A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I'm just browsing" in French
Politely tell shopkeepers you're just looking without buying, useful in French boutiques and department stores.
Je regarde, merci.
zhuh ruh-GARD, mehr-SEEneutral
French TTS · 0:01
A shop assistant approaches you as you enter a store or while you're looking at items. This phrase lets them know you're not ready to buy yet and don't need immediate help.
Alternatives
- Je flâne.More casual, implies leisurely window-shopping.
- Je regarde juste.Slightly more direct, but still polite.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'regarde' like 're-gard'
The 'e' at the end of 'regarde' is silent, so don't pronounce it.
Saying 'Je suis en train de regarder'
This is too long and formal for a simple 'browsing' situation.
A small cultural note
French shop assistants are often trained to approach customers quickly. This phrase is a standard, polite way to manage that interaction.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How to say I'm just looking in French?
The most common way is 'Je regarde, merci.' This politely tells the shopkeeper you're browsing and don't need help right now.
Is 'Je regarde, merci' polite enough?
Yes, it's perfectly polite for most shopping situations in France. Adding 'merci' softens the statement.
What if they ask if I need help?
If they ask 'Vous avez besoin d'aide ?' or similar, you can reply with 'Je regarde, merci.' or 'Non, merci, je regarde.'.
