ngoi6外

Jyutpingngoi6

Yalengoih

形容詞Very common

Definition

Outside; external; the outer part of an object or area.

colloquialplaces

How it's used

While 外 can be used in formal compounds, Cantonese speakers almost exclusively use 出面 when referring to a physical location outside. Using 外 alone as a noun for location sounds like a literary or Mandarin influence rather than natural speech. It is most commonly encountered in fixed phrases or when contrasting internal versus external factors.

Examples

ngoi6外min6面lok6落gan2緊daai6大jyu5雨，daai3帶baa2把ze1遮sin1先hou2好zau2走。

It's raining heavily outside, take an umbrella before you leave.

Common phrases

ngoi6外gwok3國

foreign country

ngoi6外maai6賣

takeaway

Common mistake

Do not use 外 as a standalone noun to mean outside in casual conversation, as it will sound unnatural or overly formal. Always use 出面 instead to describe being outdoors or outside a room.