forīs
The English word "outside" can be translated into Latin as forīs. Wiktionary also lists forās.
Meaning: outdoors (adv)
Ways to say it
| Latin |
|---|
| forīs |
| forās |
When you want to say that something is happening "outdoors", use the adverb forīs. This describes a position or movement relative to a building or an enclosed area.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the adverb and the preposition. Use forīs to mean "outdoors" generally. If you need to say that something is "on the outside of" or "outside of" a specific object, use the preposition extrā.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form forīs is an adverb used to describe movement or position relative to a building or enclosed space.
Did you know?
- The word extrā shares a root with the English word 'extravagant'. While we use it for spending too much, the Latin root implies being 'outside' the bounds or limits of what is normal.
- Ancient Romans used the term foris as a noun meaning 'door', which is why the adverb forīs literally translates to being 'at the door'.
- The word forīs was used by Romans to signify the public sphere of civic life, creating a sharp cultural divide between the private 'domus' and the 'outside' world.
Examples in context
- Nos ambulavimus foris.We walked outside.
- Est extra aedificium.He is outside the building.
- Aliquid novi forinsecus audivi.I heard something new from outside.
- Canis forīs currit.The dog runs outside.
- Eamus forīs ad solem.Let us go outside to the sun.
- Infantes forīs ludunt.The children are playing outside.
Example conversation
Julia and Marcus are standing in a doorway on a sunny day.
- JuliaVidesne? Calidum est forīs.Do you see? It is warm outside.
- MarcusIta vero, Julia. Eamus forīs!Yes, Julia. Let's go outside!
- JuliaBene est, Marce. Libri hic manebunt.That is good, Marcus. The books will stay here.
- MarcusNunc ambulare possumus.Now we can walk.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “outside” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
