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I bought this jacket only yesterday, but it is too small when I put it on today. The sleeves are short, and I can hardly raise my arms. I carried it back to the shop and thought: What should I say in Chinese to ask the clerk to exchange it for me?
First, remember this: Do you have this in a larger size? If the size does not fit, you can also ask: Could I exchange it? Today, follow me from entering the shop to getting the right jacket, and practice these two phrases.
I am Xiaoyue, and I run a dessert shop in Hangzhou. Mornings have been a little cool lately, so I wanted a light jacket. After closing my shop yesterday afternoon, I walked into a clothing store near my home. There were many colors in the store, and a light-blue one caught my eye.
I usually wear a medium, so I asked the clerk for a medium. She said they had both medium and large. I was in a hurry and had to get home to care for Xiaohua, so I did not try it on. I paid, then put the jacket and receipt into the bag.
This morning, I was about to go out to buy supplies for my cakes. I put on the new jacket and looked in the mirror. The color was lovely, but the shoulders were tight. As soon as I raised my arms, the sleeves slid up. I liked the jacket, but the size really did not fit.
First, I found yesterday's receipt and checked the tag on the jacket. The tag was still attached, and I had not worn the jacket outside. I put it back in the bag and went to the store with the receipt. I wanted to ask for a larger size first, without rushing to ask for a refund.
When I entered, yesterday's clerk recognized me. I said: Hello, I bought this jacket here yesterday. Then I showed her the jacket and added: I tried it on at home and found it too small. That way, she immediately knew why I had come back.
The clerk asked: Would you like a different color? I shook my head and said: I really like the color, but the size does not fit. Do you have this in a larger size? She understood and went to look in the back. You can also replace larger with smaller, and the meaning changes.
She brought out a large jacket in the same color. Before saying I will take it, I asked: May I try it on? The clerk showed me to the fitting room. I put on the large, stood before the mirror, and raised my arms. The shoulders were no longer tight, and the sleeves were just right.
I came out smiling and said: This one fits well. Could you exchange it for me? The clerk first checked the tag on the jacket and then looked at my receipt. She said I could exchange this jacket because I had brought the receipt and had not worn the jacket outside.
I asked: Do I need to pay anything extra to exchange it? She told me the two jackets cost the same, so I did not need to pay more. I said: Great, thank you. The clerk put the new jacket into the bag, kept the old one, and gave me a new receipt.
Before leaving the store, I looked at the jacket in the bag once more. The color was right, and the size was right. I know I should try clothes on before buying them next time. Spending a few extra minutes then might save me another trip later. But if I buy the wrong size, I can still explain the problem clearly.
Now let us practice once more. If a jacket is too small, you can say: This is too small. Do you have a larger one? If it is too big, say: This is too big. Do you have a smaller one? State the problem first, then say what you want, and the clerk can help you more easily.
The second phrase is: Could you exchange it for me? Exchange means handing back this one and taking another. If you no longer want the item, you can ask: Can I return it? But each store may have a different policy, so it is best to ask first.
Finally, remember your receipt, and also ask: Do I need to pay more? The large and medium jackets today cost the same, so I did not have to pay extra. If the prices differ, the clerk will tell you. These short phrases also work when buying shoes or other things.
Your turn to practice: the clothes you bought yesterday are too small. You walk into the store today. What will you say? Try saying: This is too small. Do you have a larger one? Could you exchange it for me? It is fine to speak slowly. Explain the problem clearly, and you can get clothes that fit.
Adapted from a Simply Natural Chinese YouTube episode into a complete three-line website reading. This is not a word-for-word transcript.
The reading may differ from the original video or audio.
Words to take with you
Useful words
尺码
clothing size
这件外套的尺码不合适。
The size of this jacket does not fit.外套
jacket
早上有点凉,我穿一件外套。
It is cool this morning, so I wear a jacket.中号
medium size
我平时穿中号。
I usually wear a medium.大号
large size
这件大号比较合适。
This large size fits better.试穿
try on clothes
买衣服以前最好试穿。
It is best to try clothes on before buying.试衣间
fitting room
我去试衣间试一下。
I will try it on in the fitting room.小票
receipt
请把小票带来。
Please bring the receipt.店员
store clerk
店员帮我找大一点的。
The clerk helps me find a larger one.合适
fit; suitable
这件衣服很合适。
This jacket fits well.换
exchange; change
可以帮我换一下吗?
Could you exchange it for me?退
return; refund
如果不想要,可以先问能不能退。
If you do not want it, ask whether it can be returned.价格
price
两件外套的价格一样。
The two jackets cost the same.Check your understanding
5 questions · up to 50 points
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