そと
sotoeveryday
Outside in hiragana is そと (soto). It is the opposite of inside, なか (naka). For open-air places such as a field or a camping ground, やがい (yagai) means outdoors.
Meaning: outside (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| そと | soto | everyday |
| やがい | yagai | outdoors |
Which one should you use?
そと is the simple word for outside a building or room. やがい is used for outdoor activities and events.
How does it change in a sentence?
Add で after そと to say where you do something: そとであそぶ (soto de asobu), "play outside".
Did you know?
- In a Japanese home, outdoor shoes come off in the げんかん (genkan), the entrance area that divides そと from うち (uchi), the inside.
Examples in context
- そとはさむいです。Soto wa samui desu.It is cold outside.
- そとであそびましょう。Soto de asobimashō.Let's play outside.
Example conversation
Mother and her son Hiro decide what to do on a sunny day.
- Motherきょうはいいてんきね。Kyō wa ii tenki ne.The weather is nice today.
- Hiroそとであそびたい。Soto de asobitai.I want to play outside.
- Motherぼうしをかぶってね。Bōshi o kabutte ne.Wear a hat.
