Japanese word

外務

Pronunciation

Romajigaimu

Meaning

  • nounforeign affairs

Example

彼は外務の仕事をしています。kare wa gai mu no shi goto o shi te i ma su

He works in foreign affairs.

Illustration for 外務 (foreign affairs)

More examples

彼女は国際会議で外務について説明します。kano jo wa koku sai kai gi de gai mu ni tsu i te setsu mei shi ma su

She explains foreign affairs at an international conference.

Core concept

Describes the external duties a country carries out through its relations with other countries.

Common phrases

  • 外務を担当するgai mu o tan tō su ru

    handle foreign affairs

Similar words

外交gaikō: The practice of managing relations between countries through official talks and agreements.
外交政策gaikōseisaku: A government's policies for managing relations with other countries.

Definition in Japanese

国が外国との関係を保ち、交渉などを行う仕事。kuni ga gai koku to no kan kei o tamo chi kō shō na do o okona u shi goto

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 外務 (gaimu) consists of 外 (gai, "outside") and 務 (mu, "duty"), expressing duties related to the outside world.

Usage tips

  • In everyday English, foreign affairs usually refers to a government's relations and policies involving other countries, rather than any job performed overseas.

Opposites

  • 内政naiseidomestic affairsnoun

Word lists with this word