A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I'm just looking thanks" in French
Politely decline sales assistance in French shops with this simple, common phrase.
Je regarde, merci.
zhuh ruh-GARD, mehr-SEEneutral
French TTS · 0:01
When a shop assistant approaches you and asks if you need help, and you just want to browse. It's a polite way to say you're okay for now.
Alternatives
- Je regarde seulement, merci.Slightly more emphatic that you are *only* looking.
- Non, merci, je regarde.A bit more direct, good if you've already said no once.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'regarde' like 're-guard'
The 'r' sound is softer, more in the back of the throat, and the 'e' is not a strong 'ee'.
Forgetting the 'e' in 'regarde'
The final 'e' is pronounced, making it sound like 'ruh-gard-uh'.
Using 'juste' incorrectly
'Juste' means 'only' or 'fairly', but 'Je regarde, merci' is the most natural way to say 'I'm just looking'.
A small cultural note
French shop assistants are often trained to approach customers quickly. This phrase is standard and expected.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How to say I'm just browsing in French?
The most common way is 'Je regarde, merci.' This politely tells the assistant you don't need help right now.
Is 'Je regarde, merci' polite enough?
Yes, it's perfectly polite and standard for most shopping situations in France. Adding 'merci' softens it.
What if they ask again?
You can repeat 'Je regarde, merci' or try 'Non, merci, je regarde.' If you need something later, you can always call them over.
