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A1 verb #1,000 most common 11 min read

regarder

Top 1,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips regarder in 30 Seconds

Explanation regarder in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'regarder' is introduced as one of the fundamental action verbs. Learners first encounter it in the context of daily routines and leisure activities, primarily meaning 'to watch' or 'to look at'. The focus is on mastering the present tense conjugation for regular '-er' verbs (je regarde, tu regardes, il/elle regarde, nous regardons, vous regardez, ils/elles regardent). Students learn to construct simple affirmative and negative sentences, such as 'Je regarde la télévision' (I watch television) or 'Je ne regarde pas le match' (I am not watching the match). A critical learning point at this stage is understanding that 'regarder' takes a direct object, meaning no preposition is needed between the verb and the noun, unlike the English 'look at'. Vocabulary building around 'regarder' typically includes media (la télé, un film, une vidéo) and common objects or people (le tableau, le professeur, une photo). The imperative form is also introduced early on, specifically 'Regarde !' (Look!) and 'Regardez !' (Look! - formal/plural), as it is essential for classroom instructions and basic communication. At this level, the distinction between 'voir' (to see) and 'regarder' (to watch/look at) is briefly introduced to prevent common translation errors, emphasizing that 'regarder' implies an intentional action.

Moving to the A2 level, learners expand their use of 'regarder' into past and future tenses. They practice the passé composé ('J'ai regardé un bon film hier soir') and the futur proche ('Je vais regarder les informations'). The contexts become more varied, moving beyond simple daily routines to describing past experiences, making plans, and giving more detailed instructions. At this stage, learners are introduced to direct object pronouns (le, la, l', les) and learn how to place them correctly before the verb ('Je le regarde' - I am looking at him/it). This is a crucial step in achieving conversational fluency. The pronominal form 'se regarder' is also introduced, allowing students to express reflexive actions ('Je me regarde dans le miroir') and reciprocal actions ('Ils se regardent'). Furthermore, learners begin to use 'regarder' in conjunction with other verbs, such as 'aimer regarder' (to like watching) or 'passer du temps à regarder' (to spend time watching). The vocabulary associated with the verb expands to include more specific types of media, sports, and nature, enabling learners to describe their hobbies and interests with greater detail and accuracy.

At the B1 level, the usage of 'regarder' becomes significantly more nuanced. Learners are expected to comfortably navigate various tenses, including the imparfait ('Je regardais la télé quand le téléphone a sonné') to describe continuous past actions or habits. A major conceptual leap at this level is the introduction of the figurative meaning of 'regarder': to concern or to be someone's business. Expressions like 'Ça me regarde' (That concerns me) or the very common 'Ça ne te regarde pas' (That's none of your business) are taught and practiced. This expands the verb's utility from purely physical observation to expressing interpersonal boundaries and relevance. Additionally, learners explore more complex sentence structures, such as using 'en regardant' (gerund) to express simultaneous actions ('Il mange en regardant la télé'). The distinction between 'regarder' and its synonyms (observer, fixer) is explored more deeply, allowing students to choose the most appropriate verb for the context. Cultural nuances, such as the polite way to look at someone versus staring ('dévisager'), are also discussed, enhancing the learner's sociolinguistic competence.

At the B2 level, learners demonstrate a high degree of flexibility and precision with 'regarder'. They use it effortlessly across all tenses and moods, including the subjonctif ('Il faut que tu regardes ça') and the conditionnel ('Je regarderais bien un film ce soir'). The focus shifts heavily towards idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms. Phrases such as 'regarder quelqu'un de haut' (to look down on someone), 'regarder à la dépense' (to watch one's spending), or 'y regarder à deux fois' (to think twice before doing something) become part of their active vocabulary. Learners are able to understand and participate in debates or discussions where 'regarder' is used abstractly, such as 'Si on regarde la situation économique...' (If we look at the economic situation...). The ability to distinguish between subtle shades of meaning—for instance, the difference between 'regarder' (to look at) and 'dévisager' (to stare at rudely)—is expected. At this level, students also encounter the verb in literature and formal journalistic texts, where it might be used to describe complex visual interactions or metaphorical perspectives, requiring a deep understanding of context and register.

At the C1 level, mastery of 'regarder' involves a deep appreciation of its stylistic and literary potential. Learners encounter the verb in complex, abstract, and highly idiomatic contexts. They are comfortable with expressions like 'regarder la mort en face' (to stare death in the face) or 'ne pas regarder plus loin que le bout de son nez' (to not look further than the end of one's nose). The usage is sophisticated, often involving subtle plays on words or metaphorical extensions of the concept of vision. In academic or professional discourse, learners use 'regarder' to analyze, evaluate, and critique ('En regardant de plus près les données...' - Looking more closely at the data...). They understand the historical and cultural connotations of 'le regard' (the gaze) in French philosophy and literature, recognizing how the act of looking is tied to power, identity, and perception. The distinction between 'regarder' and highly specific synonyms like 'scruter', 'contempler', or 'dévisager' is perfectly internalized, allowing the speaker to convey precise emotional or intellectual states through their choice of verb.

At the C2 level, the learner's use of 'regarder' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. The verb is employed with absolute naturalness in all its literal, figurative, and idiomatic forms. The learner can manipulate the verb to create specific rhetorical effects, using it in complex syntactic structures and across all registers, from the most formal literary French to contemporary slang. They possess a comprehensive understanding of the sociolinguistic nuances of 'le regard' in French culture, able to discuss complex themes such as 'le regard de l'autre' (the gaze of the other) in existentialist philosophy or sociology. They can effortlessly navigate archaic or highly specialized uses of the verb encountered in classical literature. At this pinnacle of proficiency, 'regarder' is not just a vocabulary word to be translated, but a conceptual tool used to articulate profound observations about human interaction, perception, and reality, demonstrating a complete and intuitive command of the French language.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

regarder in 30 Seconds

Means 'to watch' or 'to look at'.
Requires a direct object (no preposition).
Implies intentional, active looking.
Can mean 'to concern' (Ça me regarde).

The French verb regarder is an essential vocabulary word that translates primarily to 'to watch' or 'to look at' in English. When we consider the multifaceted nature of the French verb regarder, we must first delve into the fundamental concept of intentionality in visual perception. Unlike the verb 'voir', which simply means to see or to perceive with the eyes without necessarily applying conscious effort, regarder implies a deliberate, focused, and intentional act of directing one's gaze toward a specific subject, object, or event. This distinction is paramount for English speakers learning French, as it mirrors the difference between 'seeing' and 'watching' or 'looking at'. In everyday conversation, you will encounter this verb constantly. It is the cornerstone of discussing media consumption, observing one's surroundings, and directing the attention of others. For instance, when you want someone to pay attention to a beautiful sunset, a strange occurrence, or an important document, you will use the imperative form of this verb.

Regarde ce magnifique paysage devant nous, il est absolument époustouflant à regarder.

Furthermore, the verb is extensively used in the context of entertainment. Whether you are talking about television, movies, theatrical performances, or sports events, regarder is the verb of choice.

Media Consumption: Using regarder to describe watching television or films is one of its most common applications in daily French life.

Beyond the literal sense of visual observation, the verb also carries significant figurative meanings. In certain contexts, it can mean 'to concern' or 'to be the business of' someone. This is a crucial secondary meaning that elevates the learner's proficiency from basic to intermediate.

Je suis désolé, mais cette conversation privée ne te regarde pas du tout.

Figurative Usage: When something 'regarde' you, it means it is your business or it concerns you directly, often used in negative constructions to tell someone to mind their own business.

The intentionality embedded in regarder makes it a dynamic verb. It requires an active participant. When you walk through a museum, you might 'voir' many paintings in your peripheral vision, but you 'regarder' the specific masterpiece that captures your attention.

Les étudiants passent des heures à regarder les détails de cette peinture classique.

Pronominal Form: The reflexive form 'se regarder' means to look at oneself, such as in a mirror, or to look at each other, indicating a reciprocal action.

Ils ont passé la soirée à se regarder dans les yeux avec amour.

Understanding these nuances allows learners to communicate with greater precision. The verb is regular, following the standard '-er' conjugation pattern, making it highly accessible for beginners while offering depth for advanced speakers.

Nous allons regarder le match de football ce soir chez mes parents.

In summary, mastering regarder involves recognizing its active nature, its direct grammatical structure, and its versatile applications ranging from visual observation to expressing personal concern. It is a word that bridges the gap between passive existence and active engagement with the world.

Using the verb regarder correctly in sentences requires an understanding of its grammatical properties, particularly its status as a transitive verb. A transitive verb is one that requires a direct object to complete its meaning. In French, this means that regarder is followed directly by the noun it modifies, without the need for a preposition. This is a frequent point of confusion for English speakers who are accustomed to saying 'look at', which includes a preposition. In French, the 'at' is already built into the verb regarder.

Je vais regarder les étoiles ce soir avec mon nouveau télescope.

Direct Object Rule: Never use 'à' or 'de' after regarder when you mean 'to look at'. It is always 'regarder quelque chose' or 'regarder quelqu'un'.

Let us examine the conjugation and sentence structure across different tenses. In the present tense, it follows the standard '-er' endings: je regarde, tu regardes, il/elle regarde, nous regardons, vous regardez, ils/elles regardent.

Elle regarde souvent des documentaires sur la nature pendant le week-end.

In the passé composé, it uses the auxiliary verb 'avoir' and the past participle 'regardé'.

Past Tense Usage: J'ai regardé (I watched/looked at). Remember that the past participle does not agree with the subject when conjugated with avoir, unless the direct object precedes the verb.

Les photos que j'ai regardées hier m'ont rappelé de bons souvenirs.

The imperative form is extremely common, used to draw someone's attention. 'Regarde !' (Look!) or 'Regardez !' (Look! - formal/plural).

Ne regarde pas en bas si tu as le vertige sur ce pont.

Furthermore, the pronominal form 'se regarder' introduces a reflexive or reciprocal dynamic. Reflexive: 'Je me regarde dans le miroir' (I look at myself in the mirror). Reciprocal: 'Ils se regardent' (They look at each other).

Pronominal Agreement: When using 'se regarder' in the passé composé, the auxiliary verb is 'être', and the past participle agrees with the subject if the reflexive pronoun is the direct object.

Elles se sont regardées et ont commencé à rire aux éclats.

Mastering these sentence structures ensures that you can fluidly describe actions of observation, direct attention, and express reciprocal interactions in French. The structural simplicity of regarder makes it an excellent canvas for practicing pronoun placement and tense conjugation.

The verb regarder is ubiquitous in the French-speaking world, permeating almost every context of daily life, media, literature, and interpersonal communication. Because visual perception is such a fundamental human experience, the vocabulary surrounding it is naturally high-frequency. You will hear regarder in casual conversations between friends, formal addresses in professional settings, and constantly in the media.

Qu'est-ce que tu aimes regarder à la télévision le soir ?

Everyday Conversations: People frequently ask each other what they are watching, whether it's a new series on Netflix, a sports match, or the news.

In educational settings, teachers use regarder to direct students' attention to the board, a textbook, or a specific problem. 'Regardez la page vingt' (Look at page twenty).

S'il vous plaît, regardez le tableau pendant que j'explique la leçon.

Professional Environments: In meetings, colleagues might say 'Si on regarde les chiffres...' (If we look at the numbers...) to analyze data or reports.

The verb is also heavily featured in idiomatic expressions that you will hear in movies and read in books. For example, 'regarder quelqu'un de haut' means to look down on someone condescendingly.

Il a tendance à regarder ses employés de haut, ce qui est très désagréable.

Art and Culture: When discussing art, critics and enthusiasts talk about how one should 'regarder une œuvre' (look at a work of art) to appreciate its depth.

Prenez le temps de bien regarder les couleurs utilisées par l'artiste.

You will also hear it in the context of personal appearance. 'Tu as regardé ta coiffure ce matin ?' (Did you look at your hair this morning?).

Je n'aime pas me regarder en vidéo, je trouve ma voix bizarre.

From the mundane act of checking the time ('regarder l'heure') to the profound act of facing reality ('regarder la vérité en face'), this verb is an inescapable and vital component of the French language landscape.

When learning the French verb regarder, English speakers frequently fall into a few predictable traps due to direct translation habits. The most prevalent and persistent mistake is adding a preposition after the verb. Because English uses 'look at', learners instinctively want to say 'regarder à'. This is grammatically incorrect in French. Regarder is a transitive verb that takes a direct object.

Il faut regarder le professeur quand il parle, pas par la fenêtre.

The Preposition Error: Never say 'Je regarde à la télévision'. The correct phrasing is 'Je regarde la télévision'. The 'at' is inherent in the verb.

Another major area of confusion is the distinction between regarder (to watch/look at) and voir (to see). English speakers sometimes use them interchangeably, but in French, the distinction is strictly about intention. Voir is passive; it happens to you because your eyes are open. Regarder is active; you choose to direct your focus.

J'ai vu un oiseau, alors je me suis arrêté pour le regarder voler.

Voir vs. Regarder: You 'voir' a friend by chance on the street, but you 'regarder' a movie at the cinema. Using the wrong one sounds unnatural.

Nous allons regarder un DVD ce soir dans le salon.

Pronoun placement also causes errors. Because regarder takes a direct object, it requires direct object pronouns (le, la, les). Learners sometimes mistakenly use indirect object pronouns (lui, leur) because they are mentally translating 'look at him' and assume the 'at' makes it indirect.

Pronoun Choice: Say 'Je le regarde' (I look at him/it), never 'Je lui regarde'.

Ce tableau est fascinant, je pourrais le regarder pendant des heures.

Finally, learners often forget the imperative rule for -er verbs. When telling someone 'Look!', the correct form for 'tu' is 'Regarde !', without the 's'. Writing 'Regardes !' is a common spelling mistake even among native speakers, but it is grammatically incorrect.

Regarde où tu mets les pieds, le sol est glissant !

By consciously avoiding these pitfalls—omitting the preposition, distinguishing from voir, using correct pronouns, and mastering the imperative—learners can use regarder with native-like accuracy.

While regarder is the standard, go-to verb for watching and looking, the French language offers a rich tapestry of synonyms and related verbs that provide more specific nuances of visual perception. Expanding your vocabulary beyond regarder allows for more precise and evocative communication. The most immediate relative is, of course, 'voir' (to see). As previously discussed, voir is passive perception, while regarder is active.

Je préfère observer les oiseaux plutôt que de simplement les regarder.

Observer (To observe): Observer implies a more analytical, scientific, or prolonged form of looking. You observe a phenomenon to understand it, whereas you might just watch a TV show for entertainment.

Another excellent alternative is 'contempler' (to contemplate or gaze at). This verb carries a poetic, emotional, or aesthetic weight. You contemplate a beautiful landscape, a work of art, or a loved one.

Il a passé la matinée à contempler la mer, sans même regarder son téléphone.

Fixer (To stare at): Fixer means to look at something intently and without looking away. It can sometimes have a negative connotation, like staring rudely.

Arrête de me fixer comme ça, c'est gênant, tu peux me regarder normalement.

For a more investigative or searching look, 'scruter' (to scrutinize or scan) is appropriate. You scruter the horizon for a ship, or scruter a document for errors.

Scruter (To scrutinize): This implies a very detailed, searching look, trying to find something hidden or specific.

Le détective a commencé à scruter la scène de crime, refusant de simplement la regarder de loin.

Lastly, 'visionner' is a specific term used almost exclusively for watching media, particularly in a professional or analytical context, like viewing a film for editing or watching security footage.

Nous devons visionner ces bandes avant de pouvoir les regarder avec le public.

By integrating these alternatives into your vocabulary, you can express the exact nature of the gaze, moving from the general 'regarder' to the highly specific 'scruter' or 'contempler'.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Veuillez regarder attentivement les clauses du contrat."

Neutral

"Je regarde un film avec mes amis."

Informal

"Mate un peu ça ! (Using slang 'mater' instead of regarder)"

Child friendly

"Regarde le petit chat, comme il est mignon !"

Slang

"Arrête de me reluquer. (Reluquer = to ogle/stare at)"

Fun Fact

Because 'regarder' shares the same Germanic root as the English word 'guard', when you 'regarder' something, you are etymologically 'guarding' it with your eyes!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʁə.ɡaʁ.de/

US /ʁə.ɡaʁ.de/

re-gar-DE (stress on the final syllable)

Rhymes With

parler manger aimer chercher trouver donner passer penser

Common Errors

Pronouncing the final 'r'. In the infinitive '-er', the 'r' is silent.
Pronouncing the first 'e' as 'ay'. It should be a soft 'uh' sound.
Using an English 'r' sound instead of the French guttural 'r'.
Pronouncing the 's' in 'tu regardes'. The 's' is silent.
Pronouncing the 'ent' in 'ils regardent'. The 'ent' ending for verbs is completely silent.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize. Regular -er verb endings.

Writing 2/5

Easy, but learners often mistakenly add 'à' after it.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, but remembering not to use a preposition takes practice.

Listening 2/5

In fast speech, the middle 'e' is dropped (r'garder), which can slightly confuse beginners.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

voir les yeux la télévision un film le cinéma

Learn Next

observer chercher écouter entendre montrer

Advanced

scruter contempler dévisager visionner lorgner

Grammar to Know

Transitive Verbs (Direct Objects)

Je regarde la télévision. (No preposition used)

Direct Object Pronouns (le, la, les)

Je le regarde. (I look at him/it)

Imperative Mood for -er verbs

Regarde ! (Drop the 's' for the 'tu' form)

Pronominal Verbs (Reflexive/Reciprocal)

Ils se regardent. (They look at each other)

Verbs of Perception + Infinitive

Je regarde les enfants jouer. (I watch the children play)

Examples by Level

Je regarde la télévision le soir.

I watch television in the evening.

Present tense, regular -er conjugation. Direct object 'la télévision'.

Regarde le petit chien !

Look at the little dog!

Imperative form for 'tu'. Note the absence of 's' at the end of 'Regarde'.

Nous regardons un film au cinéma.

We are watching a movie at the cinema.

Present tense, 'nous' form.

Il ne regarde pas le tableau.

He is not looking at the board.

Negative structure 'ne... pas' surrounding the conjugated verb.

Vous regardez les photos de vacances ?

Are you looking at the vacation photos?

Question formed by intonation using the 'vous' form.

Elle regarde par la fenêtre.

She is looking out the window.

Use of preposition 'par' to indicate direction of the gaze.

Regardez cette belle fleur.

Look at this beautiful flower.

Imperative form for 'vous' (formal or plural).

Les enfants regardent les dessins animés.

The children are watching cartoons.

Present tense, third person plural 'ils/elles' form.

J'ai regardé un très bon documentaire hier.

I watched a very good documentary yesterday.

Passé composé with auxiliary 'avoir'.

Je vais regarder le match de foot ce soir.

I am going to watch the football match tonight.

Futur proche using 'aller' + infinitive.

Elle se regarde dans le miroir tous les matins.

She looks at herself in the mirror every morning.

Reflexive pronominal form 'se regarder'.

Nous avons passé la journée à regarder les nuages.

We spent the day looking at the clouds.

Construction 'passer du temps à' + infinitive.

Pourquoi tu me regardes comme ça ?

Why are you looking at me like that?

Direct object pronoun 'me' placed before the verb.

Ils se sont regardés et ont souri.

They looked at each other and smiled.

Reciprocal pronominal form in the passé composé with 'être'.

Je ne veux pas regarder ce film d'horreur.

I don't want to watch this horror movie.

Infinitive form following a conjugated modal verb (vouloir).

Regarde-le, il est très drôle !

Look at him, he is very funny!

Imperative with a direct object pronoun attached by a hyphen.

Je regardais la pluie tomber quand tu as appelé.

I was watching the rain fall when you called.

Imparfait used for a continuous background action.

Cette histoire ne te regarde pas, c'est privé.

This story is none of your business, it's private.

Figurative use meaning 'to concern' or 'be the business of'.

Il mange toujours en regardant son téléphone.

He always eats while looking at his phone.

Gerund form 'en regardant' indicating simultaneous action.

C'est une émission que j'aime beaucoup regarder.

It's a show that I really like to watch.

Relative clause with 'que' where the object precedes the infinitive.

Si tu regardes bien, tu verras un oiseau dans l'arbre.

If you look closely, you will see a bird in the tree.

Use of 'bien' as an adverb to mean 'closely' or 'carefully'.

Nous les avons regardés partir avec tristesse.

We watched them leave with sadness.

Verb of perception followed by an infinitive (regarder quelqu'un faire quelque chose).

Arrête de regarder ta montre toutes les cinq minutes !

Stop looking at your watch every five minutes!

Imperative of 'arrêter de' followed by the infinitive.

Je me demande ce qu'ils regardent avec autant d'attention.

I wonder what they are looking at with such attention.

Indirect question using 'ce que'.

Il a tendance à regarder ses collègues de haut.

He tends to look down on his colleagues.

Idiomatic expression 'regarder de haut' (to look down on).

Il faut que tu regardes ce document avant la réunion.

You must look at this document before the meeting.

Subjunctive mood triggered by 'Il faut que'.

Je n'y regarderai pas à deux fois avant d'accepter cette offre.

I won't think twice before accepting this offer.

Idiom 'y regarder à deux fois' (to hesitate/think twice).

En ce qui me regarde, la décision est déjà prise.

As far as I'm concerned, the decision is already made.

Formal expression 'en ce qui me regarde' (as for me / concerning me).

Elle regardait fixement le vide, perdue dans ses pensées.

She was staring blankly into space, lost in her thoughts.

Adverb 'fixement' modifying the verb to mean 'staring'.

C'est un problème qui regarde l'ensemble de la société.

It is a problem that concerns the whole of society.

Figurative use of 'regarder' meaning 'to concern/affect'.

Même sans le regarder, je savais qu'il souriait.

Even without looking at him, I knew he was smiling.

Preposition 'sans' followed by the infinitive with a direct object pronoun.

Ils se sont regardés en chiens de faïence pendant tout le dîner.

They glared at each other coldly throughout the dinner.

Idiom 'se regarder en chiens de faïence' (to glare at each other).

Il faut savoir regarder la vérité en face, aussi dure soit-elle.

One must know how to face the truth, however harsh it may be.

Idiom 'regarder la vérité en face' (to face the truth).

Son regard en disait long, il n'avait même pas besoin de me regarder.

His gaze spoke volumes, he didn't even need to look at me.

Play on words between the noun 'regard' and the verb 'regarder'.

La critique a regardé cette œuvre d'un très mauvais œil.

The critics looked upon this work very unfavorably.

Idiom 'regarder d'un mauvais œil' (to look upon unfavorably).

Il ne regarde pas à la dépense quand il s'agit de ses enfants.

He spares no expense when it comes to his children.

Idiom 'ne pas regarder à la dépense' (to spare no expense).

En y regardant de plus près, on décèle des failles dans son raisonnement.

On closer inspection, one detects flaws in his reasoning.

Expression 'en y regardant de plus près' (on closer inspection).

Elle a été regardée de travers par les habitués du café.

She was given dirty looks by the café regulars.

Passive voice with the idiom 'regarder de travers' (to give a dirty look).

Ceux qui refusent de regarder le passé sont condamnés à le revivre.

Those who refuse to look at the past are condemned to relive it.

Philosophical/literary use of the verb.

Il la regardait à la dérobée, craignant de croiser son regard.

He was looking at her stealthily, fearing to meet her gaze.

Adverbial phrase 'à la dérobée' (stealthily/surreptitiously).

L'auteur nous invite à regarder au-delà des apparences trompeuses de la bourgeoisie.

The author invites us to look beyond the deceptive appearances of the bourgeoisie.

Abstract literary usage 'regarder au-delà' (to look beyond).

C'est une question épineuse qui regarde les fondements mêmes de notre constitution.

It is a thorny issue that concerns the very foundations of our constitution.

Highly formal figurative use meaning 'to strike at the core of'.

Il la regarda avec cette acuité froide propre aux chirurgiens.

He looked at her with that cold sharpness characteristic of surgeons.

Passé simple 'regarda', typical of written literature.

Qu'on le veuille ou non, cette crise nous regarde tous intimement.

Whether we like it or not, this crisis concerns us all intimately.

Subjunctive concession 'Qu'on le veuille ou non' with figurative 'regarder'.

Ne regardant ni à droite ni à gauche, il poursuivit son chemin avec obstination.

Looking neither to the right nor to the left, he continued on his way stubbornly.

Present participle 'regardant' used adjectivally in a negative construction.

Se regarder le nombril ne fera pas avancer le débat.

Navel-gazing will not advance the debate.

Idiom 'se regarder le nombril' (navel-gazing/being self-centered).

L'œuvre d'art ne prend vie que lorsqu'elle est regardée.

The work of art only comes to life when it is looked at.

Passive voice expressing a philosophical concept of perception.

Il l'a regardée de la tête aux pieds avec un mépris non dissimulé.

He looked her up and down with undisguised contempt.

Expression 'regarder de la tête aux pieds' (to look up and down).

Common Collocations

regarder la télévision

regarder un film

regarder par la fenêtre

se regarder dans le miroir

regarder fixement

regarder de travers

regarder autour de soi

regarder dans les yeux

regarder l'heure

ça me regarde

Common Phrases

Ça ne te regarde pas.

— It's none of your business. Used to tell someone to stay out of a private matter.

Ne pose pas de questions, ça ne te regarde pas.

Regarde où tu marches !

— Watch your step! Used as a warning to avoid tripping or stepping on something.

Attention, regarde où tu marches, il y a du verre cassé.

Regarde-moi ça !

— Look at that! An exclamation of surprise, admiration, or disgust.

Regarde-moi ça, quel désordre dans cette chambre !

Il faut y regarder à deux fois.

— You have to think twice. Advising caution before making a decision.

C'est un gros investissement, il faut y regarder à deux fois.

Regarder de haut.

— To look down on someone. To act superior or condescending.

Depuis qu'il a été promu, il regarde tout le monde de haut.

Regarder la vérité en face.

— To face the truth. To accept a difficult reality.

Il est temps de regarder la vérité en face, ce projet est un échec.

Se regarder en chiens de faïence.

— To glare at each other. Two people looking at each other with hostility.

Les deux rivaux se sont regardés en chiens de faïence.

Regarder d'un mauvais œil.

— To look unfavorably upon. To disapprove of something.

Le patron regarde d'un mauvais œil les retards fréquents.

Ne pas regarder à la dépense.

— To spare no expense. To spend money freely without worrying.

Pour leur mariage, ils n'ont pas regardé à la dépense.

En ce qui me regarde...

— As far as I'm concerned... Used to introduce one's personal opinion.

En ce qui me regarde, je suis totalement d'accord avec toi.

Often Confused With

regarder vs Voir

Voir means to see (passive). Regarder means to watch or look at (active). You 'voir' a mountain in the distance, but you 'regarder' a TV show.

regarder vs Chercher

English speakers often translate 'look for' as 'regarder pour'. This is wrong. 'To look for' is 'chercher'.

regarder vs Paraître / Avoir l'air

To 'look' as in appearance (e.g., 'You look tired') is NOT regarder. It is 'Tu as l'air fatigué' or 'Tu parais fatigué'.

Idioms & Expressions

"Regarder voler les mouches"

— To stare blankly, doing nothing. Being idle or bored.

Pendant cette réunion ennuyeuse, je regardais voler les mouches.

informal

"Se regarder le nombril"

— To be self-centered or navel-gazing. Focusing only on oneself.

Arrête de te regarder le nombril et aide les autres.

informal

"Regarder par le trou de la serrure"

— To spy or be a peeping Tom. Being overly curious about private matters.

Il adore les potins, il passe son temps à regarder par le trou de la serrure.

neutral

"Regarder à la loupe"

— To examine very closely. To scrutinize every detail.

Le contrat a été regardé à la loupe par les avocats.

neutral

"Ne regarder que soi"

— To only concern oneself. To be a private matter.

Mes choix politiques ne regardent que moi.

neutral

"Regarder quelqu'un de travers"

— To give someone a dirty look. To look at someone with hostility.

Le videur m'a regardé de travers quand je suis entré.

informal

"Regarder la mort en face"

— To stare death in the face. To be in a life-threatening situation.

Le soldat a raconté comment il a regardé la mort en face.

literary

"Regarder sous le nez de quelqu'un"

— To look right under someone's nose. Missing something obvious.

Tes clés sont là, tu ne regardes pas sous ton nez !

informal

"Regarder de la tête aux pieds"

— To look someone up and down. Often implies judgment.

La vendeuse m'a regardé de la tête aux pieds avec mépris.

neutral

"Regarder à deux fois"

— To hesitate or be careful before acting.

Avant de sauter, il vaut mieux y regarder à deux fois.

neutral

Easily Confused

regarder vs Voir

Both relate to sight.

Voir is the physical ability or passive act of seeing. Regarder is the intentional act of directing your eyes. If your eyes are open, you 'vois'. If you focus on something, you 'regardes'.

Je vois l'écran, mais je ne regarde pas le film.

regarder vs Chercher

English uses 'look' for both 'look at' and 'look for'.

Chercher means to search or look for. Regarder means to look at. Never use regarder to mean searching for lost keys.

Je cherche mes clés. (I am looking for my keys).

regarder vs Sembler / Avoir l'air

English uses 'look' to describe appearance (He looks sad).

Regarder is an action you do with your eyes. Avoir l'air describes how someone appears to others.

Il a l'air triste. (He looks sad).

regarder vs Observer

Synonyms with slightly different registers.

Observer is more analytical and formal. You watch (regarder) a football game, but a scientist observes (observer) a chemical reaction.

L'astronome observe les étoiles.

regarder vs Veiller

English uses 'watch over'.

To watch over or take care of someone is 'veiller sur', not 'regarder sur'.

La mère veille sur son enfant malade.

Sentence Patterns

Sujet + regarder + Nom

Je regarde la télévision.

Sujet + Pronom COD + regarder

Je le regarde.

Impératif + Nom

Regarde ce chien !

Sujet + se regarder + (dans le miroir)

Elle se regarde dans le miroir.

Sujet + regarder + Nom + Infinitif

Je regarde les oiseaux voler.

Ça + ne + Pronom + regarder + pas

Ça ne te regarde pas.

En + regardant + Adverbe

En y regardant de plus près...

Sujet + regarder + Nom + de + Adjectif + œil

Il regarde ce projet d'un mauvais œil.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Top 100 most common French verbs.

Common Mistakes

Je regarde à la télévision. → Je regarde la télévision.
Regarder is a transitive verb and takes a direct object. Do not translate the English 'at'.
Je regarde pour mes clés. → Je cherche mes clés.
To 'look for' something is 'chercher'. 'Regarder pour' is a literal, incorrect translation.
Tu regardes fatigué. → Tu as l'air fatigué.
To describe how someone appears, use 'avoir l'air' or 'sembler', not regarder.
Regardes le chien ! → Regarde le chien !
In the imperative form for 'tu', regular -er verbs drop the final 's'.
Je lui regarde. → Je le regarde.
Because regarder takes a direct object, you must use direct object pronouns (le/la/les), not indirect ones (lui/leur).

Tips

No Prepositions

Never put 'à', 'de', or 'pour' directly after regarder when indicating the object you are looking at. It is always 'regarder [noun]'.

Not for 'Looking For'

Erase 'regarder pour' from your brain. If you lose something, you 'chercher' it.

Not for Appearance

If someone 'looks' tired, do not use regarder. Use 'avoir l'air' (Il a l'air fatigué).

Drop the 'e'

To sound more native, drop the middle 'e' in casual speech: 'Je r'garde la télé'.

Imperative Spelling

Remember to drop the 's' for the 'tu' command: 'Regarde !' not 'Regardes !'.

TV vs Cinema

You usually 'regarder' a movie on TV, but you 'voir' a movie at the cinema. (J'ai vu un bon film au cinéma).

Setting Boundaries

Use 'Ça ne te regarde pas' to tell someone to mind their own business. It's very common but slightly aggressive.

Direct Object Pronouns

Use le, la, les. 'Je le regarde' (I look at him). Never use lui or leur.

Staring is Rude

If you look too long, it becomes 'dévisager' or 'fixer', which is considered impolite in France.

Philosophical Gaze

In advanced texts, 'le regard' refers to the philosophical concept of how we perceive and judge others.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a GUARD named RAY (Re-guard-er) who is WATCHING the castle. Ray-guard-er = to watch.

Visual Association

Picture a pair of eyes wearing a security guard's hat. They are actively 'guarding' (watching) a television screen.

Word Web

regarder télévision yeux voir attention film miroir observer

Challenge

Next time you turn on the TV or look out the window, say out loud: 'Je regarde la télé' or 'Je regarde par la fenêtre'. Try to use it three times today.

Word Origin

The word 'regarder' comes from Old French 'reguarder'. It is composed of the prefix 're-' (indicating intensity or repetition) and 'garder' (to keep, watch over, or guard). 'Garder' itself comes from the Frankish word '*wardōn', which shares roots with the English word 'ward' and 'guard'.

Original meaning: Originally, it meant to guard or protect something carefully, hence the intensive prefix 're-'. Over time, the meaning shifted from 'watching over' to simply 'watching' or 'looking at'.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > Gallo-Romance > Oïl > French

Cultural Context

Be careful with the idiom 'regarder de travers' (to look at someone the wrong way). In some urban contexts, asking 'Pourquoi tu me regardes ?' (Why are you looking at me?) can be perceived as an aggressive challenge to a fight.

English speakers often say 'look at' and 'watch' as distinct concepts. French uses 'regarder' for both. English speakers also use 'look for', which is NOT 'regarder pour', but rather a completely different verb: 'chercher'.

The movie 'Regarde les hommes tomber' (See How They Fall) directed by Jacques Audiard. The famous quote by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: 'Aimer, ce n'est pas se regarder l'un l'autre, c'est regarder ensemble dans la même direction.' (Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.) The song 'Regarde-moi' by Céline Dion.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Watching Media

regarder la télé
regarder un film
regarder une série
regarder les infos

Directing Attention

Regarde !
Regardez ça.
Regarde le tableau.
Regarde par ici.

Personal Appearance

se regarder dans le miroir
regarder sa tenue
regarder sa coiffure
se regarder

Expressing Concern/Boundaries

ça me regarde
ça ne te regarde pas
en ce qui me regarde
ça nous regarde tous

Observing Surroundings

regarder par la fenêtre
regarder le paysage
regarder les gens passer
regarder autour de soi

Conversation Starters

"Qu'est-ce que tu aimes regarder à la télévision le week-end ?"

"Quel est le dernier film que tu as regardé au cinéma ?"

"Est-ce que tu passes beaucoup de temps à regarder ton téléphone ?"

"Aimes-tu t'asseoir à la terrasse d'un café pour regarder les gens passer ?"

"Quand tu visites un musée, combien de temps passes-tu à regarder une peinture ?"

Journal Prompts

Décris la dernière chose magnifique que tu as regardée.

Écris sur une émission de télévision que tu regardais quand tu étais enfant.

Que vois-tu quand tu regardes par la fenêtre de ta chambre en ce moment ?

Raconte une situation où quelqu'un t'a dit 'Ça ne te regarde pas'.

Préfères-tu regarder des films d'action ou des documentaires ? Pourquoi ?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. Regarder is a transitive verb. It takes a direct object. You say 'Je regarde la télévision', never 'Je regarde à la télévision'. This is the most common mistake English speakers make.

You must use the verb 'chercher'. Say 'Je cherche mes clés'. Do not use 'regarder pour', as this is a literal and incorrect translation from English.

Do not use regarder. To describe appearance, use 'être' or 'avoir l'air'. Say 'Tu es belle' or 'Tu as l'air magnifique'.

'Voir' is passive (to see), while 'regarder' is active (to watch/look at). You 'voir' a bird fly by, but you 'regarder' a movie on Netflix.

For all regular '-er' verbs in French, the 's' is dropped in the 'tu' form of the imperative. So it is 'Regarde !' (Look!), 'Mange !' (Eat!), 'Parle !' (Speak!).

It is a figurative expression meaning 'That concerns me' or 'That is my business'. Conversely, 'Ça ne te regarde pas' means 'It's none of your business'.

No. Regarder is strictly for visual perception. For music, use 'écouter' (to listen to).

Use the imperative with a direct object pronoun attached by a hyphen: 'Regarde-le !'.

Yes, it is a completely regular '-er' verb. It follows the standard conjugation patterns for all tenses without any stem changes or irregularities.

It is the pronominal form. It can be reflexive (to look at oneself, e.g., in a mirror) or reciprocal (to look at each other).