外套

• Pinyin: wài tào
• Hanzi breakdown: 外 = 夕(evening) + 卜 (divination); 套 = 大(big) + 长 (long, simplified variant) — a covering layer

Meaning

Overcoat; jacket; coat; outer garment worn over other clothing.

A general term for any outer layer of clothing. More inclusive than 大衣 (dàyī, heavy winter overcoat) and covers jackets, blazers, and lighter coats too. 穿外套 (to wear a coat) and 脱外套 (to take off a coat) are common collocates.

Examples

1. 天气变凉了，出门记得多穿一件外套。 The weather has turned cold — remember to put on an extra coat when you go out.
2. 她把外套挂在门口的衣架上，换上了拖鞋走进客厅。 She hung her coat on the rack by the door, slipped on her indoor slippers, and walked into the living room.
3. 这件外套的颜色很好看，跟你的牛仔裤非常搭。 This coat's colour is lovely — it goes really well with your jeans.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, fashion

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 今天很冷，要不要带一件外套？(It's very cold today — do you want to bring a coat?)
• 她穿着一件深蓝色的外套，看起来很专业。(She wore a dark blue coat and looked very professional.)

Don't Say

• 外套 ≠ 大衣 — 大衣 refers specifically to a heavy, long overcoat (usually for winter); 外套 is broader and includes lighter jackets. Don't use 外套 when 大衣 is clearly meant in context.

Origin & History

Compound of 外 (outside) and 套 (covering layer/set), literally 'the layer worn on the outside.' 套 originally depicted something that enclosed or covered another object.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal