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外 (wài), outside | Chinese Dictionary | HSKLord

外

外

wài

outside; in addition; foreign; external

HSK 1 Was HSK 25 strokes

Character Breakdown

外 = 夕 + 卜

Evening divination is done outside — outer

Radical: 夕 (no. 36)Strokes: 5

View stroke order →

Definitions

outside
in addition
foreign
external

Example Sentences

他在外面等我。

Tā zài wàimiàn děng wǒ

He's waiting for me outside

Words Containing 外

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
以外	yǐ wài	apart from	HSK 3
之外	zhī wài	outside
不外	bù wài	not beyond the scope of
中外	zhōng wài	Sino-foreign	HSK 5
不外乎

Related Words

以外(yǐ wài)· apart from

外来(wài lái)· external

内外(nèi wài)· inside and outside

域外(yù wài)· outside the country

Grammar Notes

Except/Besides (除了)HSK 3

除了 + A + (以外)，... 都/也/还 ...

Continuous State (着)HSK 3

Verb + 着 (+ Object)

Let Alone (别说...就是)HSK 4

别说 + Extreme Case + 了, 就是/连 + Lesser Case + 都/也 + Predicate

In Addition (另外)HSK 4

Sentence 1。另外，Sentence 2。

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 1
HSK 2.0: HSK 2
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

外: HSK 2 on the old exam, HSK 1 on the new one. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 1 exam

Studying for HSK 1? Keep 外 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 1 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.