A1 — Shopping Basics: Theory
Level A1
Shopping & money
Real-life English
Goal
Talk about shops and prices, ask for things in a shop, and pay in cash or by card in English.
Where do you go shopping?
- shop — general word: a clothes shop, a shoe shop.
- supermarket — food and drinks in one big shop.
- market — many small stands, often outside.
- shopping centre (mall) — many shops in one building.
- Example: We go to the supermarket on Saturday.
Talking about prices
- Question: How much is it? (one thing)
- Question: How much are these shoes? (plural)
- cheap — not much money: This T-shirt is cheap.
- expensive — a lot of money: That bag is expensive.
- Money words: dollars, euros, pounds, etc.
Useful questions in a shop
- Can I help you? — question from the shop assistant.
- I’m just looking, thanks. — you don’t want help now.
- Can I try it on? — you want to put on clothes/shoes.
- Where is the fitting room? — ask for the place to try clothes.
- Do you have this in size M? — ask for a different size.
Paying for things
- Ways to pay: I’d like to pay in cash. / Can I pay by card?
- cash — coins and notes.
- card — bank card.
- receipt — small paper with the price.
- change — money you get back: Here is your change.
Vocabulary — 30 shopping words & phrases
1. shop
I work in a clothes shop.
2. supermarket
We buy food at the supermarket.
3. market
The market is very busy.
4. shopping centre (mall)
There are many shops in the shopping centre.
5. bakery
I buy bread at the bakery.
6. pharmacy (chemist)
You can buy medicine at the pharmacy.
7. clothes shop
This clothes shop is cheap.
8. shoe shop
We go to the shoe shop for new trainers.
9. cashier
The cashier takes your money.
10. customer
The customer wants a bigger size.
11. basket
Put the milk in the basket.
12. trolley (cart)
Our trolley is full.
13. price
The price is 20 euros.
14. sale
There is a big sale this weekend.
15. discount
We get a 10% discount.
16. cheap
These T-shirts are cheap.
17. expensive
That watch is very expensive.
18. cash
I usually pay in cash.
19. card
Can I pay by card?
20. change
Here is your change.
21. receipt
Keep the receipt, please.
22. size
What size are these jeans?
23. small (S)
I need a small size.
24. medium (M)
Medium is good for me.
25. large (L)
These trousers are large.
26. try on
I want to try on this jacket.
27. fitting room
The fitting room is over there.
28. open
The shop is open.
29. closed
The supermarket is closed on Sunday night.
30. to buy
I want to buy a new bag.
Tip: say full “shopping chunks”, not only single words: try on a T-shirt, pay by card, a big sale.
Booster — 20 extra shopping words & phrases
1. queue (line)
There is a long queue at the checkout.
2. checkout
We go to the checkout to pay.
3. special offer
These apples are on special offer.
4. wallet
My money is in my wallet.
5. purse
She has coins in her purse.
6. shopping bag
Do you need a shopping bag?
7. shopping list
Let’s make a shopping list.
8. shop assistant
The shop assistant is very friendly.
9. too big
These shoes are too big.
10. too small
This T-shirt is too small.
11. to fit
These jeans fit well.
12. to return
I want to return this shirt.
13. refund
Can I get a refund?
14. price tag
The price tag is on the back.
15. cash desk
Pay at the cash desk, please.
16. online shop
I often buy clothes in an online shop.
17. to order
We order food online.
18. delivery
Delivery is free today.
19. free (no money)
This bag is free.
20. That’s all, thanks.
That’s all, thanks. Can I pay now?
Tip: listen carefully to questions like Anything else? or Do you need a bag? and prepare short answers: No, that’s all, thanks.
Mini-dialogues
- A: Can I help you? — B: Yes, I’d like a white T-shirt, size M.
- A: How much are these shoes? — B: They’re 45 euros.
- A: Can I pay by card? — B: Yes, of course. Here is your receipt.
Conversation pattern
- A: Hello. Can I try this jacket on?
- B: Sure. The fitting room is over there.
- A: It’s good. I’ll take it. Can I pay in cash?
- B: Yes. It’s 40 euros. Here is your change and receipt.
Focus on clear “shopping scripts” you can reuse: question + answer + polite ending: Thank you. / You’re welcome.