French for Beginners: Saying 'I'm just looking, thanks' When a Shop Assistant Offers Help
Learn to reply 'Je regarde, merci' and similar French phrases when you only want to browse in a shop, not ask for help.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
In French shops, assistants often ask 'Je peux vous aider ?' (Can I help you?). If you only want to browse, you should not answer with a request for help. Instead, use a short polite phrase that means you are just looking. This lesson teaches the exact expressions, their pronunciation, and when to use them. You will also learn how this differs from actually asking for assistance.
By the end, you can…
- respond politely to a shop assistant's offer of help when I only want to browse.
- distinguish between saying 'I'm just looking' and asking for help in French.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Je regarde, merci.
I'm just looking, thanks.
zhuh ruh-GARD, mair-SEE
Standard polite reply to an assistant. 'Je regarde' literally means 'I look' or 'I'm looking'; in shops it means 'I'm just browsing'.
Je regarde seulement, merci.
I'm just looking, thanks.
zhuh ruh-GARD suhl-MAHN, mair-SEE
Adds 'seulement' (only) for clarity. Common in France; slightly more explicit.
Non merci, je regarde.
No thanks, I'm just looking.
nohn mair-SEE, zhuh ruh-GARD
Starts with 'non merci' to decline the offer first, then explains you are browsing.
Je jette un coup d'œil, merci.
I'm just having a look, thanks.
zhuh zhet uhn koo DUH-y, mair-SEE
Idiomatic: 'jeter un coup d'œil' means 'to take a quick look'. Polite and natural. The final 'œil' is pronounced like 'uh-y' (the 'l' is silent).
C'est gentil, mais je regarde.
That's kind, but I'm just looking.
say zhahn-TEE, may zhuh ruh-GARD
Warm and appreciative. 'C'est gentil' means 'that's kind/nice'. Use when you want to sound friendly.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 'Je regarde' (I'm looking) plus a polite word like 'merci'. You can also say 'Je regarde seulement' or 'Je jette un coup d'œil'. All of these tell the assistant you do not need help right now. Do not say 'Je cherche' (I'm looking for) unless you actually want to find a specific item, because that invites the assistant to help you search.
When to use it
Use these phrases when an assistant asks 'Je peux vous aider ?' or 'Vous cherchez quelque chose ?' and you only want to browse. If you do need help, say 'Oui, je cherche…' (Yes, I'm looking for…) instead. In many French shops, assistants expect a brief polite reply; a simple 'Je regarde, merci' is enough. In Canada, you may also hear 'Je regarde juste, merci', but 'Je regarde, merci' is understood everywhere.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bonjour, je peux vous aider ?
Hello, can I help you?bohn-ZHOOR, zhuh puh voo zay-DAYJe regarde, merci.
I'm just looking, thanks.zhuh ruh-GARD, mair-SEETrès bien. Si vous avez besoin, je suis là.
Very well. If you need anything, I'm here.tray byan. see voo zay-vay buh-ZWAN, zhuh swee lahMerci beaucoup.
Thank you very much.mair-SEE boh-KOOA little context goes a long way
In France, shop assistants often greet you with 'Bonjour' before offering help. It is polite to say 'Bonjour' back before 'Je regarde, merci'. In Quebec, assistants may be more informal and use 'tu' (e.g., 'Je peux-tu t'aider ?'), but your reply 'Je regarde, merci' works in both regions. Avoid a long explanation; a short phrase is expected.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Je cherche, merci' to mean 'I'm just looking, thanks'.
Try this instead: 'Je cherche' means 'I'm looking for' and implies you want help finding something. To say you are only browsing, use 'Je regarde, merci' or 'Je jette un coup d'œil, merci'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I'm just looking, thanks' in a standard, polite way?
Show a sample answer
Je regarde, merci.
This is the most common phrase. 'Je regarde seulement, merci' is also correct and slightly more explicit.
2An assistant asks 'Je peux vous aider ?' You want to browse. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Non merci, je regarde.
This declines the offer first and then explains you are browsing. 'Je regarde, merci' alone is also fine.
3What is the difference between 'Je regarde' and 'Je cherche'?
Show a sample answer
'Je regarde' means 'I'm looking/browsing' and signals you don't need help. 'Je cherche' means 'I'm looking for' and invites assistance.
Use 'Je regarde' to browse politely; use 'Je cherche' only when you actually want to find a specific item.
When you only want to browse in a French shop, say 'Je regarde, merci' or 'Je jette un coup d'œil, merci'—not 'Je cherche', which asks for help.
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