A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Do you have a smaller size" in French
Ask for a smaller size in French clothing stores with this essential shopping phrase.
Vous avez une taille plus petite ?
voo zah-VAY oon TAHY plew peh-TEETneutral
French TTS · 0:01
When you're trying on clothes and the current size doesn't fit, use this to ask the shop assistant if they have it in a smaller size. This is common in clothing boutiques and department stores.
Alternatives
- Tu as une taille plus petite ?Use this only if you know the shop assistant well and they've already addressed you with 'tu'.
- Est-ce qu'il y a une taille en dessous ?This is a slightly more indirect way to ask for a smaller size.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'petite'
The final 'e' in 'petite' is silent, so it sounds like 'peh-TEET', not 'peh-TEET-uh'.
Misplacing 'plus'
Say 'une taille plus petite' (a size more small), not 'une plus petite taille' (a more small size), though the latter is understandable.
A small cultural note
French sizing can differ from US or UK systems, so it's always best to try things on and ask for the correct size.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
What if I need a bigger size?
You can say 'Vous avez une taille plus grande ?' to ask for a larger size. This uses the same structure, just with 'grande' (bigger) instead of 'petite' (smaller).
How do I say 'I'm looking for a size X'?
You can say 'Je cherche la taille X' (I'm looking for size X), for example, 'Je cherche la taille 38'.
What if they don't have it?
They might say 'Désolé(e), nous n'avons pas.' (Sorry, we don't have it.) You can then ask if they have it in another color or style.
