Buying and exchanging clothes in English
Can I try this on in a medium?
“Can I put this on in size medium?”
When: In the store, before you pay for the jacket
The moment
You are shopping for a jacket at a store in Union Square, New York: find your size, try it on and pay by card. Two days later you come back to the same store because the jacket is too small, and you want to exchange it.
A1 · Unit 5 · Shopping · Checkpoint
This is the unit’s checkpoint: one roleplay that puts the unit’s scenes together.
The lines
Getting the right fit
Put your size in the question: 'Can I try this on in a medium?' You ask for the size and the fitting room at once. If it doesn't fit, ask for another size.
Can I try this on in a medium?
“Can I put this on in size medium?”
When to use it: In the store, before you pay for the jacket
What you’ll hear back: Of course. Fitting rooms are in the back on the left.
Coming back to exchange
Say 'I'd like to exchange this' and show your receipt. Then say why, like 'It's too small.' The worker will find you a new size.
I'd like to exchange this.
“I want to change this for a different one.”
When to use it: At the register, days later, with the jacket and receipt
What you’ll hear back: Sure thing. What size do you need? (Yes, of course. Which size?)
Words for this scene
| Word or phrase | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Can I pay with my phone? | kan-ai PAY with mai FOHN | Is it OK to use my phone to pay? |
Great, I'll take it. Can I pay with my phone? Good, I will buy it. Is it OK to use my phone to pay? Tip: Say 'No, thanks' if they offer a store credit card. | ||
| Can you email me the receipt? | kin-yuh EE-mayl mee thuh ri-SEET | Please send the paper that shows what I paid to my email. |
No paper, please. Can you email me the receipt? I don't want paper. Please send it to my email. Tip: An emailed receipt counts too. Show it on your phone. | ||
| Here's my receipt. | HEERZ my ri-SEET | This is the paper that shows I bought it here. |
I bought it on Saturday. Here's my receipt. I got it on Saturday. This is the paper from the store. Tip: Keep tags on clothes until you are sure you'll keep them. | ||
Your objective
Ask for your size and try it on, pay by card, then come back, say what’s wrong and ask to exchange it.
- your size
- paying by card
- an exchange
Lines that get it done
- Can I try this on in a medium?
- I'd like to exchange this.
In the live scene the objective stays on screen, and the Replay afterwards says whether you got it done.
Check yourself
1. The jacket is too big, and you want a smaller size. What do you ask?
- Do you have this in a small?
- Do you have a small this?
- Is this small for you?
- Can I small this?
Show the answer
Do you have this in a small?
'Do you have this in a small?' asks for the same jacket in another size.
2. You're back at the store. The worker says 'Hi! How can I help you?' What do you say?
- I'd like to exchange this. It's too small.
- I'd like to try this on. It's too small.
- I'd like to take it. It fits great.
- I'd like to pay cash. It's too small.
Show the answer
I'd like to exchange this. It's too small.
Say what you want (an exchange) and the problem (too small).
3. The worker asks 'Do you have the receipt?' You have it. What do you say?
- Yes, here's my receipt.
- Yes, can I get a receipt?
- Yes, I'll pay cash.
- Yes, it doesn't work.
Show the answer
Yes, here's my receipt.
'Here's my receipt' means you are giving it to the worker now.