A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I'd like to exchange this" in French
Politely ask to exchange an item in a shop in France.
Je voudrais échanger ceci.
zhuh voo-DRAY ay-SHAHN-zhay suh-SEEneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when you've bought something and realized it's not right, or you've changed your mind. You'll say this to a shop assistant after showing them the item.
Alternatives
- Je veux échanger ça.Slightly more direct, less formal.
- Je voudrais faire un échange.Focuses on the action of exchanging rather than the item.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'échanger' like 'ex-CHANGE-er'
The 'é' is like the 'ay' in 'say', and the 'ch' is like 'sh'.
Forgetting the 'd' in 'voudrais'
It's 'voo-DRAY', not 'voo-RAY'. The 'd' is pronounced.
A small cultural note
While 'échanger' is standard, some smaller shops might prefer 'changer' (to change) if you're simply swapping for a different size or color of the same item.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
What if I want to return something instead of exchange?
You would say 'Je voudrais retourner ceci.' This specifically means you want to give the item back for a refund.
How to say 'this' in French when shopping?
When pointing to or holding an item, 'ceci' or 'ça' are common. 'Ceci' is slightly more formal than 'ça'.
Can I use 'Je veux' instead of 'Je voudrais'?
'Je veux' means 'I want' and can sound demanding. 'Je voudrais' ('I would like') is much more polite and recommended.
