Chinese word

内外

Pronunciation

Pinyinnèi wài

Meaning

nouninside and outside

Example

门的内外都要清理干净。mén de nèi wài dōu yào qīng lǐ gān jìng

Both the inside and outside of the door need to be cleaned thoroughly.

Illustration for 内外 (inside and outside)

More examples

公司在管理上要内外兼顾。gōng sī zài guán lǐ shàng yào nèi wài jiān gù

The company should take both internal and external factors into account in its management.

Core concept

The two sides of one thing considered together as one complete field.

Common phrases

内外兼顾nèi wài jiān gù
take both internal and external factors into account

Similar words

里面lǐ miàn: The inner position or surface of an object or place.
外面wài miàn: The outer position or surface of an object or place.
内部nèi bù: The inner part or internal structure of an organization or object.
外部wài bù: The outer part of an organization or object.

Definition in Chinese

指同一事物的里侧与外侧两个方面，强调同时处理或考虑两边。zhǐ tóng yí shì wù de lǐ cè yǔ wài cè liǎng gè fāng miàn qiáng diào tóng shí chú lǐ huò kǎo lǜ liǎng biān

Word origin

内 (nèi, "inside") + 外 (wài, "outside") forms a paired compound for the two sides of one thing.

Usage tips

In everyday Chinese, 内外 (nèiwài, "inside and outside") can follow a noun as a compact scope marker, while English usually makes the locations explicit.