国外

• Pinyin: guó wài
• Hanzi breakdown: 国 (country) + 外 (outside) — outside one's country

Meaning

Abroad; overseas; outside the country. Refers to places or things outside one's own country.

Used as a location word to indicate foreign countries in general. The opposite is 国内 (domestic, within the country). Common in phrases like 去国外 (go abroad) and 在国外 (be abroad).

Examples

1. 他想去国外学习。 He wants to study abroad.
2. 姐姐在国外工作。 My older sister works abroad.
3. 国外的东西不一定好。 Things from abroad are not necessarily better.

Usage Guide

Context: travel, everyday, education

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你去过国外吗？(Have you been abroad?)
• 我弟弟在国外上大学。(My younger brother goes to university abroad.)

Don't Say

• 我去了国外的美国。(Redundant — 美国 is already abroad; just say 我去了美国)

Origin & History

Compound of 国 (country) and 外 (outside) — outside one's country.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal