French Phrase
Tu regardes seulement ?
Meaning
Literally, “You are only watching?” It is used to confirm that someone is just observing rather than taking part, often with a hint of surprise or mild reproach.
When to use
Use this short question when you notice a friend is passively watching a film, a game, or a conversation and you want to check if they intend to join in or just stay on the sidelines.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Turegardesseulement?
Pronoun Tu
‘Tu’ is the informal second‑person singular pronoun used with friends, family, or peers.
Present tense of regarder
‘Regarder’ is a regular -er verb; in the present indicative for ‘tu’ it becomes ‘regardes’.
Adverb placement – seulement
‘Seulement’ (only) normally follows the verb it modifies, especially in spoken French.
Question intonation without inversion
In informal speech a yes‑no question can be formed simply by raising the pitch at the end, no inversion needed.
🗨In Conversation
Tu regardes seulement ?
Are you just watching?
Non, je vais aussi jouer après le film.
No, I’ll play too after the movie.
✕Common Mistakes
Tu seulement regardes ?
Placing ‘seulement’ before the verb (‘Tu seulement regardes ?’) sounds unnatural in French.
Tu regarde seulement ?
For ‘tu’, the verb must be conjugated as ‘regardes’, not ‘regarde’ (which is 3rd‑person singular).
Tu regardes seulement.
Leaving out the question mark or rising intonation makes it a statement, not a question.
↔Alternatives
Tu ne fais que regarder ?
Are you only watching?
Tu te contentes de regarder ?
Are you content with just watching?
Tu te limites à regarder ?
Do you limit yourself to watching?
Cultural Tip
In everyday French, especially among peers, questions are often formed with a rising intonation rather than the formal inversion ‘Regardes‑tu…?’. Adding ‘seulement’ after the verb keeps the sentence light and colloquial. Be careful with tone: a slightly raised pitch can convey curiosity, while a flatter tone may sound accusatory.