Swiss Miss » shopping

French foibles #12: How much does that cost?

Amanda — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:03:00 +0000

While I mostly mime things and point and say “s’il vous plait,” I am trying to leap over the hurdle of one-word phrases. Thus instead of saying “combien” (or “how much”) and pointing, I’ll say “How much does that cost, please?”

FRENCH: Combien ca coute, s’il vous plait?

French foibles #10: Do you have other sizes?

Amanda — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:19:26 +0000

photo credit: clemmac

To date, I’ve never dared ask a sales person for help. I tend to ruffle around the racks until I find something and say “I’m OK” if they offer to help. Thus, a new phrase: Do you have other sizes?

FRENCH: Est-ce que vous avez une autre taille?

French foibles #9: This is not correct

Amanda — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:36:41 +0000

I’ve had this string of bad luck where the cashier rings an item up twice or charges me $22 for one pear, etc. My midwestern roots tug at me and I, of course, go back to fix the error, which is discovered after I’ve paid.

Normally, I point at the receipt and point at my items in the bag, but today, I’ll try something new. “This is not correct.”

FRENCH: Ce n’est pas exact.