noun / location word HSK 2
outside · exterior · external
Meaning
外面 is a common location word meaning 'outside' or 'the exterior.' It refers to the space or area that is outside of a specific place, boundary, or container. It's the opposite of 里面 (inside).
Usage
外面 is used naturally in everyday speech to indicate location outside of buildings, rooms, or enclosed spaces. It can also refer to external aspects of things or situations happening in the outside world. Commonly used with 在 (at/in) to form 在外面 (be outside), or with directional verbs like 到外面去 (go outside).
Examples
- 01外面在下雨，你带伞了吗？, ?It's raining outside, did you bring an umbrella?
- 02孩子们都在外面玩儿。.The children are all playing outside.
Characters
Common collocations
- 在外面be outside, be outdoors
- 到外面去go outside
- 外面的世界the outside world
- 从外面from outside
Antonyms
Origin
外 originally depicted a person performing divination outside the city, signifying 'external.' 面 originally meant 'face' and extended to mean 'surface' or 'side.' Together they form a compound indicating 'the outside surface/side.'