Guowai refers to any location situated outside the borders of one's home country.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to countries outside one's own nation.
- Commonly used for travel, work, or study abroad.
- Distinguished by crossing national borders.
常见语境：最常见的语境包括：出国旅游（去国外玩）、跨国工作（在国外出差）、留学教育（去国外读书）以及国际贸易（从国外买东西）。此外，在谈论国际新闻或全球趋势时，也常使用该词。
- 1词汇对比：与“海外”相比，“国外”更侧重于地理上的国界划分，而“海外”通常带有距离感，多指隔着海洋的远方。与“外国”相比，“国外”更强调“在……之外”的状态或位置，而“外国”侧重于指代具体的国家实体。
Examples
我明年打算去国外旅游。
everydayI plan to travel abroad next year.
他目前在国外担任技术顾问。
formalHe is currently working as a technical consultant abroad.
这东西是从国外带回来的。
informalThis item was brought back from abroad.
国外高等教育模式具有多样性。
academicHigher education models abroad are diverse.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
国外留学
study abroad
国外市场
overseas market
国外生活
life abroad
Often Confused With
Refers to a foreign country as a specific entity. '国外' refers to the general state or location outside one's own country.
Often carries a sense of distance or being across the sea. It is more common in contexts like 'overseas Chinese' or 'overseas markets'.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word is neutral and fits both formal and informal registers. It is the most common term for 'abroad' in daily life. Avoid using it as an adjective; it is strictly a noun.
Common Mistakes
Learners often add '里' after '国外', which is grammatically incorrect. Another error is using it as an adjective to modify nouns directly, like '国外朋友', which should instead be '外国朋友'.
Tips
Focus on the location
Use '国外' when describing where you are or where you are going relative to your home country. It functions naturally as a location marker.
Avoid redundant particles
Do not add '里' or '面' after '国外'. The word itself already functions as a complete location phrase.
Cultural perspective
In China, '国外' often implies a contrast between domestic and international experiences, reflecting the growing trend of global mobility.
Word Origin
The word is a straightforward compound of '国' (nation/country) and '外' (outside). It reflects the basic spatial division of the world into domestic and non-domestic territories.
Cultural Context
In modern Chinese society, '国外' is frequently associated with international travel, global education, and imported goods. It represents an accessible but distinct external world.
Memory Tip
Think of '国' (country) + '外' (outside). If you step outside your country's border, you are in '国外'.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“外国”通常指具体的别的国家，而“国外”指一个范围。你可以说“去外国旅游”，也可以说“去国外旅游”，但“国外”更强调离开本国这个动作。
不可以。直接说“在国外”即可，不需要加“里”。
不一定。只要越过了国界，即使是邻国也属于“国外”。
可以说“去国外工作”或“在国外工作”。如果是长期外派，也可以说“外派到国外”。
Test Yourself
我明年打算去___留学。
在表示去往某个地方时，'去国外'是固定搭配。
下列哪项表达是正确的？
选项b用法正确，表示来源地。
国外 / 很多 / 去 / 旅游 / 人
符合主谓宾结构，逻辑通顺。
Score: /3
Summary
Guowai refers to any location situated outside the borders of one's home country.
- Refers to countries outside one's own nation.
- Commonly used for travel, work, or study abroad.
- Distinguished by crossing national borders.
Focus on the location
Use '国外' when describing where you are or where you are going relative to your home country. It functions naturally as a location marker.
Avoid redundant particles
Do not add '里' or '面' after '国外'. The word itself already functions as a complete location phrase.
Cultural perspective
In China, '国外' often implies a contrast between domestic and international experiences, reflecting the growing trend of global mobility.
Examples
4 of 4我明年打算去国外旅游。
I plan to travel abroad next year.
他目前在国外担任技术顾问。
He is currently working as a technical consultant abroad.
这东西是从国外带回来的。
This item was brought back from abroad.
国外高等教育模式具有多样性。
Higher education models abroad are diverse.
