Chinese word

外出

Pronunciation

Pinyinwài chū

Meaning

  • verbgo out

Example

今天下午我会外出，晚上回来。jīn tiān xià wǔ wǒ huì wài chū wǎn shàng huí lái

I will go out this afternoon and come back tonight.

Illustration for 外出 (go out)

More examples

他因为有急事，临时决定外出。tā yīn wèi yǒu jí shì lín shí jué dìng wài chū

Because he had an urgent matter, he suddenly decided to go out.

Core concept

A temporary move from the current place into the outside world, usually for a practical purpose.

Common phrases

  • 外出就餐wài chū jiù cān

    go out to eat

  • 外出旅行wài chū lǚ xíng

    travel

  • 因公外出yīn gōng wài chū

    go out on business

Similar words

出去chū qù: Go from the inside of a place to its outside.
出门chū mén: Go out from home, a room, or another building.
离开lí kāi: Go away from a place and head somewhere else.

Definition in Chinese

前往室外或其他地方，通常为办事、购物、就医等短期离开原处的行为。qián wǎng shì wài huò qí tā dì fāng tōng cháng wèi bàn shì gòu wù jiù yī děng duǎn qī lí kāi yuán chù de xíng wéi

Word origin

外 (wài, "outside") + 出 (chū, "go out") form a transparent compound that pictures moving from the current place toward the outside.

Usage tips

  • For native English speakers, go out can suggest socializing or dating, but this Chinese verb is neutral and often covers practical trips such as shopping, appointments, or medical visits.

Other meanings

  • going outnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 外出者wài chū zhěperson going outnoun
  • 外出许可wài chū xú kěpermission to go outnoun

Word lists with this word