how does "de" mean "at"?

R. E.B1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Why does the de in Je regarde de belles collines mean at?

Asked 5 years ago

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Regarder means "to look at".

Je regarde la maison. -- I look at the house.
Je regarde de belles collines. -- I look at beautiful hills.

It isn't "de" that means "at". The "at" is part of the verb "regarder".

Like45 years ago

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

But, strictly speaking, the sentence:

Je regarde des collines is ambiguous. It can mean "I look at hills" as well as "I look from hills".

Like35 years ago

Why does the de in Je regarde de belles collines mean at?

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard