Start with one clear question, then identify the situation
“Got my size?” “Can try?” “Can exchange or not?” These are short questions a visitor might hear in a Singapore shop. They can be useful, but the clearest approach is to specify the item, the size, and what you want the shop to explain. You do not need to perform a local accent to have a successful conversation.
This linked four-language series gives 20 real shopping terms for finding a suitable size, checking a shop’s voluntary exchange arrangements, and describing an item that is genuinely faulty. Some words are ordinary English; others are informal local-style phrasing. Understanding that distinction prevents a learner from assuming every short sentence is uniquely Singlish.
One especially important distinction: changing your mind or choosing the wrong size is not the same as receiving goods that do not conform to the contract. The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) explains that Singapore’s Lemon Law may provide remedies for defective goods under conditions; it does not grant a universal no-questions-asked return window. Actual retailers also have different policies for returning sound goods. Learn what to ask before you buy, and what facts to present afterward.
English · 简体中文 · हिन्दी · Русский
All 20 expressions at a glance · Four situations and four different requests · Each expression explained, with a sentence you can use · Ten realistic conversations to practise · Five-minute practice, useful errors and answers · Frequently asked questions about exchanging or returning goods · Sources and what these references do—and do not—establish · Read more of the Singapore everyday vocabulary series
All 20 expressions at a glance
| No. / Word | Meaning in Singapore shopping | Spoken English to try |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Got my size? | Got my size? | This one, got medium? |
| 2. Size chart | Size chart | Could I see the size chart? |
| 3. UK / EU size | UK / EU size | Is this UK or EU sizing? |
| 4. Fitting room | Fitting room | Where is the fitting room? |
| 5. Can try? | Can try? | Can try this on? |
| 6. Too tight | Too tight | It is too tight across the shoulders. |
| 7. Too loose | Too loose | The waist is too loose. |
| 8. One size up | One size up | May I try one size up? |
| 9. Got stock? | Got stock? | Got stock in black? |
| 10. Other outlet | Other outlet | Can you check another outlet? |
| 11. Tag still on | Tag still on | The tag is still on. |
| 12. Sale item | Sale item | Does this policy cover sale items? |
| 13. T&Cs | T&Cs | Could you explain the terms and conditions? |
| 14. Receipt | Receipt | I have the receipt here. |
| 15. Exchange | Exchange | Can I exchange this for a larger size? |
| 16. Return | Return | What is your return policy? |
| 17. Refund | Refund | Is a refund possible in this situation? |
| 18. Store credit | Store credit | Is that store credit or a cash refund? |
| 19. Faulty / defective | Faulty / defective | The zip was faulty when I opened it. |
| 20. Lemon Law | Lemon Law | Does Singapore’s Lemon Law apply to this defect? |
If the issue is size, ask to try or exchange. If the issue is simply that you no longer want the item, ask for the shop’s change-of-mind policy. If the item is faulty, explain the actual defect rather than presenting it as a preference. Identifying which situation you are in makes every later sentence clearer.
Four situations and four different requests
Before buying: ask which item and policy
Identify model, colour, size and store. Ask whether trying on is permitted and what policy applies to the exact item, especially a discounted one. Do not assume a sign for another product applies to yours. Ask the assistant to show the written policy before paying.
If the size is wrong but the item is sound
Explain that you want a different fit. Say whether you bought the size yourself and ask about the voluntary exchange terms, including receipt, tags, condition and deadline. The store may permit an exchange, but do not promise yourself one until the relevant terms are confirmed.
If you simply changed your mind
Say you prefer a different colour or no longer want the item. Ask about the shop’s return policy for non-defective goods. Singapore’s Lemon Law does not convert personal preference into a product defect. Do not make up damage to qualify for a different process.
If the product does not conform to the agreement
Record what you observed: a broken zip, a component that fails to work or a feature materially different from what was promised. Keep documents and ask for the applicable resolution process. CASE explains a staged set of remedies for defective goods; the result depends on facts and law, not on a scripted demand for immediate cash.
Read a word, say its short example aloud, then imagine the shop assistant replying “Cannot” or “Let me check.” What is your next calm question? Rehearse the answer as well as the request. A shopping vocabulary lesson should improve your understanding, not create pressure to buy.
Each expression explained, with a sentence you can use
1. Got my size?
This clipped local-style question means ‘Do you have this in my size?’ Say which size, colour and design you mean. A shop assistant cannot infer a size from your appearance.
Try this sentence: “This one, got medium?” Pair it with a specific item: ‘This blue shirt, got medium?’ A full sentence is equally useful. Recognising informal Singapore English does not require copying an accent or using the same short form in a complaint letter.
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2. Size chart
A size chart is the retailer’s table of measurements and labels. It may describe a garment or recommended body measurements; those are not always the same.
Try this sentence: “Could I see the size chart?” Ask where and how to measure, and check whether the chart belongs to the exact product line. One brand’s medium does not necessarily fit like another’s, so try the item when it is permitted.
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3. UK / EU size
Clothes and shoes may use UK, EU, US or brand-specific systems. ‘Size eight’ alone does not tell someone which system you mean, especially when shopping for shoes.
Try this sentence: “Is this UK or EU sizing?” Point to the sizing label, specify the region, then try the actual item. Online conversion charts are approximate; use the brand’s own fitting advice and avoid promising that two numbered sizes are equivalent.
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4. Fitting room
A fitting room is the designated area for trying on clothes. Staff may set an item limit, require a token, or restrict fitting for certain product categories.
Try this sentence: “Where is the fitting room?” Ask for permission and join the queue. A successful try-on is useful evidence of fit, but it does not automatically create a right to return an otherwise sound item after purchase.
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5. Can try?
‘Can try?’ is a short informal request to try on a product. The clearer neutral version is ‘May I try this on, please?’ Both are requests, not statements that trying is allowed.
Try this sentence: “Can try this on?” Show the specific item and wait for the assistant’s answer. For hygiene-restricted goods, the response may be no. Respect the posted rule instead of treating a friendly ‘can’ heard elsewhere as universal permission.
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6. Too tight
Too tight describes uncomfortable pressure, such as a shirt pulling at the shoulders or shoes squeezing the toes. It is different from simply not liking the style.
Try this sentence: “It is too tight across the shoulders.” Identify the part that feels tight; ‘The shoulders are tight’ is more actionable than ‘bad fit.’ Do not exaggerate a fitting problem into a defect merely to obtain a different return outcome.
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7. Too loose
Too loose means there is more space or movement than you want. A loose waist and loose sleeves may need different adjustments or a different garment cut.
Try this sentence: “The waist is too loose.” Describe the exact area. Choosing a smaller label may not repair all aspects of a garment’s fit; compare the fit of the next size or another design instead of insisting every style is proportional.
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8. One size up
‘One size up’ asks for the next larger marked size in that product’s scale. The opposite is ‘one size down.’ You can also ask for the next length or width if those are sold separately.
Try this sentence: “May I try one size up?” Check the new garment rather than assuming it will fit. A numerical next size in one system may not mean the same thing in another, and staff may need to check which size increments the brand uses.
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9. Got stock?
‘Got stock?’ is an informal way to ask whether an item is available. Add colour, size and model so the assistant knows what to check.
Try this sentence: “Got stock in black?” ‘Let me check’ is not an assurance of availability. Ask whether stock is physically in the shop, in storage, or at another outlet before planning a trip or assuming something has been reserved.
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10. Other outlet
Another outlet means another branch of the retailer, not necessarily a discount outlet. An assistant may be able to enquire there, but a stock indication is not a guarantee.
Try this sentence: “Can you check another outlet?” Ask for the other mall name, full location, item reference, current price and whether a hold is possible. Do not promise yourself a reserved item unless the shop has expressly confirmed the arrangement.
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11. Tag still on
‘The tag is still on’ explains that a label remains attached. Retailers sometimes ask about tags when considering voluntary exchanges or returns of non-defective goods.
Try this sentence: “The tag is still on.” An intact tag is not a substitute for the full policy: packaging, receipt, time limits and product condition may also matter. For a genuine defect, the relevant legal issues differ from voluntary change-of-mind policies.
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12. Sale item
A sale item is a product marked as discounted or part of a promotion. ‘Final sale’ and similar wording can describe a retailer’s policy for ordinary preference-based returns.
Try this sentence: “Does this policy cover sale items?” Ask about that specific item before paying. A sale sticker does not automatically erase statutory rights relating to goods that fail to conform to their contract; read CASE’s guidance when a real defect is involved.
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13. T&Cs
T&Cs is an abbreviation for ‘terms and conditions’. It often appears on receipts, promotional signs, exchanges notices and online checkout pages.
Try this sentence: “Could you explain the terms and conditions?” Ask a staff member to show the terms applying to your exact purchase. Clarify whether the deadline runs from purchase or delivery and whether the shop accepts the item at this branch. A generic sign may not answer every question.
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14. Receipt
A receipt is evidence that a purchase was made; it may specify date, items, price and retailer. A payment notification may not contain all those details.
Try this sentence: “I have the receipt here.” Check the printed or electronic receipt while you can still resolve a simple cashier error. Keep any separate warranty and policy documents; a receipt alone does not guarantee a change-of-mind refund.
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15. Exchange
An exchange replaces the item with another, often a different size or model. It is not the same as reversing the original payment.
Try this sentence: “Can I exchange this for a larger size?” Ask if the retailer’s exchange policy covers this item and whether there is a price difference. For defective goods, statutory remedies may follow different steps; do not treat a staff-approved size swap as the only possible legal remedy.
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16. Return
To return is to bring or send a product back. It describes an action, not necessarily whether you will receive cash, a replacement or store credit.
Try this sentence: “What is your return policy?” Ask ‘What happens after I return it?’ and confirm the method and deadline. A retailer may have specific rules for non-defective returns; do not assume every unwanted item can be returned simply because you kept the receipt.
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17. Refund
A refund means money is returned. It differs from an exchange and store credit. In a store conversation, specify whether you mean a faulty-goods remedy or a voluntary change-of-mind request.
Try this sentence: “Is a refund possible in this situation?” If an item is defective, explain the observed fault and ask what remedy applies. Under CASE’s summary of Singapore’s Lemon Law, repair or replacement is generally considered before particular further remedies; a cash refund is not automatic in every case.
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18. Store credit
Store credit is an amount usable toward future purchases with that retailer, often subject to conditions. It is not the same as receiving the original payment back.
Try this sentence: “Is that store credit or a cash refund?” Ask the expiry date, participating outlets, whether partial balances remain and whether the credit can be transferred. You can say ‘I understand the offer; please explain my other options,’ rather than immediately accepting it as equivalent to cash.
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19. Faulty / defective
Faulty or defective describes an actual problem, such as a broken zip or an item that does not work as agreed. It is not a synonym for ‘I changed my mind.’
Try this sentence: “The zip was faulty when I opened it.” State what happened, when it appeared, and whether the product was used or altered. Keep supporting evidence. Do not attempt unsafe repairs merely to prove a defect; ask the retailer about the appropriate inspection and resolution process.
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20. Lemon Law
Singapore’s consumer Lemon Law provides a framework for goods that do not conform to the contract. CASE describes potential remedies including repair, replacement, price reduction and rescission under conditions.
Try this sentence: “Does Singapore’s Lemon Law apply to this defect?” It generally does not apply just because the buyer changes their mind, nor to misuse, disclosed faults or ordinary wear and tear. The rules are not a universal ‘six-month free return’; seek official guidance for an actual dispute.
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Ten realistic conversations to practise
All conversations below are fictional practice dialogues. They illustrate respectful questions rather than any store’s actual pricing, return policy, statutory determination or guaranteed outcome.
1. Asking for a specific size
Visitor: “This one, got medium in blue?”
Shop assistant: “Let me check the stock. We have one.”
Visitor: “Thank you. May I try it on?”
Give the colour and size; “let me check” is an action, not an advance guarantee. Ask permission to try the item even after stock is confirmed.
2. Clarifying the size system
Visitor: “Is this UK size eight or EU sizing?”
Shop assistant: “That label uses UK sizing.”
Visitor: “Can I see the brand’s chart before deciding?”
A number alone is ambiguous; ask which system the label uses. A brand-specific chart can help, but does not replace checking the actual fit.
3. A fitting-room request
Visitor: “Can try this jacket?”
Staff: “Yes, please join the fitting-room queue.”
Visitor: “Of course. How many items may I take in?”
The shopper requests rather than assumes permission, respects the queue and checks the store’s item limit. Another shop may have a different practice.
4. Too tight versus too loose
Visitor: “The shoulders are too tight, but the waist is loose.”
Shop assistant: “A different cut may work better.”
Visitor: “Could I compare another style?”
A larger number may not solve two fit problems at once. Precise descriptions give the staff a better basis for recommending a different cut.
5. Checking another outlet
Shop assistant: “Your size is sold out here.”
Visitor: “Could you check another outlet?”
Shop assistant: “I can enquire, but I cannot promise a reservation.”
Visitor: “Please give me the branch details before I travel.”
Stock search and reservation are separate. Keep the branch and product reference, and ask for confirmation before making a special journey.
6. Sale-item conditions before paying
Visitor: “Does the exchange policy apply to this sale item?”
Shop assistant: “Let me show you the written conditions.”
Visitor: “Does the deadline start from purchase or delivery?”
The visitor asks about this exact item, not a generic sale poster. This is a voluntary change-of-mind or sizing issue; actual defects raise separate questions.
7. Asking about a change of mind
Visitor: “I changed my mind about the colour. What is your return policy?”
Shop assistant: “Please check the conditions for non-defective items.”
Visitor: “I understand. May I read them before proceeding?”
The shopper states the real reason without claiming a defect. The shop’s applicable policy determines its voluntary change-of-mind arrangement.
8. Reporting a genuine fault
Visitor: “I bought this yesterday. The zip was broken when I opened the package.”
Shop assistant: “Do you have the receipt and photos?”
Visitor: “Yes. Could you explain the inspection and possible remedies?”
Date, observed fault and supporting evidence help both sides establish facts. The shop should explain the process; the script does not prescribe a particular legal outcome.
9. Exchange, store credit or money back
Shop assistant: “We can discuss an exchange or store credit.”
Visitor: “Is store credit the same as a refund to my card?”
Shop assistant: “No, it is for a future purchase here.”
Visitor: “Please explain all options relevant to my situation.”
The shopper distinguishes a replacement, future spending credit and actual repayment. Do not accept or reject an option before you understand what it means and whether statutory rights apply.
10. Polite disagreement and next steps
Visitor: “Paiseh, I may not have explained the problem clearly.”
Shop assistant: “What happened when you first used it?”
Visitor: “Here are the details. Could we record the request and next step?”
“Paiseh” is an informal apology or expression of embarrassment; plain “Sorry” is equally fine. Describing facts and requesting a written next step is more useful than escalating a misunderstanding.
Five-minute practice, useful errors and answers
Set a timer for five minutes. Read the questions without looking at the quick table, give a short spoken response, then reveal the explanations below. The exercise separates vocabulary recall from understanding a retailer’s actual policies. In a real shop, keep your evidence and identify the next action instead of demanding the ending from a fictional script.
1. Your shoe is labelled EU 41; the assistant says “size 8”. What should you ask?
Ask which size system the assistant means, and compare the brand’s own chart rather than assuming equivalence.
2. A shirt’s shoulders are too tight but its waist is loose. Is one size up certain to help?
No. Describe both fitting issues and consider a different cut or design.
3. The receipt is intact and the item is sound, but you dislike the colour. Is a cash refund guaranteed?
No. Read the retailer’s change-of-mind policy; do not misrepresent your preference as a defect.
4. A sale item has a broken zip when opened. Is the sale tag the entire legal answer?
No. An actual non-conformity is distinct from a voluntary size exchange. Consult CASE’s legal framework.
5. The staff member offers store credit. Does that mean the money was refunded to your card?
No. Ask about other applicable options, the credit terms and whether cash repayment is available in your situation.
6. An employee says “Let me check another outlet.” Has the item been reserved?
Not yet. Ask for an explicit confirmation of availability and any hold.
7. You have a real fault and feel frustrated. What is the first useful sentence?
State the observable fault, when it appeared and your evidence: “The zip was broken when I opened the package.”
8. You hear “Cannot”. How can you continue politely?
Try “Could you show me the relevant condition, please?” or “What other options are available in this situation?”
One complete visit, two different endings
A complete role-play: buy a shirt you can try on, discover a fit problem, request another size, ask whether the sale item is exchangeable and keep the receipt. Then change the story: after opening the package at home, you discover a genuine broken zip. Compare the two conversations; do not use the same words or assume the same remedy. Finally, rehearse politely leaving the store without purchasing anything.
Frequently asked questions about exchanging or returning goods
1. Must I use Singlish in a Singapore store?
No. Clear standard English is appropriate. Short questions such as “Got my size?” may help you understand local speech, but are not obligatory or suitable for every formal written request.
2. Are UK and EU shoe sizes interchangeable?
No. They are different labelling systems. Give the system, consult the relevant brand chart and try on the item where permitted. Do not rely on an assumed exact conversion.
3. Can I try on every product?
Not necessarily. The shop may restrict fitting for particular categories or set queues and item limits. Always ask and follow the store’s actual instructions.
4. Does a sale sticker remove all consumer rights?
No. Sale conditions may affect voluntary returns of non-defective goods, but misleading practices and genuine non-conformity are separate matters. See CASE and CCCS sources.
5. Does a receipt guarantee a full refund?
No. It helps establish the transaction, but does not replace the return policy or determine statutory remedies. Keep relevant proof and ask for the actual basis of your request.
6. Does Lemon Law apply because I changed my mind?
No. CASE expressly distinguishes a change of mind from a defective or non-conforming product. A size preference alone does not establish a defect.
7. Does a faulty item always entitle me to immediate cash back?
No. Depending on the facts, the statutory remedies follow a framework involving repair or replacement and possible later remedies. Ask the retailer what applies and consult CASE on a disputed matter.
8. Are store credit and a refund the same?
No. Store credit generally enables future spending at that retailer under conditions; a refund means money returned. Ask whether other options exist before agreeing.
9. Is a size exchange available at every outlet?
Not automatically. Ask which participating branches process voluntary exchanges, whether the item is eligible and whether the new size is available.
10. What if I disagree with a shop assistant?
Describe observable facts, ask for written terms and confirm the next step. If you believe an unfair practice or genuine goods issue remains unresolved, use CASE or other appropriate official channels.
Sources and what these references do—and do not—establish
The material is a visitor-facing language guide. It does not give store-specific promises or legal advice. These sources support the distinction between voluntary returns and statutory protection; visit them directly before relying on a current individual entitlement:
CCCS — Misleading sale claims and price transparency
Singapore Tourism Board — Shopping in Singapore
The CASE guidance is the central reference for consumer goods and Singapore’s Lemon Law. The CCCS material concerns misleading sale advertising rather than creating an automatic return policy. Tourist GST refunds are a different process from returning products to a retailer. The conversation examples, amounts and characters in this article are fictional.
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