épicerie
/e.pi.sʁi/
The English phrase 'grocery' is translated into French as épicerie.
Épicerie is the most common and widely used term for grocery in French. You can use the phrase épicerie fine to indicate a specialty or gourmet grocery store, which is a specialized shop selling high-end or gourmet food items. If you are referring to online grocery shopping, the French term is les courses en ligne.
Which one should you use?
Use épicerie for smaller, neighborhood shops and supermarché for large grocery stores.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the term dépanneur refers to a corner store that sells a variety of items, including groceries.
How do you pronounce it?
/e.pi.sʁi/
Did you know?
- In Quebec, the term dépanneur is used for a small convenience store, but it stems from the verb dépanner, which means 'to help out' or 'to fix a problem'.
- The word épicerie is a direct descendant of the word for 'spice', since ancient grocery shops were primarily used to trade exotic and precious spices.
- A person might say they are 'faire le plein' when they are doing a massive grocery shop, a phrase that literally means 'to fill up' like a gas tank.
Examples in context
- Je fais la queue devant l'épicerie.I queue in front of the grocery store.This sentence is useful for describing queuing in front of the épicerie.Tatoeba #1826953 by Rovo, translation #6698282 by Eccles17
- J'attends mon tour devant l'épicerie.I'm waiting for my turn in front of the grocery store.This sentence is useful for describing waiting for a turn in front of the épicerie.Tatoeba #1826950 by Rovo, translation #6698285 by Eccles17
- Je vais aller à l'épicerie d'en face.I'll go to the grocery store across the street.This sentence is useful for saying you are going to the épicerie across the street.Tatoeba #12002354 by lbdx, translation #6453754 by Eccles17
- Excusez-moi, où puis-je trouver les produits laitiers ?Excuse me, where can I find dairy products?
- Pouvez-vous m'indiquer où se trouve le rayon des légumes ?Can you tell me where the vegetable section is?
- Avez-vous du pain frais ?Do you have fresh bread?
- Où puis-je faire mes courses en ligne ?Where can I do my grocery shopping online?
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are discussing what to do after work.
- HugoTu veux aller à l'épicerie avec moi ?Do you want to go to the grocery store with me?
- LéaOui, j'ai besoin de lait et d'œufs.Yes, I need milk and eggs.
- HugoL'épicerie est ouverte tard ce soir ?Is the grocery store open late tonight?
- LéaOui, elle ferme à vingt-deux heures.Yes, it closes at ten p.m.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry épicerie, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries épicerie, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
