Goal
You’ll be able to handle a basic shopping conversation, including asking about price and understanding common shopping phrases.
Learn
Common shopping phrases:
How much is this? That will be twenty dollars. Do you accept credit cards? Can I try this on? (for clothing) I'm just looking, thank you. (when browsing, not ready to buy)
Money amounts are typically said with the currency unit between the whole number and any smaller unit: five dollars and fifty cents, often shortened in speech to five fifty.
A genuinely useful phrase for browsing without commitment: I’m just looking, thank you. — a polite, standard way to let a salesperson know you don’t need help yet, without seeming rude. This is culturally significant vocabulary, not just a translation exercise — using it appropriately avoids an awkward interaction where a salesperson expects you to either ask a specific question or explain you don’t need assistance.
Decision Task
A salesperson approaches you while you’re browsing, and you’re not ready to buy anything or ask a specific question yet. Before reading on: what would be a polite, standard phrase to use in this situation?
Show Answer
I’m just looking, thank you. — this is the standard, polite way to indicate you’re browsing without needing immediate help, avoiding an awkward silence or seeming to ignore the salesperson.
Common Mistake
Not knowing a polite way to decline immediate help while browsing, which can create an awkward interaction where a salesperson isn’t sure whether to keep offering assistance. I’m just looking, thank you. is genuinely useful, standard vocabulary for exactly this common situation.
Practice Questions
1. How would you ask the price of an item?
Show Answer
How much is this?
2. How would you ask if a store accepts credit cards?
Show Answer
Do you accept credit cards?
3. What phrase would you use to try on a piece of clothing?
Show Answer
Can I try this on?
4. How would you say $5.50 in a natural, shortened way?
Show Answer
Five fifty.
5. What is a polite way to tell a salesperson you’re browsing, not ready to buy?
Show Answer
I’m just looking, thank you.
Try It Yourself
Without looking back, write a short shopping exchange: ask the price of an item, and write a reasonable response giving a price.
Show Answer
For example: How much is this? / That will be fifteen dollars.
Quick Check
1. How do you ask the price of something?
Show Answer
How much is this?
2. How do you ask if a store takes credit cards?
Show Answer
Do you accept credit cards?
3. What phrase lets a salesperson know you’re just browsing?
Show Answer
I’m just looking, thank you.
4. How would you say $5.50 in natural spoken English?
Show Answer
Five fifty.
5. What phrase would you use to try on clothing?
Show Answer
Can I try this on?