A2 adverb 2 min read

另外

I have one apple;另外, I have a banana.

lingwai
Practice it

Explanation at your level:

You use 另外 to add things. If you have a pen and you want a book too, you say 'I have a pen; 另外, I have a book.' It is like saying 'also'.

When you are talking about two different things, 另外 helps you move to the second thing. It is very common in daily life when you are shopping or making plans.

As an intermediate learner, you will notice 另外 helps connect your paragraphs. It acts as a bridge between ideas, making your speech sound more natural and fluent.

At this level, you can use 另外 to introduce nuanced points. It is often used in business contexts to suggest an alternative option or an additional requirement.

In advanced writing, 另外 serves as a formal transition. It helps in structuring logical arguments by clearly demarcating separate, yet related, pieces of evidence or reasoning.

Mastering 另外 involves understanding its placement for emphasis. You can place it strategically to highlight that a piece of information is an 'add-on' rather than the main focus of the argument.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Used to add information.
  • Functions as an adverb.
  • Very common in daily life.
  • Useful for connecting ideas.

Think of 另外 as your go-to word when you have something extra to say! It is like the English word 'besides' or 'in addition'.

When you are telling a story or making a list, you use 另外 to introduce a new point that is separate from your first one. It is very helpful for keeping your sentences organized and clear.

The word 另外 is composed of two characters: 另 (lìng), meaning 'other' or 'separate', and 外 (wài), meaning 'outside'.

Historically, this combination evolved to describe something that lies outside the current scope or group. It is a classic example of how Chinese characters combine simple concepts to create a more complex, functional word that helps us connect ideas.

You can use 另外 at the beginning of a sentence to connect it to the previous one, or before a verb to indicate doing something 'in addition'.

Commonly, it appears with phrases like 另外还有 (in addition, there is also). It is considered neutral in register, meaning you can use it in a casual chat with friends or in a professional email at work.

While 另外 isn't strictly an idiom, it is part of many set phrases. 另外一方面 (on the other hand) is a very common way to introduce a contrasting or supplementary point.

Another common usage is 另外加, which means 'to add extra'. For example, if you order coffee, you might say '另外加糖' (add extra sugar).

In terms of grammar, 另外 acts as a sentence adverb. It does not change based on tense or pluralization, making it quite easy to use!

The pronunciation is lìng wài. The 'lìng' has a falling tone, and 'wài' also has a falling tone. It sounds smooth when spoken quickly in a sentence, almost like a natural pause between two thoughts.

Fun Fact

It combines two very basic directional characters.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /lɪŋ waɪ/

Sounds like 'ling' (as in ring) + 'why'.

US /lɪŋ waɪ/

Similar to the UK version.

Common Errors

  • Mispronouncing the tones
  • Swallowing the 'w' sound
  • Stressing the wrong syllable

Rhymes With

bing ding sing wing ring

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to read

Writing 2/5

Easy to write

Speaking 2/5

Easy to speak

Listening 2/5

Easy to listen

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

我 有 书

Learn Next

此外 而且 同时

Advanced

鉴于 此外

Grammar to Know

Adverb placement

我另外去。

Sentence connectors

另外...

Adjective usage

另外一个

Examples by Level

1

我有书，另外我有笔。

I have books, in addition I have pens.

Used as a connector.

1

另外一个人来了。

2

另外，我还要去超市。

3

这件衣服很贵，另外颜色也不好看。

4

另外，请帮我拿一下水。

5

我有两个选择，另外还有一个。

6

另外，明天我们要开会。

7

除了这些，另外还有什么？

8

另外，谢谢你的礼物。

1

另外，我们需要考虑成本问题。

2

他很聪明，另外也很努力。

3

除了苹果，另外还有香蕉。

4

另外，请把门关上。

5

我有工作，另外还要上学。

6

另外，这件事情很重要。

7

另外，你可以明天再来。

8

除了这些，另外还有别的事吗？

1

另外，该方案还存在一些缺陷。

2

他不仅会说英语，另外还会说法语。

3

另外，请务必准时参加。

4

除了上述原因，另外还有个人因素。

5

另外，我们还需要更多的数据支持。

6

另外，请注意安全事项。

7

另外，这个项目需要重新评估。

8

除了你，另外还有谁知道？

1

另外，从长远来看，这并不划算。

2

另外，我们需要对此进行深入分析。

3

除了这些，另外还有许多未解之谜。

4

另外，这一发现具有重要意义。

5

另外，请务必审慎对待此建议。

6

另外，该政策的实施效果尚不明确。

7

另外，我们必须考虑各方的利益。

8

除了这些，另外还有其他选择吗？

1

另外，鉴于当前局势，我们需调整策略。

2

另外，此举旨在促进经济增长。

3

除了这些，另外还存在诸多不确定性。

4

另外，该研究为后续工作奠定了基础。

5

另外，请务必确保数据的准确性。

6

另外，这一现象引起了广泛关注。

7

另外，我们应从多角度审视问题。

8

除了这些，另外还有深层次的原因。

Common Collocations

另外还有
另外一个
另外的人
另外加
另外说
另外考虑
另外处理
另外安排
另外选择
另外购买
另外支付

Idioms & Expressions

"另外一方面"

on the other hand

另外一方面，我们也得考虑成本。

formal

""

""

""

""

""

Easily Confused

另外 vs 再

Both imply addition.

再 is for repeating actions.

再见 vs 另外

另外 vs 又

Both mean 'again' or 'also'.

又 is for repeating events.

又来了

另外 vs 此外

Synonym.

此外 is more formal.

此外 vs 另外

另外 vs 另外的

Adjective form.

另外 is adverb, 另外的 is adjective.

另外的人

Sentence Patterns

A1

另外 + Subject + Verb

另外，我也想去。

A2

Subject + 另外 + Verb

我另外买了一个。

A2

另外 + Noun

另外一个苹果。

B1

另外 + 还有 + Noun

另外还有一些书。

B2

另外 + 考虑 + Verb

另外考虑一下吧。

Word Family

Related

另 Root character
外 Root character

How to Use It

frequency

10

Formality Scale

Formal Neutral Casual

Common Mistakes

Using it like 'also' at the end of a sentence. → Put it at the beginning or before the verb.
It is an adverb, not a particle.
Confusing it with '再'.
Using it as a noun.
Misplacing it in complex sentences.
Overusing it in short sentences.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace

Place it at the door of your study room.

💡

Native Habit

Use it to start your second point in an argument.

🌍

Politeness

Use it to add polite requests.

💡

Placement

Always keep it before the verb.

💡

Tone Practice

Focus on the falling tones.

💡

Avoid 'Also'

Don't translate 'also' directly if it doesn't fit.

💡

History

It is one of the first words taught.

💡

Flashcards

Use it in sentences, not alone.

💡

Flow

Use it to improve paragraph flow.

💡

Pause

Pause slightly after saying it.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'ling' (a bell) ringing 'outside' (wai) to signal a new idea.

Visual Association

A door opening to a new room.

Word Web

Addition Extra Besides Also

Challenge

Write 3 sentences using 另外 today.

Word Origin

Chinese

Original meaning: Separate/Outside

Cultural Context

None.

Directly maps to 'In addition' or 'Besides'.

Used in almost every Chinese textbook.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Work

  • 另外安排
  • 另外讨论
  • 另外处理

Shopping

  • 另外加
  • 另外买
  • 另外选

School

  • 另外写
  • 另外读
  • 另外做

Travel

  • 另外订
  • 另外找
  • 另外问

Conversation Starters

"另外，你觉得怎么样？"

"除了这个，另外还有什么？"

"另外，我们要去哪里？"

"另外，你明天有空吗？"

"另外，这真的好吗？"

Journal Prompts

Write about your day using 另外.

List things you want to do, using 另外.

Describe a plan, using 另外.

Reflect on a decision, using 另外.

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

No, it sounds unnatural.

No, '再' is for repeating actions.

Yes, '另外的人' means 'other people'.

It is neutral.

Yes, it is very common.

No.

Yes.

No, it is very intuitive.

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

我有笔，___我有书。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 另外

另外 means in addition.

multiple choice A2

Which means 'in addition'?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 另外

另外 is the correct choice.

true false B1

另外 can be used at the end of a sentence.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

It usually goes at the start or before the verb.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Direct translation match.

sentence order B2

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Standard adverb placement.

Score: /5

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