aller dehors
To go outside in French is aller dehors.
The phrase is used to describe leaving a building or an indoor space to be in the open air.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb aller (to go) and the adverb dehors (outside).
Which one should you use?
While aller dehors emphasizes being in the open air, the word sortir is more commonly used to mean the act of exiting a room or a building. Additionally, aller à l'extérieur is a more formal way to express going outside compared to the more common aller dehors.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, the informal expression Partir dehors is used to say go outside.
Did you know?
- The French word dehors is a linguistic cousin of the English word 'doors', both descending from the Latin root 'foris' meaning 'outside'.
- The word dehors is used in the common idiom mettre dehors, which means to kick someone out or evict them from a home.
- In France, the phrase sortir le chien is used to say 'walk the dog', which literally translates to 'take the dog outside'.
Examples in context
- Je ne veux pas aller dehors.I don't want to go outside.This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of desire to use aller dehors.Tatoeba #1186499 by sacredceltic, translation #1186462 by CK
- Tu ne peux pas aller dehors.You can't go outside.This sentence is useful for expressing an inability to use aller dehors.Tatoeba #5741464 by Yemana, translation #5715086 by CK
- J'étais incapable d'aller dehors.I was unable to go outside.This sentence is useful for expressing a past state of being unable to use aller dehors.Tatoeba #1259623 by sacredceltic, translation #1258461 by CK
- Je vais aller à l'extérieurI am going to go outside
- Je souhaite sortir à l'air libreI wish to go outside into the open air
- Je vais sortir dehorsI'm going to go outside
- J'ai besoin d'aller prendre l'airI need to go get some fresh air
- Je pense aller me promener dehorsI'm thinking of going for a walk outside
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are inside during a sunny day.
- GabrielIl fait beau, on peut aller dehors ?The weather is nice, can we go outside?
- ManonOui, on peut aller dehors maintenant.Yes, we can go outside now.
- GabrielJe vais prendre mon chapeau.I am going to take my hat.
- ManonC'est une bonne idée, Gabriel.That is a good idea, Gabriel.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aller, dehors, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
