🙈❌👀🔍

How to Say ‘I haven't seen anything, but I'll keep an eye out.’ in French

Je n'ai rien vu, mais je vais faire attention.

zhuh n ay ree-ehn vew meh zhuh veh fehr ah-tahn-SYOHN

[zhuh n ay ree-ehn vew meh zhuh veh fehr ah-tahn-SYOHN]

Phrase Breakdown

Je n'ai rien vu,

zhuh n ay ree-ehn vew

I didn't see anything,

This is the passé composé with "ne... rien" (nothing). "N'ai" is said like "nay", and "vu" has the rounded French "u" sound.

Example

Je n'ai rien vu hier.

I didn't see anything yesterday.

Words in this phrase

[zhuh]

Pronoun used by the speaker to identify themselves.

Example

Je suis content.

I am happy.

[n]

not

Shortened form of 'ne' used in negation before a vowel.

Example

Il n'y a plus rien ici.

There is nothing left here anymore.

[ay]

have

Form of 'avoir' used with past participles to make the past tense.

Example

J'ai beaucoup appris grâce à notre discussion.

I learned a lot thanks to our discussion.

rien

[ree-ehn]

nothing / anything (with negation)

With ne… rien, it means “nothing/anything” in a negative sentence: “Don’t tell me anything.”

Example

Ne me raconte rien : je vais le regarder ce soir.

Don’t tell me anything: I’m going to watch it tonight.

[vew]

seen

Past participle of voir, used in tu as vu meaning did you see / have you seen.

Example

Tu as vu le gardien plonger ?

Did you see the goalkeeper dive?

mais je vais

meh zhuh veh

but I am going to

"Mais" (but) introduces the contrast. Pause briefly after the comma, then link "mais je vais" smoothly.

Example

Mais je vais essayer.

But I'm going to try.

Words in this phrase

mais

[meh]

But

Used to introduce a contrast.

Example

Il est petit mais fort.

He is small but strong.

[zhuh]

Pronoun used by the speaker to identify themselves.

Example

Je suis content.

I am happy.

vais

[veh]

am going to

Present tense of 'go,' used to express future intention.

Example

Je vais préparer le dîner.

I am going to prepare dinner.

faire attention.

fehr ah-tahn-SYOHN

pay attention / be careful.

This fixed expression means to watch out. Make the "an" in "attention" nasal.

Example

Je vais faire attention à lui.

I'm going to keep an eye on him.

Words in this phrase

faire

[fehr]

to do / to make

Infinitive of faire; often used with activities and sports.

Example

J'aime faire du roller fitness le soir.

I like doing fitness inline skating in the evening.

attention

[ah-tahn-SYOHN]

attention / care

Used with 'faire' to mean paying attention or being careful.

Example

Fais attention à la route.

Pay attention to the road.

Guides for French learners

Ordering in French: Cafés, Bakeries and Restaurants (with Menu Vocabulary)How to order in French at a café, a bakery and a restaurant: the phrases, the questions staff ask, and the menu and food vocabulary to understand the answers.Hello in French: Greetings, Good Evening and How to Answer "How Are You?"How to say hello in French, when to switch to good evening, how to ask how are you and what to answer, with tu vs vous and native audio.

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 feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

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 lessons 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