English Learning: Shopping Vocabulary for Beginners

Dialogue

Alice: Oh, Bob! Fancy meeting you here. What a surprise!

Bob: Alice! You look like you just wrestled a shopping cart and won. What’s in the bags?

Alice: Haha, very funny. I just went on a little shopping spree at the mall. My wallet is crying!

Bob: A ‘little’ spree? Those bags look heavy. Did you buy everything?

Alice: Not everything, but I found some great deals! Look, I got this amazing new sweater.

Bob: Hmm, nice pattern. How much was it?

Alice: It was originally $50, but it was on sale for 30% off! What a bargain!

Bob: Wow, that’s a good discount. Did you try it on?

Alice: Of course! The fitting room was a bit crowded, but it’s the perfect size. It fits like a glove!

Bob: Good. Anything else interesting that drained your bank account?

Alice: Oh, yes! A new pair of comfy sneakers and a funny mug for my morning coffee.

Bob: Sounds like a very successful trip. Did you pay with cash or card?

Alice: Card. And I made sure to get the receipt in case I need to return anything. You never know!

Bob: Smart thinking. My wallet feels lighter just hearing about your shopping!

Alice: Don’t worry, Bob. Next time, we can go window shopping together and just look! No money needed!

Current Situation

Shopping is a common activity for everyone, whether it’s for food, clothes, or gifts. With the rise of online stores and large shopping malls, it’s easier than ever to find what you need or want. Knowing basic shopping vocabulary is very useful, not just for buying things, but also for asking about prices, understanding sales, and even returning items if they’re not right. Whether you prefer to browse physical stores or click through online shops, these words will help you navigate the world of retail!

Key Phrases

• Shopping spree: A period of buying many things, often enthusiastically.
  • Example: “After getting her bonus, she went on a shopping spree and bought many new clothes.”
• On sale: Available at a lower price than usual.
  • Example: “These shoes are on sale today, so they are much cheaper.”
• Bargain: Something bought for less than the usual price; a very good deal.
  • Example: “I got this shirt for only $5, it was a real bargain!”
• Discount: A reduction in the usual price of something.
  • Example: “Students often get a discount at this book store.”
• Try on: To put on clothes (or shoes) to see if they fit and look good.
  • Example: “Can I try on this dress, please? I need to check the size.”
• Fitting room: A small room in a shop where people can try on clothes.
  • Example: “The fitting room is over there, next to the mirrors.”
• Pay (with cash/card): To give money for something you buy.
  • Example: “I want to pay with my credit card.”
• Receipt: A piece of paper that shows that you have paid for something.
  • Example: “Please keep your receipt in case you need to return the item.”
• Return: To take an item back to the store where it was bought, usually for a refund or exchange.
  • Example: “This shirt is too small, I need to return it.”
• Window shopping: To look at items in shop windows without intending to buy them.
  • Example: “Let’s go window shopping today; I don’t have money to spend.”

Grammar Points

• Present Simple (for facts, habits, routines):
  • We use the present simple for actions that happen regularly or are generally true.
  • Example: “She goes shopping every Saturday.” (A regular habit)
  • Example: “Students often get a discount.” (A general truth)
• Imperative (for commands, requests, suggestions):
  • The base form of the verb is used to tell someone to do something.
  • Example: “Keep your receipt.” (A command/advice)
  • Example: “Let’s go window shopping.” (A suggestion)
• “How much…?” (for asking about prices):
  • This is a common question used to ask about the cost of an item.
  • Example: “How much was the sweater?”
  • Example: “How much do these shoes cost?”
• Prepositions of place and manner (in shopping contexts):
  • Prepositions help connect ideas about location, time, or how something is done.
  • Example: “The sweater was on sale.” (Location of sale status)
  • Example: “I paid with my card.” (Manner of payment)
  • Example: “It was for 30% off.” (Reason/extent of discount)

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blank

Complete the sentences with the best word from the list below:

(receipt, on sale, return, fitting room, pay)

1. I need to find the __________ to try on this jacket.
2. This dress is __________ today, it’s 50% off!
3. Don’t forget to get the __________ when you buy something.
4. You can __________ with cash or a credit card.
5. This shirt is too big; I need to __________ it.

Exercise 2: Match the Term to its Definition

Match each shopping term with its correct definition.

1. Bargain
2. Discount
3. Try on
4. Window shopping

• ___ To put on clothes to see if they fit.
• ___ A reduction in price.
• ___ Looking at shop items without intending to buy.
• ___ Something bought cheaply; a good deal.

Exercise 3: Create a Sentence

Write one sentence using each of the following phrases:

1. shopping spree: __________________________________________________________________
2. on sale: __________________________________________________________________

Answers

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blank

1. fitting room
2. on sale
3. receipt
4. pay
5. return

Exercise 2: Match the Term to its Definition

• c. To put on clothes to see if they fit. (Try on)
• b. A reduction in price. (Discount)
• d. Looking at shop items without intending to buy. (Window shopping)
• a. Something bought cheaply; a good deal. (Bargain)

Exercise 3: Create a Sentence (Example Answers)

1. After winning the lottery, he went on a huge shopping spree.
2. I bought this new phone because it was on sale last week.