épicerie
/e.pi.sʁi/feminine
The English phrase "grocery store" is translated into French as épicerie. Wiktionary also lists magasin d'alimentation.
Meaning: a store where groceries can be purchased, especially a supermarket (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| épicerie | /e.pi.sʁi/ | feminine |
| magasin d'alimentation | masculine |
A grocery store is a place where groceries can be purchased. If the grocery store is a large, modern supermarket, French speakers are more likely to use the word supermarché than épicerie.
Which one should you use?
magasin d'alimentation is a formal way to say grocery store in French. The term supé is an informal way to say grocery store in French.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, the expression épicerie de quartier means a neighborhood grocery store.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word épicerie is a feminine noun, so it takes the feminine indefinite article une. Additionally, the phrase faire l'épicerie is a common way to express the act of grocery shopping.
How do you pronounce it?
/e.pi.sʁi/
Did you know?
- The word magasin shares its root with the English word 'magazine'. Both derive from an Arabic word for 'storeroom' or 'warehouse'.
- While faire l'épicerie is standard in Quebec, people in France typically say faire les courses to describe the act of grocery shopping.
- In some rural parts of France, the épicier or shopkeeper historically served as a social hub and a source of local news for the entire village.
Examples in context
- Je fais la queue devant l'épicerie.I queue in front of the grocery store.This sentence shows how to use épicerie when talking about queuing in front of a store.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 uses épicerie to describe waiting for one's turn in front of a store.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 uses épicerie to talk about going to a store across the street.Tatoeba #12002354 by lbdx, translation #6453754 by Eccles17
- Je vais faire mes courses au supermarché.I am going grocery shopping at the supermarket.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are planning their shopping trip.
- ChloéLucas, est-ce qu'on peut aller à l'épicerie ?Lucas, can we go to the grocery store?
- LucasOui, l'épicerie est juste à côté de chez toi.Yes, the grocery store is right next to your place.
- ChloéParfait, je vais prendre mon sac.Perfect, I will grab my bag.
- LucasD'accord, on y va tout de suite.Okay, let's go right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grocery store” translations and entries épicerie, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries magasin, épicerie, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
