Meaning

Primary

Foreign Country

Alternatives

Other Countries, Overseas

Word Type

noun, の adjective

Explanation

An outside country is one outside of your own country. That is a foreign country, other countries, or overseas.

Reading

がいこく
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you'll know how to read this as well.

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 外国に行く

    to go to a foreign country

    外国にいる

    to be in a foreign country

    外国にある

    to be in a foreign country

Context Sentences

まだ外国に行ったことがありません。

I have never been to a foreign country yet.

日本生まれの母にとって、「ハグ」は外国の文化です。

For my Japanese-born mother, “hugging” is a foreign culture.

ホノルルは、あまり外国っていう気がしません。

Honolulu doesn't feel like a foreign country.

Kanji Composition