About
The character 外 combines two components: the radical 夕 (evening/moon) on the left and 卜 (divination) on the right. Its origin traces to the practice of daytime divination; performing a divination in the evening was considered irregular or outside the norm. This association established the primary meaning of "outside" or "external", contrasting with the internal or domestic. Over time, the meaning extended to include maternal relatives (those outside the patrilineal clan) and is commonly used as a prefix in compounds denoting foreign countries, external affairs, or outward appearances.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我在外面等你。
他来自外国。
外面下雨了。
他在外地工作。
我们计划去国外旅行。
除了学习，他还有课外活动。
这个问题涉及外交政策。
在意外事故发生之后，公司加强了安全管理。