出访

• Pinyin: chū fǎng
• Hanzi breakdown: 出 = 凵 (container) + 屮 (sprout), to go out; 访 = 讠(speech) + 方 (direction), to visit

Meaning

To visit (another country); to make an official visit abroad. Diplomatic or official overseas travel.

A formal term primarily used for official visits by government leaders, diplomats, or delegations to foreign countries. More formal and diplomatic than 访问 (to visit). Common in news about international relations.

Examples

1. 总理下周将出访欧洲三国。 The prime minister will visit three European countries next week.
2. 这是他就任总统以来的首次出访。 This is his first foreign visit since taking office as president.
3. 代表团出访期间签署了多项合作协议。 During the delegation's visit, several cooperation agreements were signed.

Usage Guide

Context: diplomacy, news, politics

Tone: official

Do Say

• 外交部长将于明天出访日本。(The foreign minister will visit Japan tomorrow.)
• 这是一次重要的出访活动。(This is an important official visit.)

Don't Say

• 私人旅游不用'出访'，这是外交用语 (Don't use 出访 for personal travel — it's a diplomatic term reserved for official visits)

Origin & History

Combines 出 (to go out) with 访 (to visit), specifically meaning to go out to visit (typically abroad).

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal