A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Small medium large" in French
Learn to ask for clothes or items in small, medium, or large sizes in French shops.
Petit, moyen, grand
puh-TEE, mwah-YEN, GRAHNneutral
French TTS · 0:01
When shopping for clothes, shoes, or even some food items like pizza, you'll need to specify your size. This phrase is your go-to for indicating what you're looking for.
Alternatives
- S, M, LOften used on clothing labels or when sizes are abbreviated.
- Taille S, taille M, taille LMore explicit, especially if there's any confusion about what S, M, or L refers to.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing the 't' in 'petit'
The final 't' in 'petit' is silent, so it sounds like 'puh-TEE'.
Nasal vowels
The 'en' in 'moyen' and 'an' in 'grand' are nasal sounds, which don't exist in English. Practice them to sound more natural.
A small cultural note
While 'petit, moyen, grand' are standard, French sizing for clothes can be different from English-speaking countries, so always double-check measurements.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How do I say 'extra large' in French?
You can say 'très grand' for very large, or sometimes 'XL' is used directly. For even larger, 'XXL' is also common.
What if they don't have my size?
You can ask 'Vous n'avez pas plus grand ?' (Don't you have bigger?) or 'Vous n'avez pas plus petit ?' (Don't you have smaller?).
Is there a difference between men's and women's sizes?
Yes, there are often separate sections for 'hommes' (men) and 'femmes' (women), and the sizing might differ slightly.
