Readings: ガイ・ゲ (Onyomi), そと・ほか・はず (Kunyomi)
Meaning: outside, other, remove
The kanji 外 means “outside” and appears frequently in daily Japanese. It is used in words like 外国 (foreign country), 外出 (going out), and 外 (outside).
View JLPT N5 Kanji ListKanji Details
| Radical | 夕 (evening) + 卜 (divine) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 5 |
| JLPT Level | N5 |
| Grade | 2nd Grade |
Readings
| Onyomi | ガイ・ゲ |
|---|---|
| Kunyomi | そと・ほか・はず・はずす |
How to Write – Stroke Order
This kanji is composed of simple parts and is quick to write. It expresses the concept of being outside or external.
- Write the left radical 夕 (evening) first
- Follow with the 卜 component to the right
Example Sentences
Japanese: 外で遊びましょう。
Kana: そとであそびましょう。
Romaji: Soto de asobimashou.
English: Let’s play outside.
Japanese: 今日は外出します。
Kana: きょうはがいしゅつします。
Romaji: Kyou wa gaishutsu shimasu.
English: I’m going out today.
Japanese: 外国に行きたいです。
Kana: がいこくにいきたいです。
Romaji: Gaikoku ni ikitai desu.
English: I want to go to a foreign country.
Vocabulary Using 外
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 外 | そと | outside |
| 外国 | がいこく | foreign country |
| 外出 | がいしゅつ | going out |
| 外れ | はずれ | edge, miss |
| 外す | はずす | to remove |
🔗 N5 Grammar & Vocabulary
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