另外

• Pinyin: lìng wài
• Hanzi breakdown: 另 = 口 (mouth) + 力 (strength), meaning other or another; 外 = 夕 (evening) + 卜 (divination), meaning outside

Meaning

In addition; besides; other. Used to introduce additional information or to indicate something separate.

As a conjunction, 另外 means in addition, besides, or moreover, used to add new information to a conversation. As a pronoun or adjective, it means other or another, referring to something different from what was mentioned. Very common in both spoken and written Chinese.

Examples

1. 我买了两本书，另外还买了一支笔。 I bought two books, and also bought a pen.
2. 这件事另外再说吧。 Let's talk about this some other time.
3. 除了英语，他另外还会说法语。 Besides English, he can also speak French.

Usage Guide

Context: conversation, writing, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 另外，我还想问你一个问题。(In addition, I also want to ask you a question.)
• 你可以另外找一个时间来。(You can find another time to come.)

Don't Say

• 我另外不想去了。(Don't use 另外 to mean on second thought — use 还是 or 算了. 另外 introduces additional items, not changes of mind)

Origin & History

Compound of 另 (other, another) and 外 (outside). Together they mean something outside or beyond what has been mentioned — in addition.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal