外语

• Pinyin: wài yǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 外 = outside/foreign; 语 = 讠(speech) + 吾 (I/me, phonetic) — language

Meaning

Foreign language. Refers to any language other than one's native language.

In China, 外语 most commonly refers to English, though it can mean any non-Chinese language. Schools and universities have 外语 departments. Learning at least one 外语 is a requirement in Chinese education from primary school onwards.

Examples

1. 她会说三种外语。 She can speak three foreign languages.
2. 学外语很有意思。 Learning a foreign language is very interesting.
3. 你学过什么外语？ What foreign languages have you studied?

Usage Guide

Context: language, education

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他的外语说得很好。(He speaks foreign languages very well.)
• 我在学校学了两年外语。(I studied foreign languages for two years at school.)

Don't Say

• 中文是我的外语。(Perspective matters — for Chinese people, 中文 is not 外语; 外语 means foreign to the speaker, so this is only correct for non-native speakers)

Origin & History

A compound of 外 (outside/foreign) and 语 (language), literally meaning 'foreign language.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal