Signification
Used to indicate that one is searching for something or someone.
Contexte culturel
In French shops, it is polite to say 'Bonjour' before saying 'Je cherche...'. Jumping straight into your request can be seen as rude. Quebecers might use 'magasiner' for the general act of shopping, but 'je cherche' remains the standard for finding a specific item. The usage is identical to France, but you might hear 'chercher après' more frequently in informal Walloon-influenced speech. In many African French-speaking countries, 'chercher' can also imply 'to go and get' someone or something, similar to 'aller chercher'.
No 'Pour'!
This is the #1 mistake. 'Chercher' is a direct verb. Just say 'Je cherche [thing]'.
Buy time
Use 'Je cherche mes mots' when you forget a word. It sounds much more natural than 'Euh... how do you say...'.
Signification
Used to indicate that one is searching for something or someone.
No 'Pour'!
This is the #1 mistake. 'Chercher' is a direct verb. Just say 'Je cherche [thing]'.
Buy time
Use 'Je cherche mes mots' when you forget a word. It sounds much more natural than 'Euh... how do you say...'.
Politeness first
Always start with 'Bonjour' or 'Excusez-moi' before saying 'Je cherche...' to a stranger.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct way to say 'I am looking for my keys'.
Comment dit-on 'I am looking for my keys' ?
In French, 'chercher' does not take a preposition like 'pour' or 'à' when looking for an object.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'chercher'.
Nous _______ {la|f} station de métro.
The 'nous' form of -er verbs ends in -ons.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Match: 'Je cherche {un|m} travail.'
Searching for work is a common topic in professional settings.
Complete the dialogue.
Vendeur: 'Bonjour !' -> Client: 'Bonjour, je _______ {un|m} livre sur Paris.'
When you have a specific item in mind in a shop, use 'cherche'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Chercher vs. Regarder
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesComment dit-on 'I am looking for my keys' ?
In French, 'chercher' does not take a preposition like 'pour' or 'à' when looking for an object.
Nous _______ {la|f} station de métro.
The 'nous' form of -er verbs ends in -ons.
Match: 'Je cherche {un|m} travail.'
Searching for work is a common topic in professional settings.
Vendeur: 'Bonjour !' -> Client: 'Bonjour, je _______ {un|m} livre sur Paris.'
When you have a specific item in mind in a shop, use 'cherche'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes! 'Je cherche Marie' is perfectly correct.
'Chercher' is for everyday things. 'Rechercher' is for intense study or police work.
No, never. It is always 'Je cherche' + [object].
Use 'Je cherche {un|m} moyen de' + infinitive.
Yes, in the phrase 'aller chercher'.
Yes, 'chercher à' + infinitive means 'to try to'.
It's an informal way to say 'Are you looking for a fight?' or 'Are you provoking me?'
It is neutral. It works in all situations.
Say 'Je regarde seulement' or 'Je jette un coup d'œil'.
It is 'J'ai cherché'.
Expressions liées
aller chercher
builds onto go and get / to pick up
rechercher
similarto research / to search thoroughly
fouiller
specialized formto rummage / to search physically
trouver
contrastto find
se chercher
specialized formto find oneself
