In 15 Seconds
- Used for physically exiting a country or territory.
- Essential for airport, visa, and travel contexts.
- Different from '出国' as it includes Hong Kong/Macau travel.
Meaning
This phrase refers to the physical act of leaving a country's borders, usually through a formal checkpoint like an airport or harbor.
Key Examples
3 of 6At the airport check-in
请出示您的护照，办理出境手续。
Please show your passport to go through the exit procedures.
Texting a friend before a flight
我已经出境了，登机口见！
I've already cleared customs, see you at the gate!
Discussing vacation plans
今年春节，我们打算去出境游。
This Chinese New Year, we plan to take an outbound trip.
Cultural Background
The term is legally precise in China to account for travel to Special Administrative Regions like Hong Kong. While '出国' means going to another country, '出境' is used for any travel that requires passing through customs and immigration, even if the destination is technically part of the same nation.
The 'Border' nuance
Remember that `境` refers to the border. If you are just leaving your house, never use this! It makes you sound like your house is a sovereign nation.
Don't confuse with 出国
If you go to Hong Kong from Shenzhen, you are `出境` but not `出国`. Using the wrong one in a legal context can be confusing!
In 15 Seconds
- Used for physically exiting a country or territory.
- Essential for airport, visa, and travel contexts.
- Different from '出国' as it includes Hong Kong/Macau travel.
What It Means
出境 is your go-to word for crossing a national border. It specifically means leaving the territory you are currently in. Think of it as the official 'exit' button for a country. It is most commonly used in the context of international travel. If you are standing in line at the airport, you are preparing for 出境.
How To Use It
You will usually see this word on signs or in travel documents. In conversation, you can use it as a verb or a noun. You might say 我要出境 (I am leaving the country). It often pairs with words like 手续 (procedures) or 记录 (record). It is a very clean, functional word. It doesn't have a lot of hidden baggage.
When To Use It
Use it when you are talking about logistics. It is perfect for discussing visas, passports, or flight schedules. Use it when you are at the airport with friends. It is also the correct term for business trips abroad. If you are texting someone that you've just passed security, this is the word. It sounds organized and clear.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use 出境 if you are just leaving a building or a room. For that, use 出去. Also, don't use it for moving to a different city within the same country. That is just 去另一个城市. If you are talking about the broader concept of 'going abroad' for a long time, 出国 is more common. 出境 is more about the physical act of crossing the line.
Cultural Background
In China, the distinction between 出境 (leaving the territory) and 出国 (leaving the country) is important. This is because of regions like Hong Kong and Macau. If you go from Mainland China to Hong Kong, you are 出境 because you cross a border control. However, you aren't technically 出国 because you are still in China. It is a unique linguistic quirk of the 'One Country, Two Systems' policy.
Common Variations
The opposite of 出境 is 入境 (rù jìng), which means to enter a country. Together, they form 出入境 (immigration/border control). You will see this on every airport sign in China. Another common one is 出境游 (chū jìng yóu), which means an outbound tour or traveling abroad for a holiday.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and widely used in both administrative and casual travel contexts. It is specifically used for the physical crossing of a border control point.
The 'Border' nuance
Remember that `境` refers to the border. If you are just leaving your house, never use this! It makes you sound like your house is a sovereign nation.
Don't confuse with 出国
If you go to Hong Kong from Shenzhen, you are `出境` but not `出国`. Using the wrong one in a legal context can be confusing!
Airport Signs
Look for the characters `出入境` (Chū rù jìng) at Chinese airports. It's the equivalent of 'Customs and Immigration' and is a great way to remember the word.
Examples
6请出示您的护照，办理出境手续。
Please show your passport to go through the exit procedures.
Standard phrase used by airport staff.
我已经出境了，登机口见！
I've already cleared customs, see you at the gate!
Using the word to indicate you've passed the border checkpoint.
今年春节，我们打算去出境游。
This Chinese New Year, we plan to take an outbound trip.
Using '出境游' as a noun for international travel.
由于签证问题，他暂时无法出境。
Due to visa issues, he is temporarily unable to leave the country.
Formal explanation of a travel restriction.
你这个月出境了五次，护照都要盖满了！
You've left the country five times this month; your passport is going to be full!
Lighthearted comment on someone's busy travel schedule.
看着他出境的那一刻，我有点想哭。
The moment I saw him cross the border, I felt like crying.
Expressing sadness during a departure.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word for passing through airport customs to leave.
在机场，我们需要先办理 ___ 手续。
`出境` is the specific term for border exit procedures.
Which term describes a holiday outside of the mainland?
很多人喜欢在假期参加 ___ 游。
`出境游` is the standard term for outbound/international tourism.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Leaving'
Just going outside
出去 (chū qù)
Traveling abroad
出国 (chū guó)
Crossing the border
出境 (chū jìng)
When to use 出境
Airport Customs
Passing through the gate
Visa Application
Applying for exit permit
Travel Agency
Booking an overseas tour
Hong Kong Trip
Leaving the mainland
Practice Bank
2 exercises在机场，我们需要先办理 ___ 手续。
`出境` is the specific term for border exit procedures.
很多人喜欢在假期参加 ___ 游。
`出境游` is the standard term for outbound/international tourism.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it applies to any method of leaving. You can 出境 by train, ship, or even walking across a land border.
No, that would be incorrect. For cities, use 离开城市. 出境 is strictly for national or regional borders.
It is neutral to formal. It is used in official documents but is also perfectly normal in daily conversation about travel.
It means 'outbound tourism.' It’s a very common term used by travel agencies like 出境游很受欢迎 (Outbound travel is very popular).
You can say 我要出境了 or 我要出国了. Use 出境 if you're focusing on the airport process.
The opposite is 入境 (rù jìng), which means to enter the country or territory.
Because Hong Kong is a separate customs territory. You have to pass through border control, which is the definition of 出境.
Yes, it can. For example, 出境记录 means 'exit record' or 'travel history'.
Yes, it's very common to text 我出境了 (I've cleared the border) to let someone know you're officially on your way.
离开 (lí kāi) is general 'to leave.' 出境 is specific to borders. Use 出境 for passports and customs.
Related Phrases
入境
To enter a country
出国
To go abroad
海关
Customs
护照
Passport
边境
Border
