Je regarde depuis de belles collines

Anita P.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Je regarde depuis de belles collines

Very interested by Chris’s use of “depuis” in “Je regarde depuis de belles collines”. Does using “depuis” impact a slight change in the English translation such as “I have been watching from beautiful hills” or am I overthinking it.

Asked 1 year ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

No, in this case depuis is simply a spatial preposition.

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Bonjour Anita,

https://www.cnrtl.fr/definition/depuis#:~:text=Pr%C3%A9p.%20indiquant%20un%20point%20de%20r%C3%A9f%C3%A9rence%20initial%2C%20spatial%20ou%20temporel%2C%20%C3%A0%20partir%20duquel%20une%20action%20se%20produit%20et%20dure%2C%20et%20sp%C3%A9cifiant%20donc%20un%20intervalle%20dont%20le%20point%20terminal%20est%20%C3%A9ventuellement%20exprim%C3%A9%20par%20jusqu%27%C3%A0/en/au.

If you were to visit the attachment you should find further information to aid your understanding.

Bonne journée

Jim

Ray T.B1Kwiziq community member

Since depuis means since, I do not see it working in this case.

Anita P. asked:

Je regarde depuis de belles collines

Very interested by Chris’s use of “depuis” in “Je regarde depuis de belles collines”. Does using “depuis” impact a slight change in the English translation such as “I have been watching from beautiful hills” or am I overthinking it.

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Clever stuff happening!