regarde ça
The English phrase "check it out" is translated into French as regarde ça.
This expression is used to tell someone to look at or notice something interesting.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative verb regarde (look) and the demonstrative pronoun ça (that/it).
Which one should you use?
While regarde ça is a direct way to say "check it out", you can also use the informal idiomatic expression Jette un œil to mean "take a look". If you want to soften the command and make it sound more natural, similar to saying "take a look at this", you can use regarde un peu, which adds the meaning of "for a bit".
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing more than one person or using a formal tone, you must use regardez ça instead of regarde ça.
Did you know?
- If you want to sound more idiomatic or casual, you can use Jette un œil, which literally translates to 'throw an eye' at something.
- The French use of ça to represent 'that' or 'it' is a calque of the German word Es, which functions as a substantivized pronoun.
- In many French-speaking regions, you might hear people use dis donc as an exclamation before saying regarde ça to grab someone's attention even more effectively.
Examples in context
- Prenez connaissance de cela avant la réunion.Check it out before the meeting.
- Je vous invite à jeter un coup d'œil à cette nouvelle exposition.I invite you to check out this new exhibition.
- Examinez-le attentivement pour détecter les erreurs.Check it out carefully to detect any errors.
- Regarde ça, c'est trop cool !Check it out, it's so cool!
- Jette un œil à ce nouveau jeu vidéo.Take a look at this new video game.
- Regarde ça, c'est incroyable !Check it out, it's incredible!
- Regarde ça, c'est magnifique !Check it out, it's magnificent!
- Regarde ça, il y a un renard dans le jardin.Check it out, there's a fox in the garden.
- Regarde ça, le ciel est tout rose.Check it out, the sky is all pink.
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are walking in a park.
- NathanRegarde ça, Chloé, un arc-en-ciel !Check it out, Chloé, a rainbow!
- ChloéOh, il est vraiment beau.Oh, it is really beautiful.
- NathanOn peut le prendre en photo.We can take a photo of it.
- ChloéBonne idée, Nathan.Good idea, Nathan.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ça, CC BY-SA 4.0.
