French Verb 'regarder': Complete Guide to Meaning, Conjugation & Usage

As an essential verb in French, "regarder" is a crucial part of any language learner's toolkit. With multiple meanings and tenses, it can be overwhelming for beginners, but with this comprehensive guide, you'll master the art of using "regarder" like a native.

What Does 'regarder' Mean in French?

"Regarder" has several meanings depending on the context. Primarily, it means to look at or gaze upon something, which can be physical (e.g., watching a movie) or figurative (e.g., paying attention to someone's words). Additionally, "regarder" can imply taking an interest in something, such as studying or observing.

Conjugation of 'regarder'

Here is the conjugation table for "regarder":

Pronoun	Present	Passé composé	Futur simple
J'au	regarde	j'ai regardé	je regarderai
Tu	regardes	tu as regardé	tu regarderas
Ils/elles	regardent	ils ont regardé/elles ont regardé	ils regarderont/elles regarderont

How to Use 'regarder' in a Sentence'

Here are six example sentences showcasing the versatility of "regarder": Je regarde souvent des films le week-end. (I watch movies often on weekends.) J'ai regardé la télévision toute la nuit. (I watched TV all night.) Nous regardons un match de football demain. (We're watching a soccer game tomorrow.) La classe regarde un documentaire sur l'environnement. (The class is watching an environmental documentary.) J'ai regardé une émission de télévision très intéressante hier soir. (I watched a very interesting TV show last night.) Ma sœur regarde souvent des séries TV sur Netflix. (My sister often watches TV series on Netflix.)

Common Expressions and Phrases with 'regarder'

Here are four idiomatic French expressions using "regarder": * Regarder avec des lunettes roses, meaning to look at something through rose-tinted glasses (to have a positive or optimistic view). * Ne pas regarder à droite, ne pas regarder à gauche, meaning to focus on the task at hand and not worry about distractions. * Regarder la vie en face, meaning to confront reality or accept the situation as it is. * Regarder à droite et à gauche avant de passer à l'action, meaning to think carefully before acting.

Tips for Remembering 'regarder'

Here are two memory tricks to help you remember "regarder": 1. Associate the verb with a physical action, such as looking at something or paying attention to someone. 2. Practice using "regarder" in different contexts, such as watching a movie or studying for an exam. Practice the verb regarder on My-French.com