Meaning
To visit stores to buy goods.
Cultural Background
Shopping is highly seasonal due to the 'Soldes' (state-regulated sales). It's also a very social activity often involving a break for coffee or lunch. The term 'magasiner' is preferred to avoid Anglicisms. Using 'faire du shopping' might sound very 'European' or 'French from France'. Similar to France, but you might hear 'faire des courses' used more broadly for all types of shopping in some regions, though 'shopping' is still common. In French-speaking Switzerland, 'faire du shopping' is common, but there is a strong emphasis on high-quality, local boutiques.
The 'Du' Rule
Always remember it's 'faire DU shopping'. Using 'le' or 'un' is a dead giveaway that you're a beginner.
Grocery Trap
Don't tell your French host you're going 'shopping' if you're just picking up a baguette. They'll be very confused!
Meaning
To visit stores to buy goods.
The 'Du' Rule
Always remember it's 'faire DU shopping'. Using 'le' or 'un' is a dead giveaway that you're a beginner.
Grocery Trap
Don't tell your French host you're going 'shopping' if you're just picking up a baguette. They'll be very confused!
Quebec Variation
If you're in Montreal, use 'magasiner'. It sounds much more natural to the local ear.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'faire' and the article.
Le samedi, nous ________ ________ shopping au centre commercial.
'Nous' requires the conjugation 'faisons', and the phrase always uses 'du'.
Which sentence is correct for grocery shopping?
I need to buy milk and bread.
'Faire les courses' is specifically for food and household necessities.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Tu veux aller au centre-ville ? B: Oui, je veux ________ ________ shopping.
After 'vouloir', we use the infinitive 'faire'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are looking at clothes but have no money to buy them.
'Lèche-vitrine' (window shopping) is for looking without buying.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Shopping vs. Courses
Faire du shopping
- • Vêtements
- • Chaussures
- • Cadeaux
- • Loisirs
Faire les courses
- • Pain
- • Lait
- • Légumes
- • Savon
Practice Bank
4 exercisesLe samedi, nous ________ ________ shopping au centre commercial.
'Nous' requires the conjugation 'faisons', and the phrase always uses 'du'.
I need to buy milk and bread.
'Faire les courses' is specifically for food and household necessities.
A: Tu veux aller au centre-ville ? B: Oui, je veux ________ ________ shopping.
After 'vouloir', we use the infinitive 'faire'.
You are looking at clothes but have no money to buy them.
'Lèche-vitrine' (window shopping) is for looking without buying.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is masculine. That's why we say 'du shopping' (de + le).
No, you must use the verb 'faire'. You can say 'aller faire du shopping'.
They are almost identical. 'Faire du shopping' is slightly more modern/trendy, while 'faire les magasins' is more traditional.
The phrase is 'faire du lèche-vitrine', which literally means 'licking the windows'.
It's a bit casual. If you're talking about professional purchasing, use 'effectuer des achats'.
Yes, they say 'faire du shopping en ligne'.
In French, 'shopping' is treated as an uncountable activity, so we use the singular partitive 'du'.
They are the official, state-regulated sales periods in France that happen twice a year.
Usually, no. For big purchases like a car or a house, we use 'acheter' or 'chercher'.
It's very common in Europe and Africa, but less so in Quebec where 'magasiner' is preferred.
Related Phrases
Faire les courses
contrastTo go grocery shopping
Faire du lèche-vitrine
specialized formWindow shopping
Faire les magasins
synonymTo go shopping
Une séance de shopping
builds onA shopping session
