国外
国外 en 30 secondes
- 国外 (guówài) is a common noun meaning 'abroad' or 'outside the country,' essential for discussing travel, study, and international affairs in Mandarin Chinese.
- Grammatically, it functions as a noun of locality, typically requiring prepositions like '在' (at) or '去' (to) to indicate position or movement.
- It is frequently confused with '外国' (foreign country); remember that '国外' is a location, while '外国' is often used as an adjective or entity.
- In cultural contexts, '国外' reflects a global perspective and is a key term in the narrative of personal and national development in China.
The term 国外 (guówài) is a fundamental noun in Mandarin Chinese that translates literally to "outside the country." In English, we most commonly translate this as "abroad" or "overseas." However, from a linguistic perspective, 国外 functions differently than the English adverb "abroad." It is a noun of locality (方位词), meaning it describes a relative position or space. The character 国 (guó) represents a nation or state, while 外 (wài) signifies the exterior or outside. Together, they create a broad category encompassing every landmass and jurisdiction that exists beyond the borders of one's own nation.
- Linguistic Classification
- Classified as a noun of locality, it often pairs with prepositions like '在' (zài - at/in) or '到' (dào - to) to establish spatial relationships.
- Semantic Scope
- It is an all-encompassing term. Whether you are referring to a neighboring country or a continent across the ocean, if it is outside your national boundary, it is '国外'.
- Relativity
- The meaning is entirely dependent on the speaker's location. For a Chinese citizen in Beijing, '国外' is the US; for an American in New York speaking Chinese, '国外' technically refers to countries outside the US, though many heritage speakers use it specifically to mean 'outside of China'.
“我明年打算去国外留学。”
— (Wǒ míngnián dǎsuàn qù guówài liúxué.) I plan to go abroad to study next year.
Understanding 国外 requires recognizing its role in the Chinese worldview. In historical contexts, the distinction between the 'Middle Kingdom' (中国) and the 'Outside Lands' (国外) was a defining feature of political and cultural identity. Today, the term is less about isolation and more about global connectivity. It appears in contexts ranging from international trade (国外市场 - foreign markets) to personal aspirations (到国外生活 - living abroad). It is distinct from 外国 (wàiguó), which refers to a specific foreign country as an entity, whereas 国外 refers to the general state or location of being outside one's own country.
“他在国外工作了很多年。”
(Tā zài guówài gōngzuòle hěnduō nián.) He has worked abroad for many years.
“这种水果是从国外进口的。”
(Zhè zhǒng shuǐguǒ shì cóng guówài jìnkǒu de.) This kind of fruit is imported from abroad.
“你想去哪个国外城市？”
(Nǐ xiǎng qù nǎge guówài chéngshì?) Which foreign city do you want to go to?
“他在国外有很多朋友。”
(Tā zài guówài yǒu hěnduō péngyǒu.) He has many friends abroad.
- Common Collocation: 去国外
- To go abroad. Used for travel, relocation, or business trips.
- Common Collocation: 在国外
- To be abroad. Used to describe current residence or temporary stay.
- Common Collocation: 国外的人
- People abroad. Note: This is different from '外国人' (foreigners).
Using 国外 (guówài) correctly involves understanding its placement in a sentence, which typically follows the rules for nouns of place. Because Chinese grammar prioritizes the 'where' before the 'action' in many instances, 国外 often appears before the verb when describing an ongoing state, or after directional verbs.
1. As a Destination (After Directional Verbs)
When you are moving from your home country to another, you use verbs like 去 (qù - go), 到 (dào - arrive/to), or 出国 (chūguó - go out of the country). In these cases, 国外 follows the verb to indicate the target location.
- 去国外旅游 (qù guówài lǚyóu) - To go abroad for tourism.
- 搬到国外 (bān dào guówài) - To move abroad.
2. As a Location (The '在' Structure)
To describe an action happening while abroad, the structure 在 + 国外 + Verb is standard. This follows the general Chinese rule that location precedes the action.
- 他在国外读书。 (Tā zài guówài dúshū.) - He is studying abroad.
- 我不想在国外工作。 (Wǒ bùxiǎng zài guówài gōngzuò.) - I don't want to work abroad.
3. As a Modifier (Using '的')
When 国外 modifies another noun to indicate its origin or location, the possessive particle 的 (de) is usually required. This transforms "abroad" into an adjectival phrase like "foreign" or "from overseas."
- 国外的生活 (guówài de shēnghuó) - Life abroad.
- 国外的公司 (guówài de gōngsī) - Overseas companies.
- 国外的技术 (guówài de jìshù) - Foreign technology.
4. Contrast with '外国' (Wàiguó)
This is the most common point of confusion. 外国 refers to the entity of a foreign nation. 国外 refers to the location outside one's own borders. You would say 外国车 (foreign car) because the car belongs to the category of foreign things, but you would say 在国外买车 (buy a car abroad) because you are performing the action in that location.
You will encounter 国外 (guówài) in a vast array of social, professional, and academic settings. Its frequency in daily conversation reflects the high value placed on international experience in many Chinese-speaking communities.
1. Academic and Educational Settings
In schools and universities, 'going abroad' is a major topic. You'll hear students discussing 国外大学 (overseas universities) or 国外奖学金 (scholarships abroad). The phrase 出国留学 (chūguó liúxué - to study abroad) is often followed by discussions about 国外环境 (the environment abroad).
2. Business and Economics
In the corporate world, 国外 is used to discuss market expansion and international relations. News reports frequently mention 国外投资 (foreign investment), 国外市场 (overseas markets), and 国外需求 (foreign demand). If a company is doing well, they might say they are 拓展国外业务 (expanding overseas business).
3. Travel and Tourism
At travel agencies or airports, you'll see signs for 国外旅游 (overseas travel). Friends might ask each other, “你最近去国外了吗？” (Have you been abroad recently?). It’s the standard way to refer to any vacation that crosses a national border.
4. Social Media and Pop Culture
Vloggers often title their videos "我在国外的一天" (My day abroad). On platforms like Xiaohongshu or Weibo, users tag posts with #国外生活 (Life Abroad) to share photos of their experiences in different countries. It carries a connotation of exploration and sometimes, prestige.
5. News and Media
News anchors use 国外 to summarize international events. For example, “国外媒体报道...” (Foreign media reports...) or “国外形势” (The situation abroad). It serves as a convenient shorthand for everything happening outside the domestic sphere.
Even though 国外 (guówài) is an A2 level word, its usage can be tricky due to interference from English grammar and confusion with similar-looking Chinese words.
Mistake 1: Using '国外' as an Adjective for People
Learners often say 国外人 (guówài rén) to mean "foreigner." This is incorrect. The correct term is 外国人 (wàiguó rén). 国外 refers to the place, while 外国 refers to the attribute of being foreign.
Mistake 2: Omitting the Preposition '在'
In English, you can say "I live abroad." In Chinese, you cannot say 我住国外. You must include the preposition: 我住在国外 (Wǒ zhù zài guówài). Without '在', the sentence feels incomplete and grammatically broken.
Mistake 3: Confusing '国外' with '海外' (hǎiwài)
While often interchangeable, 海外 literally means "overseas" (across the sea). If you are in China and talking about going to Mongolia or Russia (which share a land border), 国外 is more accurate than 海外. However, for countries like the US or UK, both work, but 海外 sounds slightly more formal or literary.
Mistake 4: Misplacing '国外' in the Sentence
English speakers often put the location at the end of the sentence: "I studied Chinese abroad." In Chinese, the location must come before the verb: 我在国外学中文 (Wǒ zài guówài xué Zhōngwén). Putting 国外 at the end is a classic 'Chinglish' error.
Mistake 5: Using '国外' for Hong Kong/Macau
When speaking with people from Mainland China, referring to Hong Kong or Macau as 国外 can be politically sensitive or simply incorrect in their view. The term 境外 (jìngwài - outside the border) is the safer, more accurate term for these regions.
To master 国外 (guówài), you must understand how it relates to its synonyms and near-synonyms. Each has a specific nuance that dictates when it should be used.
- 外国 (wàiguó) - Foreign Country
- Focuses on the country as an entity or an adjective. Use this for 'foreign languages' (外语), 'foreigners' (外国人), or 'foreign films' (外国电影).
- 海外 (hǎiwài) - Overseas
- Literally 'beyond the seas'. It is often used in business (海外市场) or to refer to the Chinese diaspora (海外华人). It carries a slightly more formal or grand tone than '国外'.
- 境外 (jìngwài) - Outside the Border
- A technical and legal term. It is used to refer to any place outside the administrative control of the mainland, including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, as well as foreign countries.
- 异国 (yìguó) - Exotic/Strange Land
- A literary and poetic term. It emphasizes the 'otherness' or the exotic nature of a foreign place. Often used in the phrase '异国他乡' (a foreign land far from home).
- 出国 (chūguó) - To Go Abroad
- This is a verb-object construction. It describes the action of leaving the country. You '出国', and then you are '在国外'.
In summary, use 国外 for general location, 外国 for attributes/entities, 海外 for formal/maritime contexts, and 出国 for the action of traveling.
How Formal Is It?
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Niveau de difficulté
Grammaire à connaître
Exemples par niveau
我想去国外。
I want to go abroad.
Subject + 想 + 去 + 国外
你去过国外吗？
Have you been abroad?
Use of '过' for past experience.
国外很大。
Abroad is very big.
Simple Subject-Adjective sentence.
他在国外。
He is abroad.
Subject + 在 + 国外
我不去国外。
I am not going abroad.
Negation with '不'.
国外好吗？
Is it good abroad?
Question with '吗'.
我爸爸在国外。
My dad is abroad.
Possessive '我' (my).
去国外要钱。
Going abroad requires money.
Verb phrase as subject.
他在国外学汉语。
He studies Chinese abroad.
在 + 国外 + Verb
国外的菜好吃吗？
Is the food abroad delicious?
国外的 + Noun
我明年去国外旅游。
I will go abroad for travel next year.
Time expression + Verb phrase.
他在国外住了很久。
He lived abroad for a long time.
Verb + 了 + Duration.
这是国外的书。
This is a book from abroad.
Possessive '的'.
我想在国外买东西。
I want to buy things abroad.
想 + 在 + 国外 + Verb.
国外有很多漂亮的地方。
There are many beautiful places abroad.
国外 + 有 + Noun.
他从国外回来了。
He has returned from abroad.
从 + 国外 + Verb + 来了.
国外的生活和国内很不一样。
Life abroad is very different from life at home.
A 和 B 不一样.
他打算去国外深造。
He plans to go abroad for further studies.
打算 + 去国外 + Verb.
很多国外公司来中国投资。
Many foreign companies come to China to invest.
国外 + Noun as Subject.
在国外，他学会了照顾自己。
Abroad, he learned to take care of himself.
Location phrase at the beginning of the sentence.
你适应国外的生活了吗？
Have you adapted to life abroad?
适应 + Noun.
国外有很多先进的技术。
There are many advanced technologies abroad.
Existential sentence with '有'.
他经常去国外出差。
He often goes abroad on business trips.
经常 + Verb phrase.
国外的天气怎么样？
How is the weather abroad?
怎么样 for asking state/quality.
国外媒体对此事进行了广泛报道。
Foreign media reported extensively on this matter.
对...进行...报道.
由于在国外生活多年，他的英语很流利。
Due to living abroad for many years, his English is fluent.
由于... (Due to...).
我们要学习国外的先进管理经验。
We need to learn advanced management experience from abroad.
学习 + 国外的 + Noun.
他在国外遇到了很多挑战。
He encountered many challenges abroad.
遇到 + 挑战.
国外的市场竞争非常激烈。
Market competition abroad is very intense.
形容词 + 非常 + 激烈.
他把在国外的见闻写成了一本书。
He wrote his experiences abroad into a book.
把 structure.
国外的一些政策与国内不同。
Some policies abroad are different from those at home.
与...不同.
在国外工作可以开阔眼界。
Working abroad can broaden one's horizons.
开阔眼界 (idiom).
国外资本的涌入对当地经济产生了深远影响。
The influx of foreign capital has had a profound impact on the local economy.
对...产生...影响.
他深受国外哲学思想的影响。
He was deeply influenced by foreign philosophical thoughts.
深受...的影响.
在国外定居多年后，他依然保留着家乡的习惯。
After settling abroad for many years, he still retains the habits of his hometown.
定居 (settle down).
国外的一些先进理念值得我们借鉴。
Some advanced concepts from abroad are worth learning from.
值得...借鉴.
他在国外发表了多篇学术论文。
He published several academic papers abroad.
发表 + 论文.
国外政局的变动引起了广泛关注。
Changes in the political situation abroad have attracted widespread attention.
引起...关注.
他在国外建立了一套完整的销售网络。
He established a complete sales network abroad.
建立 + 网络.
国外的多元文化让他变得更加包容。
The multiculturalism abroad made him more inclusive.
多元文化 (multiculturalism).
国外敌对势力的渗透是一个不容忽视的问题。
The infiltration of hostile foreign forces is a problem that cannot be ignored.
不容忽视 (cannot be ignored).
他在国外漂泊半生，晚年才得以叶落归根。
He drifted abroad for half his life and only in his later years was he able to return to his roots.
叶落归根 (idiom).
国外某些势力的干涉严重损害了地区稳定。
The interference of certain foreign forces has seriously damaged regional stability.
损害 + 稳定.
他试图在国外寻找一种全新的生活范式。
He tried to find a brand new life paradigm abroad.
生活范式 (life paradigm).
国外市场的波动直接影响了公司的利润。
Fluctuations in foreign markets directly affected the company's profits.
波动 (fluctuation).
他在国外深耕多年，终于在学术界占有一席之地。
He worked deeply abroad for many years and finally gained a place in the academic world.
占有一席之地 (idiom).
国外法律体系的差异给跨国并购带来了重重困难。
Differences in foreign legal systems have brought numerous difficulties to cross-border mergers and acquisitions.
跨国并购 (M&A).
他在国外领略了不同文明的独特魅力。
He experienced the unique charm of different civilizations abroad.
领略 (to experience/appreciate).
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
出国 (go abroad)
回国 (return to one's country)
定居国外 (settle abroad)
国外深造 (further studies abroad)
国外背景 (overseas background)
国外经验 (overseas experience)
国外机构 (foreign institutions)
国外贸易 (foreign trade)
国外友人 (foreign friends)
国外考察 (overseas inspection)
Souvent confondu avec
Expressions idiomatiques
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Facile à confondre
Structures de phrases
Famille de mots
Apparenté
Comment l'utiliser
国外 is more colloquial than 海外.
Includes all countries outside the speaker's own.
Location before action.
- Saying '国外人' instead of '外国人'.
- Saying '我住国外' instead of '我在国外住' or '我住在国外'.
- Using '国外' to refer to Hong Kong in a formal mainland context.
- Putting '国外' at the end of the sentence (e.g., '我学习在国外').
- Confusing '国外' with '外国' when modifying a noun like 'language' (use '外语').
Astuces
Location First
Remember to put '在国外' before the verb. In Chinese, we say 'I at abroad study,' not 'I study abroad.' This is the most important rule for using '国外' correctly. Practice saying '我在国外工作' several times to get used to the word order.
Don't say '国外人'
Always use '外国人' for foreigners. '国外' is a place, not an adjective for people. This is a common A2 level mistake. If you say '国外人,' people will understand you, but it sounds very 'foreign.' Stick to '外国人' for people.
Relative Meaning
The meaning of '国外' changes depending on where you are. If you are in the US, '国外' means outside the US. However, many Chinese speakers use it to mean 'outside of China' regardless of where they are. Be aware of this cultural habit when talking to native speakers.
Use of '的'
When '国外' describes a noun, you almost always need '的.' For example, '国外的生活' (life abroad). Without '的,' the phrase often feels broken. It acts as a bridge between the location and the thing you are describing.
Tone Practice
Focus on the fourth tone of '外' (wài). It should be a sharp, falling sound. The second tone of '国' (guó) should rise like you are asking a question. Getting these tones right will make your speech sound much more professional.
Listen for '出国'
You will often hear '出国' (chūguó) instead of '去国外.' '出国' is a verb meaning 'to go out of the country.' It is slightly more common when talking about the action of leaving. '去国外' is more about the destination.
Sensitive Regions
Be careful using '国外' for Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan. Use '境外' (jìngwài) instead to be safe. This shows you understand the political and administrative nuances of the Chinese-speaking world. It's a small detail that makes a big difference.
Character Breakdown
Break the word down: 国 (country) + 外 (outside). It’s a very logical word. If you know these two characters, you will never forget the meaning of '国外.' It’s one of the best examples of how Chinese builds complex meanings from simple parts.
Pair with '国内'
Try to use '国外' and '国内' in the same sentence to practice comparison. For example, '国内很热，国外很冷.' This helps you master both words at once and improves your ability to describe different situations. Comparison is a great way to learn.
HSK Prep
This word is common in HSK 2 and 3 exams. Expect to see it in reading passages about travel or studying. Make sure you can recognize both the characters and the pinyin. It’s a high-frequency word that will definitely appear in your studies.
Mémorise-le
Origine du mot
Contexte culturel
The term '海外华人' refers to ethnic Chinese living '国外'.
Studying abroad is often called 'gilding' (镀金).
Avoid using '国外' for Taiwan in official mainland contexts.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Amorces de conversation
"你想去国外旅游吗？"
"你觉得国外的生活怎么样？"
"你有朋友在国外吗？"
"你想去哪个国外城市留学？"
"你喜欢国外的电影吗？"
Sujets d'écriture
写一写你最想去的国外地方。
如果你在国外生活，你会想念家乡的什么？
比较一下国外和国内的不同。
你认为去国外留学重要吗？为什么？
描述一次你（或你朋友）在国外的经历。
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, you should say '外国人'. '国外' refers to the location, while '外国' refers to the attribute of being foreign. Using '国外人' sounds unnatural to native speakers. Always use '外国人' for people from other countries. This is a very common mistake for beginners.
Mostly, yes. However, in English 'abroad' is often an adverb ('I live abroad'), while in Chinese '国外' is a noun ('我在国外'). This means you usually need a preposition like '在' in Chinese. You cannot just say '我住国外'. Understanding this grammatical difference is key to fluency.
Use '海外' (hǎiwài) when you want to sound more formal or specifically refer to places across an ocean. It's common in business ('海外市场') or when talking about Chinese people living abroad ('海外华人'). For general daily talk about going to another country, '国外' is perfectly fine and more common. '海外' has a slightly more literary feel.
In mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau are usually referred to as '境外' (jìngwài) rather than '国外' because they are part of China but have different administrative systems. Using '国外' for Hong Kong can be seen as politically incorrect or technically wrong. '境外' is the most accurate term for these regions. It covers both foreign countries and special administrative regions.
Yes, that is a very common and correct phrase. You can also simply say '出国留学'. Both mean 'to study abroad'. '去国外留学' emphasizes the destination, while '出国留学' emphasizes the act of leaving the country. Both are used frequently in academic and social contexts.
You use '从国外' (cóng guówài). For example, '他从国外回来了' (He came back from abroad). If you are describing an object, use '国外的' or '从国外来的'. For example, '这是从国外来的礼物' (This is a gift from abroad). The '从...来' structure is very useful here.
It is a neutral word. It can be used in casual conversation, news reports, and formal documents. It is neither overly slangy nor overly academic. It is one of those 'workhorse' words in Chinese that fits almost any situation. You don't need to worry about the register too much.
The opposite is '国内' (guónèi), which means 'domestic' or 'inside the country'. You will often see these two words used together in comparisons. For example, '国内外的形势' (the situation at home and abroad). It's a very common pairing in news and business.
Yes, it can. For example, '国外也很漂亮' (Abroad is also very beautiful) or '国外的情况不一样' (The situation abroad is different). In these cases, it functions as the noun that the sentence is about. It's a very flexible word in terms of sentence position.
Yes, it is exactly the same character. '外' means 'outside'. So '国外' is 'country-outside' and '外面' is 'outside-side/surface'. Learning the character '外' will help you understand many other words related to the exterior or foreign things.
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Summary
Mastering '国外' is crucial for A2 learners as it unlocks the ability to talk about international experiences. Always remember to use it with '在' or '去' and avoid using it to describe people (use '外国人' instead).
- 国外 (guówài) is a common noun meaning 'abroad' or 'outside the country,' essential for discussing travel, study, and international affairs in Mandarin Chinese.
- Grammatically, it functions as a noun of locality, typically requiring prepositions like '在' (at) or '去' (to) to indicate position or movement.
- It is frequently confused with '外国' (foreign country); remember that '国外' is a location, while '外国' is often used as an adjective or entity.
- In cultural contexts, '国外' reflects a global perspective and is a key term in the narrative of personal and national development in China.
Location First
Remember to put '在国外' before the verb. In Chinese, we say 'I at abroad study,' not 'I study abroad.' This is the most important rule for using '国外' correctly. Practice saying '我在国外工作' several times to get used to the word order.
Don't say '国外人'
Always use '外国人' for foreigners. '国外' is a place, not an adjective for people. This is a common A2 level mistake. If you say '国外人,' people will understand you, but it sounds very 'foreign.' Stick to '外国人' for people.
Relative Meaning
The meaning of '国外' changes depending on where you are. If you are in the US, '国外' means outside the US. However, many Chinese speakers use it to mean 'outside of China' regardless of where they are. Be aware of this cultural habit when talking to native speakers.
Use of '的'
When '国外' describes a noun, you almost always need '的.' For example, '国外的生活' (life abroad). Without '的,' the phrase often feels broken. It acts as a bridge between the location and the thing you are describing.
