海外

• Reading: かいがい
• Romaji: kaigai
• Kanji breakdown: 海 (kai) — sea, ocean; 外 (gai) — outside, foreign
• Pronunciation: /ka.i.ɡa.i/

Meaning

Overseas; abroad; foreign countries. Refers to places beyond Japan.

A noun literally meaning 'beyond the sea,' reflecting Japan's island geography. Used broadly to mean any foreign country. Often appears as 海外旅行 (overseas travel), 海外出張 (business trip abroad), or 海外生活 (life abroad). Can function as a no-adjective modifying nouns directly.

Examples

1. 来年、海外で働きたいと思っている。 I'm thinking about working overseas next year.
2. 海外旅行に行くためにパスポートを申請した。 I applied for a passport to go on a trip abroad.
3. このブランドは海外でも人気がある。 This brand is popular overseas as well.

Usage Guide

Context: travel, business, news

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 海 (sea, ocean) and 外 (outside). As an island nation, Japan historically viewed all foreign lands as 'beyond the sea,' giving this compound its meaning of 'overseas' or 'abroad.'

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal