I ask about sizes and colours?
Say "Do you have this in..." then the size or colour you want. This one phrase covers almost every
size and colour question.
- "Do you have this in a larger size?"
- "Do you have this in medium?"
- "Is this available in blue?"
- "Can I try this on?"
- "Where is the trial room?"
If the size is wrong, say so plainly. The staff are used to finding other sizes.
You: Do you have this shirt in a larger size?
Staff: Yes, here's a large.
You: Can I try it on?
Staff: Sure, the trial room is at the back.
You: Thank you. This fits better.
Say this, not that (price and size)
❌ "Price?" ✅ "How much is this, please?"
❌ "Big size have?" ✅ "Do you have this in a larger size?"
❌ "Other colour?" ✅ "Is this available in another colour?"
❌ (Silently holding up the item.) ✅ "Can I try this on, please?"
The polite version is barely longer, but it sounds confident and friendly. Staff are quicker to
help when you ask with a clear, full line.
How do I ask for a discount?
Ask "Is there any discount on this?" in a light, friendly tone. Asking is normal, and the worst they
say is no.
- "Is there any discount on this?"
- "Can you give me a better price?"
- "Any offer on this item?"
- "If I buy two, will you reduce the price?"
- "Is there a sale going on?"
Keep your tone easy, not pushy. A small smile helps the whole thing feel relaxed.
You: Is there any discount on this jacket?
Staff: I can give you ten percent off.
You: Can you make it a little more?
Staff: Okay, fifteen percent, final.
You: Done, I'll take it. Thank you.
If they say there is no discount, just say "Okay, no problem." You stay polite and there is no awkward
moment. Asking never costs you anything.
How do I ask about returns and exchanges?
Ask "Can I return this if it doesn't fit?" before you pay. Knowing the return rule first saves you
trouble later.
- "Can I return this if it doesn't fit?"
- "What's your return policy?"
- "Can I exchange it for another size?"
- "How many days do I have to return it?"
- "Do I need the bill for a return?"
Ask these at the counter, before paying, so there are no surprises at home.
You: If this doesn't fit at home, can I return it?
Staff: Yes, within seven days with the bill.
You: Can I exchange it for a different size instead?
Staff: Yes, exchange is fine too.
You: Great. Please keep the bill in the bag.
If you come back to return something, the line is easy: "Hi, I'd like to return this. Here's the
bill." Calm and short does the job.
How do I pay and finish?
Say how you want to pay, then thank them. The closing of any shopping trip is just one or two lines.
- "Can I pay by card?"
- "Do you take UPI?"
- "Can I get a bag, please?"
- "Could I have the bill?"
- "Thank you, that's all."
Common mistakes to avoid
❌ Paying the first price without asking for a discount. ✅ "Is there any discount on this?"
❌ Buying without checking the return rule. ✅ "Can I return this if it doesn't fit?"
❌ Going silent when you don't catch the price. ✅ "Sorry, how much again?"
❌ Pointing and mumbling. ✅ "Can I see that one, please?"
You can adjust your tone by shop. In a big branded store, full polite lines fit best. In a small
local shop or market, short lines like "How much?" and "Any discount?" are perfectly normal. The
core phrases stay the same; you just add or drop "please" to match the place.
Say it out loud (2-minute practice)
This drill makes shopping phrases automatic. Run it once a day:
- Imagine you're holding something you want to buy, like a shirt.
- Ask the price out loud, then answer yourself as the shopkeeper.
- Ask for a bigger size, and reply as the staff offering one.
- Ask for a discount in a friendly tone, and negotiate one line back.
- Ask about returns, then say how you'll pay.
- Run the full mini-dialogue twice more, a little smoother each time.
Two minutes a day moves these phrases from your head into your mouth, ready for the real shop. If
you want a warm, guided place to rehearse these conversations with kind feedback, the
FirstWords spoken English course is built for this kind
of everyday practice.
A quick word on the fear
The fear whispers, "If I ask too many questions, they'll think I'm a bother or judge my English."
But picture the shopkeeper's day. They answer price and size questions hundreds of times. They want
you to buy, so your questions are welcome, not annoying. Nobody is grading your grammar at a
counter; they just want to make the sale. When you ask clearly, you often get a better price and the
right size, things silence never gives you. Be kind to yourself. Every question you ask is a small
act of courage that gets easier each time. Speaking up is your right as a customer.
Mini-FAQ
What if I don't catch the price they say?
Just ask again: "Sorry, how much was that?" Repeating a price is completely normal in a busy shop.
You can also ask them to write it down or show it on a calculator.
Is it okay to bargain in English?
Yes. "Can you give me a better price?" is a polite, common way to bargain. Keep your tone light and
friendly, and accept "no" gracefully if that is the answer.
What if I want to leave without buying?
Say "I'll think about it, thank you" and walk out. You are never obligated to buy after asking. This
is a normal, polite way to end the chat.
How do I return something confidently?
Open with "Hi, I'd like to return this, here's the bill." Stay calm and short. If they ask why,
"It didn't fit" or "It's faulty" is enough.
Your next step
Shopping in English is just five small skills: asking price, size, discount, return, and how to pay.
You now have the exact phrases for each one. Pick one script, rehearse it tonight, and use it on
your next trip to the market or mall. Each time you ask for what you want, the next shop feels
easier. If you want a kind, judgment-free place to practise these conversations out loud, explore
the FirstWords English program and take it one clear
question at a time.
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