見ているだけです
mite iru dake desu
In Japanese, "just looking" is expressed as 見ているだけです (mite iru dake desu).
This phrase is used to tell a shop assistant that you do not need help because you are only browsing.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 見ているだけです is composed of the verb 見ている (looking/seeing), the particle だけ (only/just) and です (is/am/are).
Which one should you use?
You may also see the version ただ見ているだけ, which translates to "Just looking."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase 見ているだけです is a variation of the phrase expressing that you are only looking. The version 見ているだけ, which drops the です, is informal and suitable for use with friends or in very casual settings, but should be avoided with shop staff. Additionally, ただ見ているだけ is an informal way to say "Just looking."
How do you pronounce it?
mite iru dake desu
Did you know?
- In some Japanese stores, staff may stand silently nearby while you browse, which is a sign of attentiveness rather than an attempt to pressure you into buying.
- While 見ているだけです is polite, Japanese shop staff often use an extremely formal style called keigo that makes them sound like they are serving royalty, even in a casual clothing store.
- The particle だけ in this phrase is a powerful tool in Japanese that can change a sentence from a simple statement to a firm boundary, effectively telling others 'nothing else' is happening.
Examples in context
- 見ているだけです。I'm just looking.Tatoeba #2413217 by tommy_san, translation #499998 by drnm2
- ちょっと見ているだけです。I'm just looking around.Tatoeba #202782 by bunbuku, translation #40017 by CK
- いいえ、ちょっと見ているだけです。No, thank you. I'm just looking.Tatoeba #229454 by small_snow, translation #66813 by CK
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man approaches a woman in a clothing store to offer assistance.
- 蓮 Ren何かお探しですか？Nanika osagashi desu ka?Are you looking for something?
- 陽葵 Himariいいえ、見ているだけです。Iie, mite iru dake desu.No, I'm just looking.
- 蓮 Ren承知いたしました。Shochi itashimashita.I understand.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
