How do you say "I started watching" in French?

"I started watching" in French is "J’ai commencé à regarder". This phrase is commonly used in France.

🔜👀

How to Say ‘I started watching’ in French

Q: What does "J’ai commencé à regarder" mean in English?

"J’ai commencé à regarder" means "I started watching" in English. Usage tip: [Commencer à] is the usual French pattern for "start doing" something: [commencer à regarder], [commencer à lire], [commencer à travailler]. English often uses "start + -ing," but French uses [à] plus the basic verb.

J’ai commencé à regarder

zhay ay koh-mahn-SAY ah ruh-gar-DAY

[zhay ay koh-mahn-SAY ah ruh-gar-DAY]

💬 Usage Tip: [Commencer à] is the usual French pattern for "start doing" something: [commencer à regarder], [commencer à lire], [commencer à travailler]. English often uses "start + -ing," but French uses [à] plus the basic verb.

Phrase Breakdown

J’

[zhay]

I (contracted form of « je »)

« J’ » is « je » before a vowel sound. It’s used in many common phrases: « j’ai », « j’aime », etc.

Example

J’ ai commencé à regarder cette série hier.

I started watching this series yesterday.

[ay]

have (1st person singular)

Auxiliary verb « avoir » in the passé composé. With a past participle it gives past meaning: « j’ai commencé ».

Example

J’ ai déjà commencé la saison 2.

I’ve already started season 2.

commencé

[koh-mahn-SAY]

started; began

Past participle meaning “started”. Often used for starting an anime, a season, or an episode list.

Example

J’ai commencé One Piece, mais c’est long !

I started One Piece, but it’s long!

[ah]

to (before an infinitive)

Preposition used with certain verbs: « commencer à », « apprendre à », etc. It introduces what you start doing.

Example

J’ai commencé à regarder des animés en VO.

I started watching anime in original version.

regarder

[ruh-gar-DAY]

to watch; watching

Infinitive “to watch”. In context: « commencer à regarder » = “to start watching”.

Example

J’ai commencé à regarder Naruto hier soir.

I started watching Naruto last night.

Guides for French learners

The Best App to Learn French: An Honest ComparisonDuolingo, Babbel, Pimsleur, Busuu, italki and PrettyFluent compared for learning French: what each is best at, how you pay, and which fits your goal.French Conversation for Beginners: 5 Everyday Dialogues You'll Actually UseFive short French conversations for beginners, from greeting a neighbour to booking a restaurant, with translations, native audio and the phrases that keep them going.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Custom Scenarios

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Moved to Lyon for a culinary apprenticeship. The food and restaurant scenarios were exactly what I needed — my French colleagues were genuinely impressed.”

Tom H., 38, Chef

“Studying in Paris and the academic French I learned in school was useless for daily life. This app filled the gap in weeks, not months.”

Nina W., 29, Graduate Student

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer