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Exchange clothes in French when the new size arrives too late

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Ask for a different jacket size in French, explain why Monday is too late and try another colour. Phrases, picture vocabulary and three practice questions.

In short

Say what must stay fixed and what can change: Il me faut une taille M avant samedi. Une autre couleur me convient. When the ordered jacket arrives too late, ask what is available now in the right size.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

Nous sommes jeudi. Adam a une fête samedi. Sa veste bleue en taille S est trop petite. Il peut changer de couleur, mais il lui faut une taille M avant samedi.

It is Thursday. Adam has a party on Saturday. His blue size-S jacket is too small. He can change colour, but needs a size M before Saturday.

At the clothes counter

1

Explain the fit and show the receipt

YouBonjour, j’ai acheté cette veste ici, mais elle est trop petite.Hello, I bought this jacket here, but it is too small.
YouJe voudrais l’échanger contre une taille M, s’il vous plaît.I would like to exchange it for a size M, please.
Shop assistantVous avez le ticket de caisse ?Do you have the receipt?
YouOui, le voici.Yes, here it is.
2

The same colour will arrive after the party

The party is this Saturday; the delivery is the following Monday.

Shop assistantJe peux commander la veste bleue en M. Elle arrivera lundi prochain, après votre fête.I can order the blue jacket in M. It will arrive next Monday, after your party.
YouLundi, ce sera trop tard. Il me faut la veste avant samedi.Monday will be too late. I need the jacket before Saturday.
YouAvez-vous une autre couleur en M disponible maintenant ?Do you have another colour in M available now?
Shop assistantOui, j’ai une veste verte en M. Elle coûte le même prix.Yes, I have a green jacket in M. It costs the same.
3

Try the alternative before choosing

YouEst-ce que je peux l’essayer ?Can I try it on?
Shop assistantBien sûr. La cabine est au fond, à droite.Of course. The fitting room is at the back, on the right.
YouMerci, je vais voir si elle me va.Thank you, I will see whether it fits me.
Two features to keep, one to change
FeatureAdam’s limitUseful French
SizeMIl me faut une taille M.
TimeBefore SaturdayJ’en ai besoin avant samedi.
ColourFlexibleUne autre couleur me convient.

L’essayer refers to the jacket; the following infinitive means “try on” here. In elle me va, va describes the fit. The exchange ends with Adam going to try the green jacket, so his next action is a fitting.

Question 1No account needed
Why is the blue size M unsuitable?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

It arrives after the party.. The shop gives Monday after the party as the delivery date.

Question 2No account needed
The green jacket is also unavailable. What should Adam ask?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Avez-vous un autre modèle en M pour avant samedi ?. Another model in M before Saturday keeps both the size and timing needs.

Question 3No account needed
What has Adam agreed to at the end?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Try on the green jacket. He says he will see whether the green jacket fits before choosing.

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