« Magasiner »
To go shopping. To shop around.
How do you say “go shopping” in Québec French? « Magasiner ». You’ll also see: « magasinage ».
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Answer in the YouTube comments: What would you magasiner this weekend?
In Québec, « magasiner » means to go shopping, from « magasin », a store. In France you’ll mostly hear « faire du shopping ». It also means to shop around. First written in 1864, everyday Québec French since the early 1900s.
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France and Québec
« Faire du shopping » is an English borrowing, widespread in European French. The OQLF says « magasiner » replaces it to advantage. Both are correct French.
When to use it
Standard in Québec. Fine at work, with family, in writing. No familiar label in Usito.
Example lines
- « Magasiner un téléphone. »Shop around for a phone.Usito, sense 2
- « Magasiner un appareil, une maison, une voiture. »Shop around for a device, a house, a car.Usito, sense 2
Practise it
2 questionsWays to say it
| Québec | « Magasiner » Standard |
|---|---|
| Standard | « faire les magasins » Fine everywhere, including in writing. |
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Sources
Where the facts in the video come from.