bên ngoài
[ʔɓen˧˧ ŋwaːj˨˩]word by word
The English word 'outside' is translated into Vietnamese as bên ngoài.
bên ngoài is an adverb used to describe the location of something outdoors.
Meaning: outdoors (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of bên (side/direction) and ngoài (outside/exterior).
Which one should you use?
bên ngoài is the direct antonym of bên trong, which means 'inside'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the state of being located outside, the preposition ở is often added before bên ngoài.
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese culture, the concept of ngoài extends to family hierarchy. A 'relative from the outside' (họ ngoại) refers specifically to the mother's side of the family.
- The word ngoài is a 'doublet' of ngoại, meaning they are two different versions of the same root word. While ngoài is used for physical space, ngoại is used in formal terms like 'foreign' or 'maternal grandmother'.
- When talking about people, người ngoài (outside person) is often used to mean a 'stranger' or someone not in a secret or inner circle.
Examples in context
- Đứng bên ngoài đi.Step outside.This sentence is useful for telling someone to step outside using bên ngoài.Tatoeba #13333960 by leucammieuvu, translation #3363719 by CK
- Bên ngoài trời rất tối.It's all dark outside.This sentence is useful for describing how dark it is outside using bên ngoài.Tatoeba #5892 by khoaharp, translation #2048 by AlanF_US
- Chim đang hót bên ngoài.The birds outside are singing.This sentence is useful for describing birds singing outside using bên ngoài.Tatoeba #6207675 by letuananh, translation #6203698 by sundown
- Vui lòng đợi bên ngoài.Please wait outside.
- Mình sẽ đứng ở ngoài đợi bạn.I'll be outside waiting for you.
- ngoài công viênOutside the park
- Xin vui lòng đợi bên ngoài một chút được không?Could you please wait outside for a moment?
- Mình sẽ ở ngoài quán café đợi bạn.I'll be outside the café, waiting for you.
- Chúng ta cần ra ngoài để chờ taxi.We need to go outside to catch a taxi.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mai and Nam are standing at the entrance of a cafe.
- MaiCó ai ở bên ngoài không?Is there anyone outside?
- NamKhông có ai ở bên ngoài cả.There is nobody outside at all.
- MaiVậy chúng ta ngồi trong này nhé.Then let's sit in here.
- NamĐược, tôi đồng ý.Okay, I agree.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (bên, ngoài) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bên, bên ngoài, ngoài, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
