外面
wàimiàn
The English word 'outside' can be translated into Chinese as 外面 (wàimiàn), meaning outdoors. Wiktionary also lists 外邊 / 外边 (wàibiān).
Meaning: outdoors (adv)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 外面 | wàimiàn |
| 外邊 / 外边 | wàibiān |
The most common and neutral term for 'outside' in Mandarin is 外面. In specific contexts, you might use 户外 to refer specifically to outdoor activities or settings. If you are looking for the term for 'outer surface', you should use 表面.
What does it mean word for word?
The character 外 means 'outside' or 'outer'.
Which one should you use?
While both 外面 and 外邊 mean 'outside', 外邊 often emphasizes the 'side' or 'edge' of a space. 外面 is the more common general term for 'outdoors' or 'the outside area'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
外头 is an informal term for 'outside' that is commonly used in spoken language.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, you can use 出面 to mean 'outside'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To say someone or something is 'outside', you typically use the structure [Subject] + 在 (zài) + 外面 (wàimiàn).
How do you pronounce it?
wàimiàn
Did you know?
- In some contexts, 外面 can be used as a euphemism for 'extramarital affairs' or 'secret relationships', implying that the action takes place 'outside' the home.
- The word 外 is used to describe 'extroverts' in the term 外向, literally meaning 'facing outward'.
- The character 外 (wài) is a core component in the Chinese word for 'foreign', which is 外国 (wàiguó), literally 'outside country'.
Examples in context
- 外面在下雪。It snows outside.This sentence is useful for describing the weather conditions using 外面.Tatoeba #3322674 by cienias, translation #1233638 by shanghainese
- 你去外面吗？Are you going outside?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's location using 外面.Tatoeba #3780477 by e78xx_xxx, translation #2890939 by CK
- 外面起霧了。It's foggy outside.Tatoeba #5957545 by xjjAstrus, translation #9926141 by sundown
- 我想去外面走走I want to go outside for a walk.
- 我喜欢户外运动I enjoy outdoor activities.
- 我们去外头玩吧Let's go play outside.
- 车站外边有个咖啡店There's a café outside the train station.
- 46 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding where to eat lunch.
- 俊杰 Junjie我们在外面吃吧。Wǒmen zài wàimiàn chī ba.Let's eat outside.
- 佳怡 Jiayi可是外面太热了。Kěshì wàimiàn tài rè le.But it's too hot outside.
- 俊杰 Junjie我可以帮你拿遮阳伞。Wǒ kěyǐ bāng nǐ ná zhēyángsǎn.I can bring a parasol for you.
- 佳怡 Jiayi好，那我们走吧。Hǎo, nà wǒmen zǒu ba.Okay, let's go then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “outside” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
