外

• Reading: そと
• Romaji: soto
• Kanji breakdown: 外 (soto/hoka/gai/ge) — outside, exterior, foreign
• Pronunciation: /so.to/

Meaning

Outside; exterior; outdoors. The area beyond an enclosure or boundary.

A spatial noun indicating the outside or exterior, contrasting with 中 (naka, inside). Used with に for location (外に = outside). Also appears in many compound words: 外国 (gaikoku, foreign country), 外出 (gaishutsu, going out). Has readings そと, ほか, がい, げ.

Examples

1. 外は寒いからコートを着てください。 It's cold outside, so please wear a coat.
2. 子供たちは外で遊んでいます。 The children are playing outside.
3. 窓の外に雪が降っています。 It's snowing outside the window.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, position, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 外 combines 夕 (evening) and 卜 (divination), suggesting things determined by reading signs outside at dusk. The meaning extended to 'outside' in general.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal