French - Shopping: Exchanges

Lesson 157 of 159

A shopper at a French clothing store counter preparing to ask to exchange an item, helping English learners practice shopping French.

Goal: Ask politely to exchange an item

Free French lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

A quick, friendly lesson for when clothes don't fit or the color isn't right. We'll practice one very useful question you can use at any shop in France.

Level A1: In this short lesson (157) you'll learn and practice the polite store question to ask for an exchange: "Je peux échanger ___ ?" We'll listen, repeat, hear it in a short shop dialogue, and do quick quizzes to lock it in. CEFR-aligned and ready for real shopping trips.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Recognize and say the polite exchange question: "Je peux échanger ___ ?"
  • Use the phrase in a shop situation (wrong size, wrong color, or damaged item)
  • Understand a short customer-service dialogue and respond politely
  • Level A1: build confidence asking for simple help in French shops
Customer service desk in a French boutique, showing where you might ask "Je peux échanger ___ ?"

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

Je peux échanger ___ ?

Can I exchange ___?

Meaning: Can I exchange ___?

When to use: Use this polite question in a shop when you want to change an item you bought (wrong size, color, or damaged).

Tip: Beginners sometimes say 'retourner' instead of 'échanger'—use 'échanger' when you want a different item, not just to return it.

Je peux échanger ce pull ?
Can I exchange this sweater?
Je peux échanger la robe pour une taille plus grande ?
Can I exchange the dress for a larger size?

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

At the shop counter

Anna and a shop assistant talking at the service counter about exchanging a pair of trousers.

What does Anna want to do?

Portrait of Anna in a French lesson dialogue

Anna

Bonjour.

Hello.

Portrait of David in a French lesson dialogue

David

Bonjour, comment puis-je vous aider ?

Hello, how can I help you?

Portrait of Anna in a French lesson dialogue

Anna

J'ai acheté ce pantalon hier, il est trop petit. Je peux échanger ce pantalon ?

I bought these trousers yesterday; they're too small. Can I exchange these trousers?

Portrait of David in a French lesson dialogue

David

Bien sûr. Vous avez le ticket, s'il vous plaît ?

Of course. Do you have the receipt, please?

Portrait of Anna in a French lesson dialogue

Anna

Oui, le voici. Je peux échanger pour une taille plus grande ?

Yes, here it is. Can I exchange for a bigger size?

Portrait of David in a French lesson dialogue

David

Oui, allons aux cabines d'essayage.

Yes, let's go to the fitting rooms.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which English sentence matches "Je peux échanger ___ ?"

Which situation is best for saying this phrase?

Which phrase from the choices is the polite question you learned in this lesson?

If the shop assistant agrees to an exchange, which response fits best?

Hello, I bought this sweater yesterday, can I exchange it?

Bonjour, j'ai acheté ce pull hier, ___ ?

The dress is torn. Can I exchange the dress?

La robe est déchirée. ___ ?

Anna: I have the wrong color. Can I exchange this shirt? David: Yes, of course.

Anna: J'ai la mauvaise couleur. ___ ? David: Oui, bien sûr.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

Je peux échanger ___ ?

Can I exchange ___?