'I hadn't wanted to stay out that long'?

[Iman Pirmohamed]

Any help? I know dehors is outside, but what is just 'out' in this context?

Thanks

[Neil Coffey]

"dehors" really covers both senses: French doesn't really make the same distinction between "out" and "outside". So for example, you could say "Je n'avais pas voulu rester si longtemps dehors". Similarly, if you say "manger dehors", as well as literally meaning "eat outside in the open air", it can also mean "it in a restaurant/not at home".

 

However, if you want to emphasise the idea of "not being at home", then you can turn it round and say e.g. "J'avais voulu rentrer plus tôt."

 

[Iman Pirmohamed]

Ah right. Thanks for clearing that up for me :)