To describe actions exactly as they unfold in front of you, French uses perception verbs in a specific way.
The Predicative Relative "qui"
In English, we typically describe an observed action using an "-ing" verb, such as "I watch the woman filling her bag." French instead uses a relative clause starting with qui followed by a conjugated verb.
[Perception verb] + [Object] + qui + [Conjugated verb]
| I see the producer setting up his colorful stand. | Je vois le producteur qui installe son stand coloré. |
| I watch the woman filling her shopping bag with vegetables. | Je regarde la femme qui remplit son cabas de légumes. |
| I hear the customer haggling more and more loudly. | J'entends le client qui marchande de plus en plus fort. |
Using Different Perception Verbs
This structure works consistently across all verbs of perception:
- voir (to see)
- regarder (to watch)
- entendre (to hear)
- écouter (to listen to)
- sentir (to smell)
- observer (to observe)
- apercevoir (to spot)
| Do you smell the poultry cooking behind this stand? | Tu sens la volaille qui cuit derrière ce stand ? |
| I observe the producer weighing the vegetables on the scale. | J'observe le producteur qui pèse les légumes sur la balance. |
| I spot the child savoring a colorful fruit. | J'aperçois l'enfant qui savoure un fruit coloré. |
Capturing the Atmosphere
Notice how this structure captures the continuous, overlapping actions of a bustling scene:
| The market is so lively that I watch the people strolling. | Le marché est tellement animé que je regarde les gens qui flânent. |
| I hear the old street vendor who is calling out to someone. | J'entends le vieux camelot qui interpelle quelqu'un. |
| I see the customer who is strolling in the market. | Je vois le client qui déambule dans le marché. |
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