Picture scene

French bookshop vocabulary: explore the shelves and counter

Explore ten bookshop objects and areas in French, follow a customer looking for a book, and check which shelf or counter they need.

In short

A bookshop is une librairie. Look for le rayon (section), l’étagère (shelf unit) and le comptoir (counter). Explore ten things in the shop, then help Emma find a book and pay for it.

A bookseller places two entirely blank-covered books in a paper bag at a French bookshop counter, with unlettered shelves behind.
Emma takes her books to le comptoir. Illustration: Atelier

Inside the bookshop

A welcoming small bookshop viewed from the doorway, slightly above eye level. On the left is a broad front window with books, followed by a low new-book display
Three places to ask for
FrenchEnglish
Où est le rayon des romans ?Where is the novel section?
C’est sur quelle étagère ?Which shelf is it on?
Je paie à la caisse ?Do I pay at the till?

Une bibliothèque is a library; une librairie sells books. In the scene, la caisse is the till on top of le comptoir. These name two different things, even though both can help you find the place to pay.

Un cadeau pour Emma

Emma entre dans la librairie. Elle regarde la vitrine, puis la table de présentation. Elle cherche un livre pour son frère. « Bonjour, où sont les bandes dessinées, s’il vous plaît ? » La libraire montre le coin des enfants1, au fond à gauche.

Emma choisit une bande dessinée. Pour elle-même, elle prend aussi le roman rouge sur l’étagère de droite. Elle va au comptoir2. La libraire met les deux livres dans un sac en papier3. Emma paie et dit : « Merci, bonne journée ! »

Read it in English

Emma enters the bookshop. She looks at the window, then the display table. She is looking for a book for her brother. “Hello, where are the comics, please?” The bookseller points to the children’s corner, at the back on the left.

Emma chooses a comic. For herself, she also takes the red novel from the shelving on the right. She goes to the counter. The bookseller puts the two books in a paper bag. Emma pays and says, “Thank you, have a good day!”

Question 1No account needed
Where does Emma find the comic?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

dans le coin des enfants. The bookseller points Emma to le coin des enfants, at the back on the left.

Question 2No account needed
Which book does Emma choose for herself?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

le roman rouge. Emma takes le roman rouge for herself; the comic is for her brother.

Question 3No account needed
Which object holds the books when she leaves?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

le sac en papier. The bookseller puts both purchases in un sac en papier.