Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| dehors | /də.ɔʁ/ |
| à l'extérieur | /a l‿ɛk.ste.ʁjœʁ/ |
In French, the concept of being 'out' refers to being away from one's usual place or not being indoors. While dehors is common, you may also see à l'extérieur used to describe being outside. If you wish to express the idea of going away, you would use the verb partir or use s'échapper to mean 'to escape'. To say one stood out from a group, the idiom sortir du lot is used. You can also use the phrase j'en suis sorti gagnant to say 'I came out as a winner'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word dehors functions as an adverb and does not change its form based on gender or number. If you are referring to a physical means of exit, you would use the nouns issue or sortie instead.
How do you pronounce it?
/də.ɔʁ/
When do people say it?
When used as an exclamation to tell someone to leave a room, shouting Dehors ! is a common and blunt way to command someone to get out. If you are looking to reveal a secret, use the verbs révéler, divulguer or dévoiler.
Did you know?
- While dehors means 'outside', French speakers use the phrase être à l'ouest to describe someone who is 'out of it' or mentally absent.
- The word dehors actually shares its roots with the English word 'foray', as both trace back to the Latin word for 'outside' or 'out of doors'.
- The phrase sortir du lot literally means 'to exit the batch', using a word for a heap of fabric or a lot of goods.
Examples in context
- Tom est là dehors.Tom is out there.This sentence shows how to use dehors to say someone is out there.Tatoeba #4451302 by franlexcois, translation #2273347 by CK
- Ma mère est dehors.My mother is out.This sentence uses dehors to indicate someone is out.Tatoeba #135055 by Aiji, translation #320703 by CK
- Il cria « Dehors ! »He shouted, "Get out!"This sentence demonstrates using dehors as a blunt command to get out.Tatoeba #132582 by Aiji, translation #299391 by CK
- Je suis hors de danger.I am out of danger.
- Nous avons rendez-vous à l'extérieur du musée.We have a meeting outside the museum.
- Elle est à l'extérieur du bureau en ce moment.She is out of the office at the moment.
- Il fait beau, allons jouer dehors!The weather is nice, let's go play outside!
- Ne reste pas dehors trop tard.Don't stay out too late.
- Je sors prendre l'air.I'm going out to get some fresh air.
- On sort souvent pour se détendre.We often go out to relax.
- 246 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are at home on a rainy day.
- NathanIl fait froid dehors.It is cold outside.
- ChloéOui, on reste ici.Yes, let's stay here.
- NathanTu veux aller dehors ?Do you want to go out?
- ChloéNon, je préfère rester.No, I prefer to stay.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “out” translations and entries dehors, à l'extérieur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dehors, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
