When you want to say something is outside or externally, the Japanese word you'll use is 外に (soto ni). Think of it as indicating a location or direction that is not inside. You might use it to describe something happening outside a building, or even a general concept of being outside a certain boundary.
For example, if you say 「外にいる」 (soto ni iru), it means "I am outside." If you're talking about taking something outside, you might hear 「外に出す」 (soto ni dasu), meaning "to take it outside." It’s a very common and useful word for describing location.
When you're trying to describe something happening outside or externally, the Japanese word for that is 外に (soto ni). Think of it as a clear, direct way to say 'outdoors' or 'on the exterior'.
It's an adverb, which means it tells you more about a verb – how, when, or where something is done. So, if someone is playing outside, or if something is located on the outside, 外に is the word you'll use to express that.
This is a practical word that comes up often in everyday conversation, so it's good to get familiar with it.
When you want to express that something is happening or located outside, you can use the word 「外に」 (soto ni). This adverb is straightforward and can be used in many contexts. For example, if you say 「外にいます」 (soto ni imasu), it means "I am outside." You can also use it to describe an action occurring externally, like 「外に置く」 (soto ni oku), which means "to put outside." It’s a versatile term for indicating an external location or direction.
外に 30秒了解
- outside
- externally
- outdoors
§ Understanding 外に (soto ni)
The Japanese word 外に (soto ni) is an adverb that generally means "outside" or "externally." It's a very common and practical word you'll hear often in daily conversation. Let's break down how to use it effectively.
- Japanese Word
- 外に (soto ni)
- Part of Speech
- Adverb
- Definition
- Outside; externally.
§ Basic Usage
The most straightforward way to use 外に (soto ni) is to indicate a location or direction. It tells you where an action is happening or where something is located.
外に行こう。
Let's go outside.
外に犬がいる。
There is a dog outside.
§ With Verbs of Movement
When you use 外に (soto ni) with verbs that express movement, it clearly shows the destination or the direction of the movement towards the outside.
行く (iku) - to go
公園に外に遊びに行く。
I'm going outside to the park to play.
出る (deru) - to exit/to go out
彼は家を外に出た。
He went outside the house.
§ With Verbs of Existence
You can also use 外に (soto ni) with verbs like いる (iru) for animate objects and ある (aru) for inanimate objects to describe where something exists.
いる (iru) - to exist (animate)
猫が外にいる。
A cat is outside.
ある (aru) - to exist (inanimate)
自転車が外にある。
The bicycle is outside.
§ Common Phrases and Variations
You'll often hear 外に (soto ni) in conjunction with other words to form common phrases. Pay attention to how the context changes the nuance slightly.
外に出る (soto ni deru) - to go outside
ちょっと外に出たいです。
I want to go outside for a bit.
外にいる (soto ni iru) - to be outside
彼はいつも外にいる。
He is always outside.
难度评级
short
short
short
short
接下来学什么
前置知识
接下来学习
高级
需要掌握的语法
「外に」(soto ni) is used with verbs of existence (いる/iru, ある/aru) to indicate something is located outside. It can also be used with verbs of movement (行く/iku, 出る/deru) to indicate moving to the outside.
猫は外にいます。(Neko wa soto ni imasu.) - The cat is outside.
When specifying a particular action being done outside, it often precedes the verb. For example, to say 'eat outside', you would say '外で食べる' (soto de taberu), using 'で' (de) to mark the location of the action. However, '外に' emphasizes the state of being outside or moving to the outside.
子供たちは外に遊びに行った。(Kodomo-tachi wa soto ni asobi ni itta.) - The children went outside to play.
It can be used to describe actions that take place outside a building or a defined area.
彼らは外に集まった。(Karera wa soto ni atsumatta.) - They gathered outside.
「外に」 can also imply 'beyond' or 'in addition to' in certain contexts, though '以外に' (igai ni) is more common for this meaning. For example, 'これ以外に' (kore igai ni) means 'besides this'. When referring to location, it's strictly 'outside'.
窓の外に鳥が見える。(Mado no soto ni tori ga mieru.) - I can see a bird outside the window.
Pay attention to the nuance between 「外に」 (soto ni) and 「外で」 (soto de). 「外に」 emphasizes the location or direction of something or someone, whereas 「外で」 emphasizes the place where an action occurs.
彼は外に出かけた。(Kare wa soto ni dekaketa.) - He went outside. (Focus on direction) vs. 彼は外で働いている。(Kare wa soto de hataraite iru.) - He is working outside. (Focus on where the action is happening)
按水平分级的例句
外に出ましょうか？
Shall we go outside?
Using 'ましょうか' to suggest an action.
猫が外にいます。
The cat is outside.
Using 'います' for animate objects.
彼らは家を外から見た。
They looked at the house from the outside.
Using 'から' to indicate 'from'.
外の音が聞こえる。
I can hear sounds from outside.
Using 'の' as a possessive particle connecting '外' and '音'.
外の空気は新鮮だ。
The air outside is fresh.
Using 'の' to modify '空気'.
外で遊びましょう。
Let's play outside.
Using 'で' to indicate the location of an action.
外に誰もいなかった。
There was no one outside.
Using '誰も' with a negative verb.
窓の外は雨です。
It's raining outside the window.
Using 'の' to connect '窓' and '外'.
外に出ることに抵抗があったが、彼女の励ましで一歩踏み出せた。
I was reluctant to go outside, but her encouragement helped me take a step forward.
窓の外に広がる壮大な景色に、私たちは皆息をのんだ。
We all held our breath at the magnificent scenery spreading outside the window.
彼はいつも冷静を装っているが、内心では激しい感情が渦巻いている。
He always pretends to be calm, but intense emotions are swirling inside him.
その問題は、外的な要因だけでなく、内部的な構造にも起因している。
The problem stems not only from external factors but also from internal structures.
外に情報を漏らさないよう、厳重なセキュリティ対策が講じられている。
Strict security measures are in place to prevent information from leaking outside.
彼女は自分の殻に閉じこもりがちで、あまり外に心を開かない。
She tends to withdraw into her shell and doesn't open her heart much to others.
この件については、外には一切口外しないと約束してほしい。
I want you to promise not to reveal anything about this matter to outsiders.
困難な状況にもかかわらず、彼は決して外に弱音を吐かなかった。
Despite the difficult situation, he never showed any weakness to the outside world.
容易混淆的词
The direct opposite, meaning 'inside' or 'into'. The particles 'に' (ni) functions similarly, indicating movement or location.
While '家' (ie) means 'house', '家外' is not a standard or natural way to say 'outside the house'. You would typically use '家の外' (ie no soto) or simply '外に'.
Similar to '外に', 'へ' (e) also indicates direction 'to' or 'towards' the outside, but it emphasizes the direction rather than the destination.
语法模式
习语与表达
"外に出る"
To go outside.
天気がいいから、外に出ましょう。(The weather is nice, so let's go outside.)
neutral"外で食べる"
To eat outside (e.g., at a restaurant, picnic).
今日は外で食べたい気分。(I feel like eating out today.)
neutral"外から見る"
To look from the outside; to observe from an external perspective.
その問題を外から見てみよう。(Let's try to look at that problem from the outside.)
neutral"外にいる"
To be outside.
彼はまだ外にいるようだ。(It seems he is still outside.)
neutral"外に向かう"
To head outside; to face outwards.
彼女は玄関から外に向かった。(She headed outside from the entrance.)
neutral"外に持ち出す"
To take something outside.
このごみを外に持ち出してください。(Please take this trash outside.)
neutral"外に目を向ける"
To look outside; to turn one's attention to external matters.
私たちはもっと外に目を向けるべきだ。(We should pay more attention to the outside world.)
neutral"外に漏れる"
To leak outside (e.g., information, sound).
秘密が外に漏れてしまった。(The secret leaked out.)
neutral"外に放り出す"
To throw someone/something out.
彼を部屋から外に放り出した。(I threw him out of the room.)
informal"外に広がる"
To spread outwards; to expand externally.
噂はあっという間に外に広がった。(The rumor spread outside in no time.)
neutral容易混淆
This adverb means 'outside' or 'externally'. Learners often confuse it with similar-sounding words or phrases that have slightly different nuances or grammatical functions.
Used to indicate movement or location to the outside. It directly translates to 'to the outside' or 'on the outside'.
彼らは外に遊びに行った。 (Karera wa soto ni asobi ni itta.) - They went outside to play.
This also means 'outside', but the particle 'で' (de) indicates the location where an action takes place.
Used to specify the location where an action occurs. It means 'at/in the outside'.
外で待っています。 (Soto de matte imasu.) - I am waiting outside.
This is the noun form of 'outside'. Learners might try to use it directly in contexts where '外に' or '外で' would be more appropriate.
This is the noun itself, meaning 'the outside' or 'exterior'. It needs a particle to function grammatically in a sentence as a location or direction.
外は寒い。 (Soto wa samui.) - It's cold outside.
This word also means 'outside' or 'outdoors', but it often refers to an 'outdoor area' or 'outdoors' as a general concept, sometimes with a more formal or specific connotation.
Often used for 'outdoor' activities or 'outdoor' spaces, as an adjective or noun. It can feel more official or descriptive than '外'.
屋外でのイベントです。 (Okugai de no ibento desu.) - It's an outdoor event.
This word means 'the outside part', 'external', or 'exterior', but it often refers to something more abstract or a part of a system rather than a physical location for movement.
Refers to the 'external part' or 'external aspect' of something, often used in a more technical or formal context. It's less about going outside and more about the exterior of an object or system.
この機械の外部はプラスチック製です。 (Kono kikai no gaibu wa purasuchikku-sei desu.) - The exterior of this machine is made of plastic.
句型
Noun + が + 外に + Verb
犬が外にいます。 (The dog is outside.)
外に + Verb
外に行きます。 (I'm going outside.)
Verbて-form + 外に + Verb
座って外に待ちます。 (I'll sit and wait outside.)
外に + Noun + が + あります/います
外に友達がいます。 (There's a friend outside.)
〜から、外に〜
寒いから、外に長くいたくない。 (It's cold, so I don't want to stay outside long.)
外に + Noun + を + Verb
外にゴミを出してください。 (Please put the trash outside.)
外に + Place + へ + 行く
外に公園へ行こう。 (Let's go to the park outside.)
Verb-stem + に + 外に + Verb
食べに外に行きます。 (I'm going outside to eat.)
词族
名词
形容词
小贴士
Basic use of 外に
外に (soto ni) literally means "to the outside" or "outdoors." It is commonly used to indicate a location or direction.
外に in simple sentences
You'll often hear it in phrases like 外にいる (soto ni iru - to be outside) or 外に行く (soto ni iku - to go outside).
Contrasting with 中に
The direct opposite of 外に (soto ni) is 中に (naka ni - inside). It's helpful to learn them together to understand the spatial relationship.
外に for going out
When someone says 外に出る (soto ni deru), they mean to "go out" or "exit to the outside." This is a very common expression.
Using 外に with actions
You can use 外に with verbs that involve movement or placement. For example, 外に置く (soto ni oku - to put outside).
Don't confuse with 外で
While similar, 外に (soto ni) indicates direction or location towards the outside, whereas 外で (soto de) specifies an action happening outside. For instance, 外で食べる (soto de taberu - to eat outside).
Asking about being outside
To ask if someone is outside, you can say 外にいますか？ (soto ni imasu ka? - Are you outside?).
Indicating something is outside
You can describe objects or things that are outside. For example, 外に車がある (soto ni kuruma ga aru - There's a car outside).
Adjective form outside
While 外に is an adverb, the noun 外 (soto) can also be used to describe things as being "outside" or "external," often with の (no) like 外の空気 (soto no kuuki - outside air).
Context is key
Like many Japanese particles, the exact nuance of 外に depends heavily on the context of the sentence. Pay attention to the surrounding words.
记住它
记忆技巧
Think of 'soto' sounding a bit like 'south' if you're outside looking south. And 'ni' is just a particle here, so focus on 'soto.' 'South, oh! Outside!'
视觉联想
Imagine a bright sunny day, and you're stepping 'outside' into the 'soto' air. You can almost feel the 'ni' breeze.
Word Web
挑战
Try to use '外に' in three sentences today. For example, when you talk about going outside, or something being outside a place. Focus on using it naturally.
自我测试 72 个问题
Choose the correct way to say 'outside the house' in Japanese:
「外に」(soto ni) means 'outside'. To say 'outside the house', we combine 'house' (家 ie) with the possessive particle の (no) and then 'outside' (外に soto ni).
Which sentence means 'The cat is outside'?
「猫は外にいます。」(Neko wa soto ni imasu.) translates to 'The cat is outside'. 「います」(imasu) is used for living things.
If you want to say 'Please go outside', which option is correct?
「外に行ってください。」(Soto ni itte kudasai.) means 'Please go outside'. 「行ってください」(itte kudasai) is the polite command form of 'to go'.
「外に」 (soto ni) can mean 'outside'.
Yes, 「外に」(soto ni) directly translates to 'outside' or 'externally'.
You use 「外に」 to talk about something being inside.
No, 「外に」(soto ni) is used for 'outside'. To talk about being 'inside', you would use 「中に」(naka ni).
「外にいます」 means 'I am inside'.
No, 「外にいます」(soto ni imasu) means 'I am outside' or 'someone/something is outside'. 「中にいます」(naka ni imasu) means 'I am inside'.
There is a dog outside.
Is the cat outside?
Let's play outside.
Read this aloud:
外にいます。
Focus: そとに (soto ni)
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
外に行きます。
Focus: そとに (soto ni)
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
外は寒いです。
Focus: そとは (soto wa)
你说的：
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This sentence means 'The dog is outside.' '犬 (inu)' means dog, 'が (ga)' is a subject particle, '外に (soto ni)' means outside, and 'います (imasu)' means is (for living things).
This sentence means 'I will go outside today.' '私 (watashi)' means I, 'は (wa)' is a topic particle, '今日 (kyō)' means today, '外に (soto ni)' means outside, and '行きます (ikimasu)' means will go.
This sentence means 'The children are playing outside.' '子供 (kodomo)' means children, 'が (ga)' is a subject particle, '外で (soto de)' means outside (location of action), and '遊んでいます (asonde imasu)' means are playing.
今日は天気がいいから、___で食べましょう。
The sentence means 'The weather is nice today, so let's eat outside.' '外に' (soto ni) means 'outside.'
猫が___いる。
The sentence means 'The cat is outside.' '外に' (soto ni) means 'outside.'
週末は___出かけることが多いです。
The sentence means 'I often go out on weekends.' '外に' (soto ni) means 'outside' or 'out.'
誰か___いるみたいです。
The sentence means 'It seems like someone is outside.' '外に' (soto ni) means 'outside.'
この部屋は暑いから、___行きましょう。
The sentence means 'This room is hot, so let's go outside.' '外に' (soto ni) means 'outside.'
彼は___働きに出ています。
The sentence means 'He is out working.' '外に' (soto ni) means 'outside' or 'out.'
The dog is outside.
Let's go outside.
It's raining, so I don't want to go outside.
Read this aloud:
外に猫がいます。
Focus: そとにねこがいます。
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
外で遊びましょう。
Focus: そとであそびましょう。
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
外は寒いです。
Focus: そとはさむいです。
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Choose the correct way to say 'Let's go outside' in Japanese.
「外に」 (soto ni) means 'outside' and 「行きましょう」 (ikimashou) means 'let's go'.
Which sentence means 'The cat is outside'?
「猫」 (neko) is cat, 「外に」 (soto ni) is outside, and 「います」 (imasu) is the polite form of 'to be' for living things.
How would you tell someone to 'Please wait outside'?
「外で」 (soto de) indicates the location 'outside' where an action happens, and 「待ってください」 (matte kudasai) means 'please wait'.
The sentence '外にあります' (Soto ni arimasu) means 'It is outside'.
「外に」 (soto ni) means 'outside' and 「あります」 (arimasu) means 'there is/it is' for inanimate objects.
If you say '外に食べます' (Soto ni tabemasu), it correctly means 'I eat outside'.
When indicating the place where an action occurs, you should use the particle 「で」 (de), not 「に」 (ni). The correct phrase would be 「外で食べます」 (Soto de tabemasu).
「外に」 (Soto ni) can be used to describe something that is 'externally' visible.
「外に」 (soto ni) can also mean 'externally', indicating something visible from the outside.
今日の天気予報によると、明日は一日中___晴れるそうです。
文脈から、天気が一日中「外で」晴れるということがわかります。
鍵をどこかに置き忘れたようで、家から___出られません。
鍵がないため、家から「外へ」出られないという状況を表しています。
彼はいつも仕事の後は___運動します。
仕事の後に「外で」運動するという行動を示しています。
この部屋は窓が少ないので、___光が入りにくいです。
窓が少ないため、「外から」の光が入りにくいという意味です。
子供たちは公園で___元気いっぱいに遊んでいます。
子供たちが公園という「外で」遊んでいる様子を表しています。
この箱は___持ち出さないでください。大切なものがたくさん入っています。
箱を「外へ」持ち出さないでほしいという指示です。
You are planning to meet a friend. Write a short message suggesting you meet outside a specific building.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
駅の前に着いたら、外にいます。そこで会いませんか？
Describe a situation where someone is looking at something from the outside, but cannot enter. Use '外に'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
彼は窓から外に雪が降るのをただ見ているだけで、部屋からは出られなかった。
Write a sentence explaining that a particular sound is coming from outside.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
変な音がすると思ったら、外に救急車が止まっていた。
筆者はどこでコーヒーを飲んでいますか？
Read this passage:
今日は天気が良いので、私はカフェのテラス席でコーヒーを飲んでいます。心地よい風が吹いていて、とてもリラックスできます。多くの人が外に散歩に出かけているのが見えます。
筆者はどこでコーヒーを飲んでいますか？
筆者は「カフェのテラス席でコーヒーを飲んでいます」と明記されています。
筆者は「カフェのテラス席でコーヒーを飲んでいます」と明記されています。
犬は何をしているようです？
Read this passage:
子供たちは新しいおもちゃに夢中で、部屋で遊んでいます。しかし、彼らの犬は退屈そうに窓から外に何かを探しているようでした。もしかしたら、散歩に行きたいのかもしれません。
犬は何をしているようです？
「彼らの犬は退屈そうに窓から外に何かを探しているようでした」と書かれています。
「彼らの犬は退屈そうに窓から外に何かを探しているようでした」と書かれています。
イベントが始まってから、人々は何をしていましたか？
Read this passage:
近所のイベントのために、ボランティアの人たちが午前中から集まって準備をしていました。大きな看板を立てたり、椅子を並べたりしていました。午後にイベントが始まると、多くの人が外に集まって楽しんでいました。
イベントが始まってから、人々は何をしていましたか？
「午後にイベントが始まると、多くの人が外に集まって楽しんでいました」と記載されています。
「午後にイベントが始まると、多くの人が外に集まって楽しんでいました」と記載されています。
This sentence means 'He went outside.' The subject (彼) comes first, followed by the adverbial phrase (外に), and then the verb (出かけた).
This sentence means 'The dog might be outside.' The subject (犬が) comes first, followed by the location (外に), the existence verb (いる), and then the uncertainty expression (かもしれない).
This sentence means 'Please put the mail outside.' The object (郵便物を) comes first, followed by the location (外に), and then the verb phrase (置いてください).
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼はいつも休日は___で遊んでいる。
The sentence implies playing outdoors during holidays. '外に' (soto ni) means 'outside'.
Which sentence correctly uses '外に'?
This sentence means 'That dog likes being outside.' '外に' is used correctly to indicate location.
Select the best translation for 'It's cold outside today.'
'外に' (soto ni) translates to 'outside' and fits the context of the sentence.
「外に」は「建物の内部」を意味する。
「外に」は「建物の外部」を意味します。「内部」は「中に」です。
「彼らは外で食事をした」という文で、「外で」は「外に」と同じ意味で使われている。
「外で」と「外に」は、この文脈ではどちらも「屋外で」という場所を示し、ほぼ同じ意味で使われます。
日本語で「外に」は常に場所を表す。
「外に」は場所を表すことが多いですが、「外に～ない」のように「～以外にない」という限定の意味で使われることもあります。
Even if you are outside, this comfort does not change.
Please don't speak so loudly that it can be heard outside.
His job always involves negotiations with external parties.
Read this aloud:
外に持ち出すのは危険です。
Focus: そとに もちだすのは きけんです
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
この情報は外には漏らせません。
Focus: この じょうほうは そとには もらせません
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
外で会うのはどうですか？
Focus: そとで あうのは どうですか
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'I am waiting outside the meeting room.' The particles の and に correctly indicate 'of the meeting room' and 'at/in/on the outside' respectively, followed by the verb for waiting.
This means 'I couldn't understand him externally/from the outside.' Here, 外に functions to describe the perspective of understanding.
This translates to 'That problem was made public externally.' 外に indicates that the public announcement was made to external parties.
/ 72 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Use 外に to talk about things located outside or moving to the outside.
- outside
- externally
- outdoors
Basic use of 外に
外に (soto ni) literally means "to the outside" or "outdoors." It is commonly used to indicate a location or direction.
外に in simple sentences
You'll often hear it in phrases like 外にいる (soto ni iru - to be outside) or 外に行く (soto ni iku - to go outside).
Contrasting with 中に
The direct opposite of 外に (soto ni) is 中に (naka ni - inside). It's helpful to learn them together to understand the spatial relationship.
外に for going out
When someone says 外に出る (soto ni deru), they mean to "go out" or "exit to the outside." This is a very common expression.
相关内容
这个词在其他语言中
更多home词汇
上に
B1Above; on top of.
不在
B1Absent; not present. Not in a particular place.
手頃な
B1Affordable, reasonable (price).
お先に
B1Excuse me for going first; said when leaving before others.
仲介
B1Mediation, agency (e.g., real estate).
あっ
B1Ah!; an exclamation of sudden realization or surprise.
エアコン
A2air conditioner
冷暖房
B1Air conditioning and heating system.
風通しの良い
B1Well-ventilated; airy.
～可
A2Suffix meaning "permitted" or "allowed".
