French word

magasin

Pronunciation

IPA/magazɛ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounstore

Example

Où est le magasin le plus proche ?

Where is the nearest store?

Illustration for magasin (store)

More examples

Je vais au magasin cet après-midi.

I am going to the store this afternoon.

Core concept

Shelves and counters filled with goods, where customers choose items and pay.

Common phrases

  • aller au magasin

    go to the store

  • faire des achats au magasin

    shop at the store

  • rayon du magasin

    store department

Similar words

supermarché: A large grocery store where customers select food and household goods themselves.
boutique: A small shop focused on a particular type or brand of product, with personal service.
épicerie: A small shop selling everyday food items and basic cooking supplies.
grand magasin: A large store divided into several floors and selling many kinds of goods.

Definition in French

Établissement où l'on expose et vend des biens au public.

Word origin

French magasin came through Italian magazzino from Arabic makhzan, meaning a storage place, and later developed from warehouse to shop.

Usage tips

  • Magasin is masculine, so the usual form is le magasin, and faire les magasins means going shopping rather than making shops.

Other meanings

  • warehousenoun

Word lists with this word