外号

• Pinyin: wài hào
• Hanzi breakdown: 外 = 夕 + 卜; 号 = 口 (mouth) + 丂 (a bending shape, phonetic) — to call out, hence name/designation

Meaning

Nickname; alias. An informal name given to a person by others, usually based on a distinctive trait, habit, or appearance.

Unlike 绰号 (chuòhào), which carries a stronger literary register, 外号 is the everyday spoken word for nickname. It is almost always given by others rather than self-chosen, and can be affectionate, teasing, or mildly derogatory. Common in school, military, and workplace settings. The construction 外号叫... (goes by the nickname of...) is the natural collocation.

Examples

1. 他因为跑步特别快，大家给他起了个'闪电'的外号。 Because he runs so fast, everyone gave him the nickname 'Lightning.
2. 这个外号跟了他二十年，就连老同学见面还是这么叫他。 That nickname has followed him for twenty years — even old classmates still call him that when they meet.
3. 领导平时严肃惯了，背地里员工给他取了个'铁面人'的外号。 The manager is always so stern that the staff quietly gave him the nickname 'Iron Face.

Usage Guide

Context: social, school, workplace, everyday

Tone: light

Do Say

• 他的外号叫'书虫'，因为他走路的时候都在看书。(His nickname is 'bookworm' — he reads even while walking.)
• 当面叫人外号要注意分寸，有些人其实不太喜欢被这么叫。(Mind your manners when using someone's nickname to their face — some people actually dislike it.)

Don't Say

• 把外号和笔名或艺名混淆 (外号 is informal and given by peers; 笔名 is a pen name and 艺名 is a stage name — both are self-chosen and used professionally)

Origin & History

Compound of 外 (outside, beyond) + 号 (name, designation, call sign). Literally 'a name from outside [the formal name system]' — an informal designation that exists alongside the official given name.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal