French Phrase
On préfère une table dehors.
Meaning
The sentence means “We prefer a table outside.” It is typically said when you and your companions are choosing where to sit, especially in a café or restaurant that offers both indoor and outdoor seating.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are ordering or requesting a seat and want to indicate a preference for outdoor seating. It works well in casual conversation, at cafés, bistros, or any dining venue with a patio or terrace.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Onpréfèreunetabledehors
On (impersonal pronoun)
Used to refer to people in general or as a casual 'we' in spoken French, conjugated like third‑person singular.
Préférer (present, 3rd pers. sing.)
Regular -er verb meaning 'to prefer'; the stem changes e → è before a silent e (préfère).
Une (indefinite article)
Feminine singular indefinite article meaning 'a' or 'an', placed before a feminine noun.
Table (feminine noun)
Means 'table' (the piece of furniture) and is feminine, hence paired with 'une'.
Dehors (adverb)
Means 'outside'; used after the noun or at the end of the clause to indicate location.
🗨In Conversation
Vous voulez une table à l'intérieur ou à l'extérieur ?
Do you want a table inside or outside?
On préfère une table dehors.
We prefer a table outside.
✕Common Mistakes
Nous préfère une table dehors.
The verb must agree with the subject; use ‘préférons’ with ‘nous’.
On préfère un table dehors.
‘Table’ is feminine, so the article must be ‘une’, not ‘un’.
On préfère une table à dehors.
‘Dehors’ is an adverb and should not be preceded by ‘à’. Use ‘à l'extérieur’ if you need a prepositional phrase.
↔Alternatives
Nous préférons une table à l'extérieur.
We prefer a table outside.
On aimerait une table dehors.
We would like a table outside.
Je préfère une table à l'extérieur.
I prefer a table outside.
Cultural Tip
In France, especially during the warm months, outdoor terraces (terrasses) are very popular. Saying “On préfère une table dehors” sounds natural and informal; native speakers often use “on” instead of “nous” in casual settings. If you want to sound a bit more formal, switch to “Nous préférons…”. Also note that “dehors” is slightly more colloquial than the more precise “à l'extérieur”.