外 (wài) — outside, beyond, other
HSK 2 | noun/locative | outside, exterior, beyond (contrast with 内)
外 (wài)
A locative word meaning outside or beyond. Used to indicate physical location (outside a room, building) or figurative scope (beyond that, in addition to). The opposite is 内 (nèi, inside/interior).
Meanings
- [noun/locative] Outside, exterior.
- [noun] Other, beyond, in addition to.
Example Sentences
外面很冷，多穿点衣服。 Wàimiàn hěn lěng, duō chuān diǎn yīfu. It is very cold outside. Wear more clothes.
请在门外等一下。 Qǐng zài mén wài děng yīxià. Please wait outside the door.
除了学汉语，他在课外还学钢琴。 Chúle xué Hànyǔ, tā zài kè wài hái xué gāngqín. Besides studying Chinese, he also studies piano outside of class.
窗外有一棵大树。 Chuāng wài yǒu yī kē dà shù. There is a big tree outside the window.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 外面 | outside (the surface/area) |
| 门外 | outside the door |
| 课外 | extracurricular, outside class |
| 国外 | overseas, abroad |
| 除此之外 | beyond this, in addition |
Memory Hook
外 is composed of 夕 (evening) and 卜 (divination): ancient fortune-telling happened outside the walls at dusk, pointing to what is 外.