【 Podcast NIHONGO CANDY #111 】 服を買う(Fuku o kau) - Going Shopping for Clothes

Introduction

Today's topic is 「ふくをかう」Going shopping for clothes. By the end of this episode, you'll know the essential phrases for shopping for clothes in Japan, from browsing to trying on clothes to making your purchase.

Section 1: When Looking at Items in the Store

When you enter a clothing store, you'll start browsing the items. Let's learn the essential expressions for this situation.

Store staff will often greet you with 「いらっしゃいませ」 (Welcome). If they ask 「なにか　おさがしですか」 (Are you looking for something specific?), you can respond in several ways. If you're just browsing, say 「みてるだけです」 (I'm just looking). If you're looking for something specific, you can say 「くろいシャツを　さがしています」 (I'm looking for a black shirt).

When looking at clothes, you'll want to check the size. Sizes in Japan are often different from other countries. You can ask 「Mサイズはありますか」 (Do you have this in size M?). Japanese sizes typically use 「エスサイズ」「エムサイズ」「エルサイズ」「エックスエルサイズ」, which are "size S," "size M," "size L," and "size XL," or numbers like 「9号」「11号」, meaning "size 9" and "size 11," for women's clothing.

You might also want to ask about colors. Use 「ほかのいろは　ありますか」 (Do you have this in other colors?). Common colors include 「くろ」 (black), 「しろ」 (white), 「グレー」 (gray), 「こん」 (navy blue), 「ちゃいろ」 (brown), 「あか」 (red), and 「あお」 (blue).

If you want to know the price, ask 「これはいくらですか」 (How much is this?). You might also see 「セール中」 (on sale) or 「割引」 (discount) signs in the store. It's good to know that "san-wari-biki" (3割引き) doesn't mean 3% off. "San-wari-biki" means 30% off, and "go-wari-biki" (5わりびき) means 50% off. When you see discount signs, you can ask 「なんパーセントオフですか」or「なんわりびきですか」 (What percentage discount is it?) or 「セールはいつまでですか」 (Until when is the sale?).

Section 2: From Trying On to Purchase

Once you find something you like, you'll probably want to try it on. Let's learn the essential expressions for trying on clothes and making a purchase.

To ask about trying on clothes, say 「しちゃくできますか」 (Can I try this on?). The staff will show you to the 「しちゃくしつ」 (fitting room). They might say 「こちらへどうぞ」 (This way, please).

The store staff will check the items in your shopping basket and say 「3ちゃくですね。シャツをごしちゃくのさいは、こちらのカバーをおつかいください」 which means "You have 3 items. When trying on shirts, please use this disposable cover." 「ちゃく」 is the counter used for counting clothes.

In the fitting room, you'll discover if the clothes fit properly. If something doesn't fit, you can ask for a different size. Say 「おおきいのはありますか」 (Do you have this in a larger size?) or 「ちいさいのはありますか」 (Do you have this in a smaller size?).

When describing fit, you can use these expressions: 「きつい」 (tight), 「ゆるい」 (loose), 「ちょうどいい」 (just right), 「ながい」 (long), or 「みじかい」 (short).

If you like what you tried on and want to buy it, say 「これをください」 (I'll take this) or 「これにします」 (I'll go with this). If you tried on multiple items and decide to buy them all, you can say 「ぜんぶください」 (I'll take them all).

When paying, the staff will ask 「おしはらいはどうされますか」 (How would you like to pay?). You can respond with 「げんきんで」 (cash), 「カードで」 (by card), or ask 「Apple Payは　たいじょうぶですか」 (Is Apple Pay okay?).

Usually, you'll be asked 「このままでよろしいですか」 which means "Is this okay as it is? Do you not need a bag or gift wrapping?" If you want a bag, say 「ふくろ、おねがいします」. If you need gift wrapping, say 「ラッピング　おねがいします」.

Section 3: Payment and Other Services

Many stores have return policies. You can say 「へんぴん　おねがいします」 (I'd like to return this) or 「こうかん　おねがいします」 (I'd like to exchange this).

Some stores offer loyalty programs. They might ask 「メンバーズカードは　おもちですか」 (Do you have a membership card?) or 「メンバーズカードを　おつくりになりますか」 (Would you like to make a membership card?).

Section 4: Let's Practice

Situation 1: You enter the store and the staff asks if you're looking for something. You want to say you're looking for a black shirt.

「くろいシャツを　さがしています」(I'm looking for a black shirt)

Situation 2: You tried something on but it's a bit tight. You want to ask if they have it in a larger size.

「おおきいのは　ありますか」(Do you have this in a larger size?)

Situation 3: You liked all the clothes you tried on and want to buy them all.

「ぜんぶ　ください」(I'll take them all)

Situation 4: At checkout, you're asked about bags and wrapping. You only want a bag.

「ふくろ、おねがいします」(A bag, please)

Closing

Tシャツを　きます put on a T-shirt　くつを　はきます put on shoes　ぼうしを　かぶります put on a hat　とけいを　つけます wear a watch.

しちゃくしたいときは、　きてもいいですか　はいてもいいですか　かぶってもいいですか　つけてもいいですか　になります。でも、どうしを　わすれたときは、　いいですか　だけでも　だいじょうぶです。