Frasa
SituationsGet the app (opens the App Store in a new tab)

German phrases for trying on clothes in Germany

Ask “Kann ich das anprobieren?” and the assistant points to the fitting rooms: “Die Umkleidekabinen sind dort drüben”. If it doesn’t fit, say “Es ist zu klein” and ask “Haben Sie das in einer größeren Größe?”. Sizes in Germany are EU sizes, so check the label. Use Sie with the staff.

Try it · about two minutes

In a clothes shop you ask for the fitting rooms, try a jumper on and ask for a bigger size.

Sound on: the shop assistant speaks German. You choose what to say back, and Frasa tells you why it works.

How does the conversation usually go?

  1. Shop assistant

    Kann ich Ihnen helfen?

    Can I help you?

    You

    Kann ich das anprobieren?

    Can I try this on?

  2. Shop assistant

    Die Umkleidekabinen sind dort drüben.

    The fitting rooms are over there.

    You

    Welche Größe ist das?

    What size is this?

  3. In the fitting room the jumper is too tight. You step out and find the assistant.

    You

    Es ist zu klein.

    It’s too small.

  4. Shop assistant

    Möchten Sie eine andere Größe probieren?

    Would you like to try another size?

    You

    Haben Sie das in einer größeren Größe?

    Do you have this in a bigger size?

  5. Shop assistant

    Ich sehe im Lager für Sie nach.

    I’ll check the stockroom for you.

    You

    Gibt es das auch in Schwarz?

    Is it available in black?

  6. Shop assistant

    Wie passt es?

    How does it fit?

    You

    Das gefällt mir.

    I like this one.

Which German phrases do you need?

  • Kann ich das anprobieren?

    Can I try this on?

  • Wo sind die Umkleidekabinen?

    Where are the fitting rooms?

  • Welche Größe ist das?

    What size is this?

  • Es ist zu klein.

    It’s too small.

  • Es ist zu groß.

    It’s too big.

  • Haben Sie das in einer größeren Größe?

    Do you have this in a bigger size?

  • Haben Sie das eine Nummer kleiner?

    Do you have this a size smaller?

  • Möchten Sie eine andere Größe probieren?

    Would you like to try another size?

  • Wie passt es?

    How does it fit?

  • Gibt es das auch in Schwarz?

    Is it available in black?

What is worth knowing in Germany?

EU sizes

Clothes in Germany use EU sizes. Tops often come in S, M and L, but trousers, dresses and many jackets carry a number, such as 38 or 50. Jeans are often sized by waist and length, such as 32/34. A UK or US size won’t match, so check the label or ask.

Welche Größe ist das?

What size is this?

Sie with shop staff

Sie (safe everywhere)

Haben Sie das in einer größeren Größe?

Do you have this in a bigger size?

Du (only if they use it)

Hast du das in einer größeren Größe?

Do you have this in a bigger size?

Shop assistants usually say Sie, so answer with Sie. A few young fashion shops use du with customers. If staff do, you can follow, but Sie is always safe.

Just looking

Staff often ask whether they can help. If you would rather browse, a friendly “Ich schaue nur, danke” is a polite answer, and they will usually leave you to it.

Ich schaue nur, danke.

I’m just looking, thank you.

Questions about this situation

Which German phrases matter most here?
“Kann ich das anprobieren?” (Can I try this on); “Wo sind die Umkleidekabinen?” (Where are the fitting rooms); “Welche Größe ist das?” (What size is this). The full list is above.
Can I hear how they sound?
Yes: press the speaker next to a phrase to hear it, recorded for the Frasa app.
How can I practise this conversation?
Press “Start the conversation” above to play it through and choose your replies, with a note on why some fit better in Germany. Frasa, an iPhone app, lets you save these phrases and rehearse them out loud.

Related situations in German

All situations in German

Practise these phrases in Frasa

Frasa is an iPhone app for the conversations in front of you. Save phrases like these, rehearse them out loud, and they come back until they stick.

AI-generated. May be inaccurate.