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🇩🇪 GermanA1–A2

Essential German Shopping Phrases

This page gives you the core German you need for a normal shopping interaction in Germany: getting help in the store, asking whether something is in the right size or colour, trying it on, and then paying or returning it if needed. The phrases use the polite Sie form, which is the safe default with store staff you do not know. You will also see the short answers and directions you are likely to hear back.

Useful in real conversations

Essential German phrases

Getting help and finding items

Useful phrases for starting the conversation and locating the item you want.

  • Entschuldigung, können Sie mir helfen?

    Excuse me, can you help me?

  • Ich suche eine Jacke.

    I'm looking for a jacket.

  • Wo finde ich die Schuhe?

    Where can I find the shoes?

  • Können Sie mir das zeigen?

    Can you show me that?

  • Wo ist die Umkleidekabine?

    Where is the fitting room?

Price, size, colour, and stock

Ask the key questions about cost, size, colour, and whether something is still available.

  • Was kostet das?

    How much does that cost?

  • Haben Sie das in Größe M?

    Do you have that in size M?

  • Haben Sie das auch in Blau?

    Do you also have that in blue?

  • Haben Sie das noch in meiner Größe?

    Do you still have that in my size?

  • Ist es noch verfügbar?

    Is it still available?

Trying things on and choosing

Phrases for the fitting room and for deciding whether the item works for you.

  • Kann ich das anprobieren?

    Can I try this on?

  • Das passt mir nicht.

    That doesn't fit me.

  • Das ist zu klein.

    That is too small.

  • Das gefällt mir.

    I like that.

  • Ich nehme sie.

    I'll take it.

Paying, exchanging, and returning

Useful phrases for checkout and for a simple exchange or return.

  • Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?

    Can I pay by card?

  • Kann ich bar zahlen?

    Can I pay cash?

  • Brauche ich den Kassenbon?

    Do I need the receipt?

  • Ich möchte das umtauschen.

    I'd like to exchange this.

  • Ich möchte das zurückgeben.

    I'd like to return this.

Example conversations

Finding a jacket and paying

You are in a clothing store, need help finding the right jacket, and want to pay at the end.

  1. You

    Entschuldigung, können Sie mir helfen?

    Excuse me, can you help me?

  2. Other person

    Ja, gern. Was suchen Sie?

    Yes, of course. What are you looking for?

  3. You

    Ich suche eine Jacke in Größe M.

    I'm looking for a jacket in size M.

  4. Other person

    Hier ist eine. Möchten Sie sie anprobieren?

    Here is one. Would you like to try it on?

  5. You

    Ja, bitte. Wo ist die Umkleidekabine?

    Yes, please. Where is the fitting room?

  6. Other person

    Dort hinten links. Die Jacke kostet 49 Euro.

    Back there on the left. The jacket costs 49 euros.

  7. You

    Das gefällt mir. Ich nehme sie.

    I like it. I'll take it.

  8. Other person

    Super. Sie können mit Karte zahlen.

    Great. You can pay by card.

Returning an item and asking for an exchange

You bought something in the wrong size and want to exchange it in the store.

  1. You

    Entschuldigung, ich möchte das zurückgeben.

    Excuse me, I'd like to return this.

  2. Other person

    Haben Sie den Kassenbon dabei?

    Do you have the receipt with you?

  3. You

    Ja, hier. Das ist zu klein.

    Yes, here it is. This is too small.

  4. Other person

    Möchten Sie es umtauschen oder lieber zurückgeben?

    Would you like to exchange it or rather return it?

  5. You

    Ich möchte das umtauschen.

    I'd like to exchange this.

  6. Other person

    Gern. Welche Größe brauchen Sie?

    Of course. What size do you need?

  7. You

    Größe L, bitte.

    Size L, please.

  8. Other person

    Ja, einen Moment.

    Yes, one moment.

A few things to know

Register

polite by default

Use Sie with shop staff unless they invite you to use du. The phrases here are the standard polite forms for speaking to an unfamiliar person in a store.

grammar

Verb position in polite questions

In polite questions with Sie, the conjugated verb comes first: 'Können Sie mir helfen?' and 'Haben Sie das auch in Blau?'. Do not put the verb at the end as in a statement.

grammar

How German asks for sizes

When asking about size, German often uses 'in Größe M' or 'in meiner Größe', as in 'Haben Sie das in Größe M?' The preposition in is part of the size phrase.

Try it yourself

Choose the right phrase

Pick what you would say in each situation.

Question 1 of 3

  1. Question 1
  2. Question 2
  3. Question 3
You are standing in a store and need the staff to help you find the right rack. Which phrase would you start with?

Keep building your everyday vocabulary

More German phrase guides

German Introductions: Essential PhrasesGerman phrases for greeting someone, introducing yourself, asking basic questions, and ending a first conversation politely.German Restaurant and Café PhrasesGerman phrases for getting a table, ordering, checking ingredients, paying, and leaving politely in a restaurant or café in Germany.How to Ask for Directions in GermanEveryday German for politely asking where a place is, understanding simple route directions, checking what you heard, and thanking the person who helped you.German Hotel and Accommodation PhrasesEssential German for hotel check-in, room questions, problem reports, and checkout in Germany.German Public Transport PhrasesGerman phrases for getting around on buses and trains in Germany: finding the right service, buying a ticket, checking times and stops, making a transfer, and dealing with delays or confusion.

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