Bedeutung
Buy items, typically in a store.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The 'Soldes' are a major cultural event. People plan their 'achats' months in advance to get discounts of up to 70%. In Quebec, the verb 'magasiner' is used instead of 'faire des achats'. It is very common and sounds natural to Canadians but 'foreign' to Europeans. In many French-speaking African countries, 'faire des achats' often involves bargaining (marchander) at local markets, which is less common in French boutiques. Paris is the world capital of 'achats de luxe'. The 'Triangle d'Or' is where people go for high-end purchases.
The 'Food' Rule
Always remember: Food = Courses. Everything else = Achats.
Silent Letters
The 't' and 's' at the end of 'achats' are never pronounced.
Bedeutung
Buy items, typically in a store.
The 'Food' Rule
Always remember: Food = Courses. Everything else = Achats.
Silent Letters
The 't' and 's' at the end of 'achats' are never pronounced.
Use 'en ligne'
Add 'en ligne' to sound modern when talking about Amazon or other websites.
The 'Soldes' timing
If you say you're 'faisant des achats' in January or July, everyone assumes you're looking for discounts.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct phrase for buying a new dress.
Pour mon mariage, je vais _______.
A dress is a non-essential/special item, so 'faire des achats' is correct. 'Faire les courses' is for groceries.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'faire'.
Hier, nous _______ des achats au centre-ville.
The word 'Hier' (yesterday) requires the passé composé.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
You are at a boutique looking for a gift.
Buying a gift in a boutique is the perfect context for 'faire des achats'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Tu viens au supermarché ? B: Non, je n'ai pas besoin de manger, je vais plutôt en ville pour _______.
The speaker contrasts the supermarket (food) with going to town for other items.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Shopping vs. Groceries
Where to 'Faire des Achats'
Lieux
- • Centre-commercial
- • Boutique
- • En ligne
- • Magasin
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenPour mon mariage, je vais _______.
A dress is a non-essential/special item, so 'faire des achats' is correct. 'Faire les courses' is for groceries.
Hier, nous _______ des achats au centre-ville.
The word 'Hier' (yesterday) requires the passé composé.
You are at a boutique looking for a gift.
Buying a gift in a boutique is the perfect context for 'faire des achats'.
A: Tu viens au supermarché ? B: Non, je n'ai pas besoin de manger, je vais plutôt en ville pour _______.
The speaker contrasts the supermarket (food) with going to town for other items.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenYes, if you are buying exactly one specific thing, but 'faire des achats' is the general idiom for the activity.
No, it's very common in France, especially among young people, but 'faire des achats' is more traditional and formal.
'Achat' is neutral and modern. 'Emplette' is old-fashioned and usually refers to small, pleasant purchases.
The phrase is 'faire du lèche-vitrine'.
Always use 'faire' for the activity of shopping.
Yes, it's the standard term for procurement or purchasing in a professional setting.
It means 'the shopping cart' on a website.
Usually, for big things like a house or car, we use the verb 'acheter' directly: 'J'achète une maison'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
faire les courses
contrastTo go grocery shopping
faire du shopping
synonymTo go shopping (Anglicism)
faire les magasins
similarTo hit the shops
faire des emplettes
similarTo go shopping (charming/old-fashioned)
le pouvoir d'achat
builds onPurchasing power
