noun / adjective HSK 4
overseas · abroad · foreign countries
Meaning
海外 literally means 'outside the sea' and refers to foreign countries or regions beyond one's own borders, especially those across the ocean. It commonly describes locations, people, or activities that are international or outside of China.
Usage
Used in both formal and informal contexts to describe anything related to foreign countries. Common in news, business, and everyday conversation when discussing international matters. Often appears in compounds like 海外华人 (overseas Chinese) or 海外市场 (overseas markets). More formal than 国外.
Examples
- 01他在海外工作了十年。.He worked overseas for ten years.
- 02这家公司正在开拓海外市场。.This company is developing overseas markets.
Characters
Common collocations
- 海外华人overseas Chinese
- 海外市场overseas market
- 海外留学to study abroad
- 海外投资overseas investment
Antonyms
Origin
Combines 海 (sea) and 外 (outside) to literally mean 'beyond the sea,' reflecting China's historical perspective of foreign lands as places across the ocean.