This page in your language
فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
B2 verb 10 min read

外出

wai chu
Examples 外出 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 外出 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you can think of '外出' (wàichū) as a slightly more 'grown-up' way to say 'go out.' While you mostly learn '出去' (chūqù) first, you might see '外出' on signs in China. It simply means leaving the place where you are. For example, 'I go out to eat' can be '我外出吃饭.' You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet; just recognize that '外' means 'outside' and '出' means 'to go out.' If you see a sign that says '经理外出,' it just means the manager is not in the office right now. It is a useful word to recognize when you are traveling in a Chinese-speaking country and see notices on doors or in elevators.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the A2 level, you should start using '外出' (wàichū) in simple sentences about your daily routine or work. You can use it to explain why someone is absent. Instead of always saying '他不在' (He is not here), you can say '他外出办事了' (He went out to do some things). This makes your Chinese sound a bit more polished. You will also notice that '外出' is often followed by another activity, like '外出旅游' (go out to travel) or '外出购物' (go out shopping). Remember that '外出' is a bit more formal than '出门' (chūmén), which literally means leaving the door of your house. Use '外出' when you want to be clear that you are leaving for a specific reason.
Sign up free to read full explanation
By B1, you should understand the difference in register between '外出' and its synonyms. You'll encounter '外出' frequently in news reports and formal announcements. For instance, 'During the holiday, many people go out' is often written as '假期期间，很多人外出.' You should also be able to use it with duration and frequency, such as '他经常外出' (He often goes out) or '我很少在晚上外出' (I rarely go out at night). At this level, you might also see it used as a noun-like phrase in '外出期间' (during the time one is out). It's important to start using '外出' in your writing, especially in emails or formal requests, to show that you can handle professional Chinese vocabulary.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the B2 level, '外出' is a key part of your vocabulary for discussing social issues and professional logistics. You should be familiar with phrases like '外出打工' (going out to find work), which is a significant topic in Chinese sociology regarding migrant workers. You should also be able to use '外出' in more complex grammatical structures, such as '不便外出' (it is inconvenient to go out) or '因公外出' (to go out on official business). At this level, you understand that '外出' implies a certain purpose and duration that '出去' does not. You can use it to describe trends, like '随着经济发展，外出旅游的人越来越多' (With economic development, more and more people are going out to travel).
For C1 learners, '外出' is a versatile tool for precise expression. You should be able to use it in academic or legal contexts, such as discussing '外出人员管理' (management of personnel going out) or '外出许可' (permission to go out). You will notice its use in literature to describe a character's transition from the private sphere to the public world. You should also be aware of its collocations with more advanced terms, like '外出考察' (going out for an inspection/study tour) or '外出请示' (requesting instructions before going out). At this level, your use of '外出' should feel natural and appropriately placed within a formal or professional discourse, distinguishing it clearly from the more colloquial '出去' or '出门'.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C2 level, you have a complete grasp of '外出' and its historical and social nuances. You can appreciate how the term functions in classical-style modern prose or high-level political documents. You understand the subtle differences between '外出,' '外访,' '外巡,' and other specific terms for 'going out' in various professional hierarchies. You can use '外出' to discuss complex socio-economic phenomena, such as the impact of '外出务工' on rural family structures. Your use of the word is not just about movement, but about the social implications of being 'out' in the world. You can also use it in creative writing to evoke a sense of departure, journey, or the boundary between the self and society.
Sign up free to read full explanation
Examples

外出 in 30 Seconds

  • 外出 (wàichū) is a formal verb meaning 'to go out,' typically from home or work for a specific purpose or duration.
  • It is more professional than '出去' (chūqù) and is widely used in office environments, news, and official public safety announcements.
  • Commonly used in phrases like '外出办事' (go out for errands) or '外出旅游' (go out for travel), highlighting its purposeful nature.
  • In a social context, it often refers to migrant workers leaving rural areas to seek employment in cities (外出务工).

The Chinese verb 外出 (wàichū) is a versatile and essential term for any learner reaching the B2 level. At its core, it means 'to go out' or 'to leave a place' (usually one's home or office) for a specific purpose. While English speakers might use 'go out' for everything from taking out the trash to going on a date, wàichū carries a slightly more formal and purposeful weight in Mandarin. It is frequently used in professional contexts, official announcements, or when describing an absence that involves some distance or duration.

Core Concept
The term is composed of two characters: 外 (wài) meaning 'outside' or 'external,' and 出 (chū) meaning 'to go out' or 'to exit.' Together, they signify the act of moving from an interior, private, or familiar space into the public or external world.

In daily life, you will encounter wàichū when someone is explaining why they are not at their desk or why a family member isn't home. It implies that the person is 'out and about.' Unlike the more colloquial chūqù (出去), which is a simple directional verb, wàichū often suggests an activity like running errands, attending a meeting, or even traveling. For instance, in a corporate setting, a sign might say '经理外出' (The manager is out), which sounds much more professional than saying the manager 'went out' (chūqùle).

他因为公事外出了，可能下午才会回来。(He has gone out on business and might not be back until this afternoon.)

Culturally, the term reflects a boundary between the 'inner' (内 - nèi) and 'outer' (外 - wài). In traditional Chinese thought, the distinction between home/family and the external society is significant. Using wàichū acknowledges that the individual has crossed this threshold. It is also used in the context of '外出打工' (wàichū dǎgōng), referring to migrant workers leaving their rural hometowns to work in big cities—a massive social phenomenon in modern China. In this context, the 'going out' is not just for a few hours, but for months or years, highlighting the word's ability to scale in meaning based on the situation.

Social Nuance
When a parent tells a child '不要随便外出' (Don't go out casually), it carries a sense of caution regarding the safety of the 'outside' world compared to the safety of the home.

春节期间，很多人选择外出旅游。(During the Spring Festival, many people choose to go out and travel.)

Furthermore, wàichū can function as a noun in certain structures, such as '外出期间' (during the period of being out). This flexibility allows it to be used in legal documents, safety guidelines, and logistical planning. For example, '外出登记' (registration for going out) is a common requirement in many Chinese residential complexes or dormitories. This emphasizes that wàichū is about the transition and the state of being away from one's base. Understanding this word helps learners navigate formal interactions and understand the logistical flow of Chinese society.

Using 外出 (wàichū) correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility as a verb that often takes a purpose or a destination, though it can also stand alone. Unlike 'go out' in English, which often requires a preposition like 'to' or 'for,' wàichū is frequently followed directly by another verb or a noun phrase describing the activity. This is a classic example of a serial verb construction in Chinese.

Common Pattern 1: 外出 + Purpose
This is the most frequent usage. You state that you are going out and then immediately say what you are doing. For example: 外出办事 (go out to handle affairs/errands), 外出就餐 (go out to eat), 外出访问 (go out for a visit/interview).

他们一家人今天外出野餐了。(Their family went out for a picnic today.)

Another important grammatical point is the use of aspect markers like le (了) or zài (在). If someone is currently out, you say '他在外出' (He is currently out) or '他出去了' (He has gone out). However, wàichū is often used to describe a general habit or a planned action. For example, '我不喜欢在周末外出' (I don't like going out on weekends). Here, it functions as a general activity.

Common Pattern 2: Time/Duration + 外出
When combined with time expressions, wàichū describes the timing of the departure. Example: 深夜外出 (going out late at night), 长期外出 (being away for a long time).

由于天气恶劣，请尽量减少外出。(Due to bad weather, please try to reduce going out.)

In formal writing, wàichū is often paired with '人员' (rén yuán - personnel) or '申请' (shēn qǐng - application). For example, '外出人员登记表' (Registration form for personnel going out). This shows how the verb can become part of a compound noun phrase in administrative contexts. When using it in the negative, '不便外出' (bù biàn wàichū) is a polite way to say someone is unable to go out, perhaps due to illness or being busy. It is much more refined than '不能出去'.

他最近身体不适，不宜外出。(He hasn't been feeling well recently and shouldn't go out.)

To truly master 外出 (wàichū), you need to recognize the specific environments where it naturally occurs. While '出去' (chūqù) dominates casual speech, wàichū is the king of the professional, public, and formal spheres. If you are in China, you will hear this word in public service announcements, see it in office memos, and read it in news reports.

In the Office
When a colleague is not at their desk, the receptionist or a teammate might say: '王经理外出开会了' (Manager Wang has gone out for a meeting). It sounds professional and implies the absence is legitimate and work-related.

如果您需要外出，请务必在系统里报备。(If you need to go out, please make sure to report it in the system.)

In the context of public safety and health, wàichū was everywhere during the COVID-19 pandemic. Government notices would frequently use phrases like '减少不必要的外出' (reduce unnecessary outings). Here, the word covers any reason for leaving one's home, from grocery shopping to visiting friends. It is the standard term for 'leaving the house' in a health or safety directive. Similarly, during extreme weather like typhoons or heavy snow, news anchors will warn citizens: '请市民朋友们尽量避免外出' (Citizens, please try to avoid going out).

In Literature and Media
Novels and movies use wàichū to set a scene of departure. It feels more descriptive and narrative than '走了' (gone). It suggests a journey or a transition into the unknown world outside.

他在外出期间结识了许多有趣的朋友。(During his time away, he met many interesting friends.)

You will also see this word on signs in hotels or apartment buildings. '外出请关窗' (Please close the windows when going out) or '外出请断电' (Please turn off the power when going out). These are standard instructions for residents and guests. In these cases, wàichū specifically refers to the act of leaving the room or building unoccupied. Understanding this helps you follow local rules and etiquette when living or traveling in Chinese-speaking areas.

Even for intermediate learners, 外出 (wàichū) can be tricky because of its overlap with other 'going out' verbs. The most common mistake is using it in highly informal situations where it sounds overly stiff, or confusing it with verbs that imply a specific destination.

Mistake 1: Over-formality in Casual Speech
If you are with a close friend and want to say 'Let's go out for a walk,' saying '我们外出走走吧' is grammatically correct but feels a bit like you're reading from a textbook. In this case, '我们出去走走吧' is much more natural.

Wrong: 我现在要外出买个冰淇淋。(Too formal for a 2-minute errand).
Right: 我现在要出去买个冰淇淋。

Another error is trying to use wàichū as a transitive verb followed by a location. In English, we say 'I'm going out to the store.' In Chinese, you cannot say '我外出商店.' You must say '我外出办事' (I'm going out to do things) or '我去商店' (I'm going to the store). Wàichū is about the act of leaving, not the target location. If you want to include the location, you usually need a multi-verb sentence or a different verb entirely.

Mistake 2: Ignoring the 'State' vs. 'Action'
Learners often forget that wàichū can describe a state. '他外出中' (He is currently out) is a common way to see it written. Using '他正在出去' (He is currently in the process of exiting the door) has a very different, more literal meaning.

Wrong: 他外出了图书馆。(Incorrect object placement).
Right: 他外出去图书馆了。(He went out to the library).

Lastly, don't confuse wàichū with chūguó (出国 - go abroad). While going abroad is a form of 'going out,' wàichū is generally used for more local or domestic departures unless specified otherwise. If someone says '我明天要外出,' don't assume they are leaving the country!

Understanding the synonyms of 外出 (wàichū) helps you choose the right 'flavor' for your sentence. Chinese is rich in movement verbs, each with its own register and nuance.

1. 出去 (chūqù)
The most common and casual alternative. It literally means 'exit-go.' Use this with friends, family, and for small, immediate actions. Example: 我出去一下 (I'm stepping out for a second).
2. 出门 (chūmén)
Literally 'exit the door.' It focuses on the moment of leaving the house. It's very common in daily life. Example: 他还没出门 (He hasn't left the house yet).
3. 出差 (chūchāi)
Specifically for business trips. Use this when the 'going out' involves work travel to another location. Example: 我下周要出差 (I'm going on a business trip next week).

Comparison:
- 外出 (Formal, general purpose)
- 出去 (Casual, directional)
- 出门 (Daily, leaving home)

For more literary or specific contexts, you might see 离家 (líjiā - leave home) or 远行 (yuǎnxíng - travel far). Líjiā often carries an emotional weight, like a teenager running away or a student leaving for college. Yuǎnxíng sounds poetic and suggests a grand journey. In contrast, wàichū remains the most neutral and functional term for professional and public use.

4. 离岗 (lígǎng)
Used specifically in workplaces to mean 'leaving one's post.' This is even more formal than wàichū and is usually found in employee handbooks.

By choosing between these words, you signal your level of Chinese and your understanding of social context. Wàichū is your 'safe' middle-ground word for any situation that isn't strictly intimate or strictly poetic.

Fun Fact

In ancient times, '外出' was often associated with government officials traveling to distant provinces. Today, it's used by everyone from office workers to delivery drivers.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /waɪ tʃuː/
US /waɪ tʃuː/
The emphasis is balanced between both syllables, but the falling 4th tone on 'wài' feels more forceful.
Rhymes With
迈出 (màichū) 卖出 (màichū) 晒出 (shàichū) 排出 (páichū) 带出 (dàichū) 改出 (gǎichū) 拍出 (pāichū) 摘出 (zhāichū)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'chū' with a falling tone like 'wài'. It should be high and flat.
  • Confusing 'wài' with 'wǎi' (3rd tone).
  • Failing to aspirate the 'ch' in 'chū'.
  • Pronouncing 'wài' like 'way' instead of 'why' (though 'wai' is closer to 'why' but with a distinct 'i' sound).
  • Merging the two words without a clear break in tone.
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

他今天外出吃饭。

He is going out to eat today.

Subject + Time + 外出 + Action

2

我不外出。

I am not going out.

Negative '不' before the verb.

3

你要外出吗？

Are you going out?

Question particle '吗' at the end.

4

老师外出工作了。

The teacher went out to work.

The '了' indicates the action has started.

5

爸爸外出买东西。

Dad is going out to buy things.

Simple serial verb construction.

6

我们一起外出吧。

Let's go out together.

Suggestion particle '吧' at the end.

7

哥哥外出打球。

Older brother is going out to play ball.

外出 + specific sport.

8

外出的天气很好。

The weather for going out is very good.

Using '外出' as a modifier for '天气'.

1

他因为有事外出了一会儿。

He went out for a while because he had something to do.

Using '一会儿' to show duration.

2

周末我喜欢外出旅游。

I like to go out and travel on weekends.

Time phrase '周末' at the beginning.

3

请问王经理在吗？他外出办事了。

Is Manager Wang here? He went out on errands.

Common office dialogue.

4

今天太冷了，我不想外出。

It's too cold today; I don't want to go out.

Expressing desire with '想'.

5

外出时请关好门窗。

Please close the doors and windows when you go out.

'时' means 'when' or 'during'.

6

他经常外出，不在家。

He often goes out and is not at home.

Adverb '经常' before the verb.

7

她外出买菜了，很快回来。

She went out to buy vegetables and will be back soon.

Indicating future return.

8

我们决定下午外出散步。

We decided to go out for a walk this afternoon.

Verb '决定' followed by the action.

1

为了工作，他不得不经常外出。

For work, he has to go out frequently.

Using '不得不' to show necessity.

2

在这一带外出要特别小心。

Be very careful when going out in this area.

Location + 外出.

3

他外出期间，家里发生了很多事。

Many things happened at home while he was out.

'外出期间' functions as a time clause.

4

由于下大雨，我们的外出计划取消了。

Due to heavy rain, our outing plan was canceled.

'外出计划' as a compound noun.

5

他很少在深夜独自外出。

He rarely goes out alone late at night.

Adverbial phrase '在深夜独自'.

6

医生建议他多外出走走。

The doctor suggested he go out more often for walks.

Verb '建议' + object + verb phrase.

7

外出打工是很多年轻人的选择。

Going out to work is the choice of many young people.

Subject clause '外出打工'.

8

他还没回来，可能还在外面外出。

He hasn't returned yet; he might still be out.

Using '可能' to show possibility.

1

经理外出开会，有急事请联系秘书。

The manager is out for a meeting; if there's an emergency, please contact the secretary.

Formal office instruction.

2

这种天气不宜外出，以免感冒。

It's not suitable to go out in this weather, so as to avoid catching a cold.

Using '不宜' and '以免'.

3

他因为公务外出，预计下周五返回。

He is out on official business and is expected to return next Friday.

Formal '预计' for expectations.

4

外出时，请务必随身携带身份证件。

When going out, please be sure to carry your ID with you.

Adverb '务必' for emphasis.

5

他长期外出务工，很少回家过年。

He has been working away from home for a long time and rarely returns for the New Year.

Specific term '外出务工'.

6

我们要减少不必要的外出，保护环境。

We should reduce unnecessary outings to protect the environment.

Adjective '不必要的' modifying '外出'.

7

外出访问是增进了解的好机会。

Going out for a visit is a good opportunity to enhance understanding.

Subject phrase '外出访问'.

8

他外出寻找灵感，已经走了三个月了。

He went out to find inspiration and has been gone for three months.

Purpose clause '寻找灵感'.

1

在没有得到许可的情况下，严禁擅自外出。

In the absence of permission, going out without authorization is strictly prohibited.

Formal prohibitive structure '严禁擅自'.

2

他那次外出考察对公司的发展至关重要。

His inspection tour that time was crucial to the company's development.

Using '外出考察' as a formal term.

3

老教授虽然年事已高，但仍坚持外出讲学。

Although the old professor is advanced in years, he still insists on going out to give lectures.

Conjunction '虽然...但...'.

4

这种罕见的鸟类很少在白天外出活动。

This rare bird rarely goes out for activities during the day.

Describing animal behavior.

5

他这次外出是受政府委托，进行文化交流。

His trip this time was commissioned by the government for cultural exchange.

Passive-like structure '受...委托'.

6

由于战争，大批难民被迫外出寻找避难所。

Due to the war, large numbers of refugees were forced to go out and find shelter.

Using '被迫' to show external pressure.

7

他外出归来，带回了许多珍贵的资料。

Upon returning from his trip, he brought back many precious materials.

Verb phrase '外出归来'.

8

外出务工人员的权益保障是一个重要的社会课题。

The protection of the rights and interests of migrant workers is an important social issue.

Highly formal sociological term.

1

余秋雨在《文化苦旅》中多次描写了外出远行的心境。

Yu Qiuyu described the state of mind of traveling far and wide many times in 'A Culture of Bitter Travel'.

Literary reference.

2

这种外出并非简单的位移，而是一种精神的自我放逐。

This going out is not a simple displacement, but a kind of spiritual self-exile.

Philosophical '并非...而是...' structure.

3

政府颁布了严格的外出管制条例以应对突发公共卫生事件。

The government issued strict outing control regulations to respond to sudden public health emergencies.

Legal/Administrative terminology.

4

他那深居简出的生活方式与他早年的频繁外出形成了鲜明对比。

His reclusive lifestyle stands in sharp contrast to his frequent travels in his early years.

Contrasting '深居简出' with '外出'.

5

外出采风是许多艺术家汲取创作养分的重要途径。

Going out to collect folk songs or artistic materials is an important way for many artists to absorb creative nutrients.

Specific artistic term '采风'.

6

在该项研究中，‘外出’被定义为离开居住地超过二十四小时的行为。

In this study, 'going out' is defined as the act of leaving one's place of residence for more than twenty-four hours.

Academic definition.

7

他外出经商多年，终因思乡心切而选择回乡创业。

He went out to do business for many years and finally chose to return home to start a business due to homesickness.

Compound narrative structure.

8

外出之于他，不仅是空间的跨越，更是对未知领域的探索。

Going out, for him, is not only a leap in space but also an exploration of unknown fields.

Abstract '...之于...' structure.

Common Collocations

外出办事
外出旅游
外出就餐
外出务工
外出考察
经常外出
减少外出
擅自外出
外出期间
外出申请

Common Phrases

因公外出

— To go out for official or business reasons.

他因公外出，预计明天回来。

外出打工

— To leave home (usually rural) to find work.

很多村民都外出打工了。

不便外出

— Inconvenient to go out (due to health or other reasons).

他由于腿伤，不便外出。

外出登记

— To register one's departure from a building or area.

请在门卫处进行外出登记。

外出采风

— To go out to collect artistic inspiration or folk material.

画家去山区外出采风了。

深夜外出

— Going out late at night.

单身女性深夜外出要注意安全。

外出访问

— Going out for an official visit.

代表团正在进行外出访问。

外出散步

— Going out for a stroll.

吃完饭后，他们喜欢外出散步。

外出避暑

— Going out to a cooler place to escape the summer heat.

他们全家去承德外出避暑了。

外出觅食

— Going out to look for food (often humorous or for animals).

小猫外出觅食去了。

Idioms & Expressions

"深居简出"

— To live in seclusion and rarely go out.

他晚年生活深居简出。

Literary
"早出晚归"

— To leave early and return late (working hard).

为了养家，他每天早出晚归。

Common
"闭门不出"

— To stay indoors and not go out (often due to illness or study).

他为了准备考试，已经闭门不出一个月了。

Neutral
"倾巢而出"

— To go out in full force (literally 'everyone leaving the nest').

警察倾巢而出，搜捕罪犯。

Formal/Metaphorical
"出门见喜"

— May you find happiness as soon as you step out (a blessing).

祝你新年快乐，出门见喜！

Traditional/Festive
"夺门而出"

— To rush out of the door in a hurry or panic.

他听到消息，夺门而出。

Descriptive
"破门而出"

— To break through the door and rush out.

火灾时，他破门而出。

Descriptive
"出外靠朋友"

— When you are away from home, you rely on friends.

在家靠父母，出外靠朋友。

Proverb
"游山玩水"

— To go out and enjoy the scenery (traveling).

他退休后到处游山玩水。

Neutral
"东奔西走"

— To run around here and there (often for work or survival).

他为了生意四处东奔西走。

Neutral

Word Family

Nouns

外出者 (wàichūzhě - person who goes out)
外出证 (wàichūzhèng - outing permit)

Verbs

外带 (wàidài - to take out/carry out)
外派 (wàipài - to send out/dispatch abroad)

Adjectives

外向 (wàixiàng - extroverted)
外部 (wàibù - external)

Related

出去 (chūqù)
出门 (chūmén)
出差 (chūchāi)
户外 (hùwài)
外地 (wàidì)
Sign up free to see all examples

Word Origin

The term '外出' is a compound of two ancient Chinese characters. '外' (wài) originally depicted the moon outside a wall, signifying the exterior. '出' (chū) depicted a foot coming out of a container or cave, signifying exit.

Original meaning: To exit to the outside world.

Sino-Tibetan
Sign up free for tips & notes

Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

外出 Japanese
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!