Word
以外 (yǐ wài) — Chinese word meaning
HSK 3
以外 (yǐ wài) is a Chinese word: besides, other than, except for. This page shows its pinyin, translation, example sentences, character breakdown, decomposition, and HSK level.
Meaning of 以外
名 míng noun
besides, other than, except for
除了中文以外，我还会说英语。
chú le zhōng wén yǐ wài wǒ hái huì shuō yīng yǔ
Besides Chinese, I can also speak English.
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Word breakdown
以 yǐ — by means of, taking as (reference point)
Words with this character (31)
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- 可 can; able to; expressing possibility or permission
- 以 by means of; complements 可 to form expressions of ability or acceptability
Example
我可以帮你。
wǒ kě yǐ bāng nǐ
I can help you.
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Example
天气很冷，所以我穿了很多衣服。
tiān qì hěn lěng suǒ yǐ wǒ chuān le hěn duō yī fu
The weather is very cold, so I wore a lot of clothes.
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- 以 from, starting from (indicates a reference point)
- 上 up, above (indicates upward direction or higher value)
Example
十八岁以上的人可以投票。
shí bā suì yǐ shàng de rén kě yǐ tóu piào
People 18 years and above can vote.
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Example
请看以下说明。
qǐng kàn yǐ xià shuō míng
Please see the following instructions.
-
Example
我以为他不来了。
wǒ yǐ wéi tā bù lái le
I thought he wasn't coming.
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- 以 grammatical marker connecting with 前 to form time expression
- 前 before, previous (in terms of time)
Example
我以前住在北京。
wǒ yǐ qián zhù zài běi jīng
I lived in Beijing before.
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- 以 from; by means of (marks the starting point in time)
- 后 after; later; behind (provides the temporal direction)
Example
以后我会更加努力。
yǐ hòu wǒ huì gèng jiā nǔ lì
In the future, I will work even harder.
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- 以 by means of, with (functions as a preposition establishing a boundary)
- 内 inside, within (indicates interior space or limit)
Example
请在三天以内完成这项工作。
qǐng zài sān tiān yǐ nèi wán chéng zhè xiàng gōng zuò
Please complete this work within three days.
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Example
会议讨论了经济以及环境问题。
huì yì tǎo lùn le jīng jì yǐ jí huán jìng wèn tí
The meeting discussed economic as well as environmental issues.
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- 以 from, since (marking the starting point in time)
- 来 coming up to now (indicates direction toward present)
Example
改革开放以来，中国发生了巨大的变化。
gǎi gé kāi fàng yǐ lái zhōng guó fā shēng le jù dà de biàn huà
Since the reform and opening up, China has undergone tremendous changes.
-
Example
这种感觉难以形容。
zhè zhǒng gǎn jué nán yǐ xíng róng
This feeling is hard to describe.
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- 之 grammatical particle linking the reason
- 所 that which, indicating the object or thing
- 以 by means of, because of (causal meaning)
Example
我之所以学中文，是因为我喜欢中国文化。
wǒ zhī suǒ yǐ xué zhōng wén shì yīn wèi wǒ xǐ huān zhōng guó wén huà
The reason why I study Chinese is because I like Chinese culture.
-
- 以 by means of, in order to (grammatical marker indicating purpose)
- 便 convenient, then (combines with 以 to express facilitation of purpose)
Example
请提前预订，以便我们安排座位。
qǐng tí qián yù dìng yǐ biàn wǒ men ān pái zuò wèi
Please book in advance so that we can arrange seats.
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Example
请早点出发，以免迟到。
qǐng zǎo diǎn chū fā yǐ miǎn chí dào
Please leave early so as not to be late.
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Example
他比以往更加努力了。
tā bǐ yǐ wǎng gèng jiā nǔ lì le
He works harder than before.
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Example
这个问题需要加以解决。
zhè ge wèn tí xū yào jiā yǐ jiě jué
This problem needs to be resolved.
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Example
通过努力学习，她得以考上理想的大学。
tōng guò nǔ lì xué xí tā dé yǐ kǎo shàng lǐ xiǎng de dà xué
Through diligent study, she was able to get into her ideal university.
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Example
一个微笑足以让人感到温暖。
yí gè wēi xiào zú yǐ ràng rén gǎn dào wēn nuǎn
A smile is enough to make people feel warm.
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Example
他对我的建议不以为然。
tā duì wǒ de jiàn yì bù yǐ wéi rán
He disapproves of my suggestion.
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Example
学校对优秀学生予以奖励。
xué xiào duì yōu xiù xué shēng yǔ yǐ jiǎng lì
The school gives rewards to outstanding students.
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- 以 by means of; using (forms part of conjunction)
- 至 to reach; to arrive at (indicates extent)
- 于 at; in (preposition completing the conjunction)
Example
她太累了，以至于在会议上睡着了。
tā tài lèi le yǐ zhì yú zài huì yì shàng shuì zháo le
She was so tired that she fell asleep during the meeting.
-
- 以 by means of; because of (provides causal element)
- 致 to lead to; to result in (provides consequence element)
Example
他工作太累，以致生病了。
tā gōng zuò tài lèi yǐ zhì shēng bìng le
He worked so hard that he became ill.
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Example
作为领导，他总是以身作则。
zuò wéi lǐng dǎo tā zǒng shì yǐ shēn zuò zé
As a leader, he always leads by example.
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- 全 complete, entire, all
- 力 strength, effort, power
- 以 with, using, by means of
- 赴 go to, devote to, attend to
Example
为了实现目标，我们要全力以赴。
wèi le shí xiàn mù biāo wǒ men yào quán lì yǐ fù
To achieve our goal, we must go all out.
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Example
他夜以继日地工作，终于完成了项目。
tā yè yǐ jì rì de gōng zuò zhōng yú wán chéng le xiàng mù
He worked day and night and finally completed the project.
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Example
经过多年的努力，他终于如愿以偿考上了理想的大学。
jīng guò duō nián de nǔ lì tā zhōng yú rú yuàn yǐ cháng kǎo shàng le lǐ xiǎng de dà xué
After years of effort, he finally had his wish fulfilled and was admitted to his ideal university.
-
- 持 to hold; to maintain
- 之 it; this (classical particle)
- 以 with; by means of
- 恒 constancy; permanence; perseverance
Example
只要持之以恒，你一定能成功。
zhǐ yào chí zhī yǐ héng nǐ yí dìng néng chéng gōng
As long as you persevere, you will definitely succeed.
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- 梦 dream; represents desires during sleep
- 寐 sleep; emphasizes the constant nature of the desire
- 以 by means of; grammatical connector linking dream/sleep to seeking
- 求 seek; pursue; represents the active pursuit of the desired object
Example
他终于得到了梦寐以求的录取通知书。
tā zhōng yú dé dào le mèng mèi yǐ qiú de lù qǔ tōng zhī shū
He finally received the acceptance letter he had been longing for.
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Example
他总是自以为是，从不听别人的意见。
tā zǒng shì zì yǐ wéi shì cóng bù tīng bié rén de yì jiàn
He is always self-righteous and never listens to others' opinions.
-
- 长 long (duration)
- 期 period, term
- 以 by, with (grammatical connector)
- 来 come, since (indicates time up to now)
Example
长期以来，他一直在研究这个问题。
cháng qī yǐ lái tā yì zhí zài yán jiū zhè ge wèn tí
For a long time, he has been researching this problem.
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Example
这个消息真是难以置信。
zhè ge xiāo xi zhēn shì nán yǐ zhì xìn
This news is really unbelievable.
外 wài — outside, external, beyond
Words with this character (50)
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Example
外边下雨了。
wài biān xià yǔ le
It's raining outside.
-
Example
我想去外国学习。
wǒ xiǎng qù wài guó xué xí
I want to go to a foreign country to study.
-
Example
外面下雨了。
wài miàn xià yǔ le
It's raining outside.
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Example
我今天不想做饭，点外卖吧。
wǒ jīn tiān bù xiǎng zuò fàn diǎn wài mài ba
I don't want to cook today, let's order food delivery.
-
Example
我在外地工作。
wǒ zài wài dì gōng zuò
I work in another city.
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Example
他会说三种外语。
tā huì shuō sān zhǒng wài yǔ
He can speak three foreign languages.
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Example
我会说英语，另外还会说中文。
wǒ huì shuō yīng yǔ lìng wài hái huì shuō zhōng wén
I can speak English, and in addition I can also speak Chinese.
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Example
我需要外出一下，很快回来。
wǒ xū yào wài chū yī xià hěn kuài huí lái
I need to go out for a bit, I'll be back soon.
-
Example
天气冷了，你应该穿外套。
tiān qì lěng le nǐ yīng gāi chuān wài tào
The weather is cold, you should wear a coat.
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- 此 this (refers to what was previously mentioned)
- 外 outside/beyond (indicates additional information)
Example
他会说英语，此外还会说法语。
tā huì shuō yīng yǔ cǐ wài hái huì shuō fǎ yǔ
He can speak English, and besides that, he can also speak French.
-
Example
中外学者参加了这次会议。
zhōng wài xué zhě cān jiā le zhè cì huì yì
Chinese and foreign scholars attended this conference.
-
Example
我很喜欢听外公讲故事。
wǒ hěn xǐ huan tīng wài gōng jiǎng gù shi
I really like listening to my maternal grandfather tell stories.
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Example
我的外婆住在乡下。
wǒ de wài pó zhù zài xiāng xià
My maternal grandmother lives in the countryside.
-
Example
这款手机的外形很时尚。
zhè kuǎn shǒu jī de wài xíng hěn shí shàng
This phone's appearance is very stylish.
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Example
这栋建筑的外观很漂亮。
zhè dòng jiàn zhù de wài guān hěn piào liang
The appearance of this building is very beautiful.
-
Example
公司需要外部支持。
gōng sī xū yào wài bù zhī chí
The company needs external support.
-
Example
这个结果很意外。
zhè ge jié guǒ hěn yì wài
This result is very unexpected.
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Example
我喜欢户外运动。
wǒ xǐ huan hù wài yùn dòng
I like outdoor sports.
-
Example
今天天气格外好。
jīn tiān tiān qì gé wài hǎo
The weather is especially good today.
-
Example
他在海外工作了十年。
tā zài hǎi wài gōng zuò le shí nián
He worked overseas for ten years.
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Example
这个规则没有例外。
zhè ge guī zé méi yǒu lì wài
This rule has no exceptions.
-
Example
我们要把房子内外都打扫干净。
wǒ men yào bǎ fáng zi nèi wài dōu dǎ sǎo gān jìng
We need to clean the house inside and outside.
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Example
外交是国家之间重要的沟通方式。
wài jiāo shì guó jiā zhī jiān zhòng yào de gōu tōng fāng shì
Diplomacy is an important way of communication between countries.
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Example
这是一种外来物种。
zhè shì yī zhǒng wài lái wù zhǒng
This is a foreign species.
-
Example
我外甥今年上大学了。
wǒ wài shēng jīn nián shàng dà xué le
My nephew is going to college this year.
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Example
外界对这件事的评价很高。
wài jiè duì zhè jiàn shì de píng jià hěn gāo
The outside world's evaluation of this matter is very high.
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Example
他是一名外科医生。
tā shì yì míng wài kē yī shēng
He is a surgeon.
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Example
不要只看外表，内在更重要。
bú yào zhǐ kàn wài biǎo nèi zài gèng zhòng yào
Don't just look at appearance, what's inside is more important.
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- 海 sea (metaphor for national boundaries)
- 内 inside (domestic/within the country)
- 外 outside (overseas/international)
Example
这个产品在海内外都很受欢迎。
zhè ge chǎn pǐn zài hǎi nèi wài dōu hěn shòu huān yíng
This product is very popular both at home and abroad.
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Example
我们周末去郊外野餐了。
wǒ men zhōu mò qù jiāo wài yě cān le
We went to the suburbs for a picnic on the weekend.
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Example
他喜欢在野外探险。
tā xǐ huan zài yě wài tàn xiǎn
He likes to explore in the wilderness.
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Example
今天的月亮分外明亮。
jīn tiān de yuè liang fèn wài míng liàng
The moon is exceptionally bright today.
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- 古 ancient, refers to ancient times
- 今 now, refers to modern/present times
- 中 China/domestic, refers to one's own country
- 外 foreign/abroad, refers to other countries
Example
古今中外，诚实都是一种美德。
gǔ jīn zhōng wài chéng shí dōu shì yì zhǒng měi dé
Throughout history and across the world, honesty has been a virtue.
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Example
他收到录取通知书，喜出望外。
tā shōu dào lù qǔ tōng zhī shū xǐ chū wàng wài
He received the admission letter and was overjoyed.
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Example
这家公司有很多境外客户。
zhè jiā gōng sī yǒu hěn duō jìng wài kè hù
This company has many overseas clients.
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Example
同学们给他起了一个外号。
tóng xué men gěi tā qǐ le yí gè wài hào
Classmates gave him a nickname.
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Example
她性格很外向，喜欢交朋友。
tā xìng gé hěn wài xiàng xǐ huan jiāo péng you
She has an outgoing personality and likes making friends.
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Example
外在美不如内在美重要。
wài zài měi bù rú nèi zài měi zhòng yào
External beauty is not as important as internal beauty.
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Example
我需要兑换一些外币。
wǒ xū yào duì huàn yī xiē wài bì
I need to exchange some foreign currency.
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Example
这个国家需要外援来发展经济。
zhè ge guó jiā xū yào wài yuán lái fā zhǎn jīng jì
This country needs foreign aid to develop its economy.
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Example
我相信外星人真的存在。
wǒ xiāng xìn wài xīng rén zhēn de cún zài
I believe aliens really exist.
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Example
中国的外汇储备很多。
Zhōng guó de wài huì chǔ bèi hěn duō
China has large foreign exchange reserves.
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Example
这所学校有很多外籍教师。
zhè suǒ xué xiào yǒu hěn duō wài jí jiào shī
This school has many foreign teachers.
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Example
我对电脑是外行，你能帮我吗？
wǒ duì diàn nǎo shì wài háng nǐ néng bāng wǒ ma
I'm a layman when it comes to computers, can you help me?
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Example
不要只看外貌，内在更重要。
bú yào zhǐ kàn wài mào nèi zài gèng zhòng yào
Don't just look at appearance; what's inside is more important.
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Example
他在外贸公司工作。
tā zài wài mào gōng sī gōng zuò
He works at a foreign trade company.
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Example
这家公司吸引了大量外资。
zhè jiā gōng sī xī yǐn le dà liàng wài zī
This company attracted a large amount of foreign capital.
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Example
我们是老朋友了，不要见外。
wǒ men shì lǎo péng you le bú yào jiàn wài
We're old friends, don't stand on ceremony.
-
Example
这个规定适用于所有人，儿童除外。
zhè ge guī dìng shì yòng yú suǒ yǒu rén ér tóng chú wài
This rule applies to everyone, children excluded.
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Example
这项服务不收取额外费用。
zhè xiàng fú wù bù shōu qǔ é wài fèi yòng
This service doesn't charge extra fees.
Structure & writing
以 is a component in 2 characters
以 is an atomic character — it does not decompose further.
Stroke order
外 is not used as a component in any other character.
consists of
夕 is a component in 14 characters
卜 is a component in 12 characters
Stroke order