Meaning of 另外
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- additional
- in addition
- besides
- separate
- other
- moreover
- furthermore
How to use 另外
另外 works three ways. It can start a sentence to add a point ("also, moreover"), it can sit before a verb to mean "separately, additionally", and it can modify a noun to mean "the other". Example: 另外，我明天没有时间。(Lìngwài, wǒ míngtiān méiyǒu shíjiān.) Besides, I don't have time tomorrow.
另 (lìng) means another or separate, and 外 (wài) means outside, the same 外 you see in 外国 (wàiguó) and 外边 (wàibian). Something that is "another" and "outside" what you already have is additional, so 另外 means besides or other.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 另外 with 以外 (yǐwài). 以外 means "apart from" and comes after a noun, as in 除了他以外 (chúle tā yǐwài). 另外 introduces an extra point or thing. Also remember that both syllables are fourth tone: lìngwài.
另外 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
另 lìng · other · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
外 wài · outside · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Related words
Words that share a character with 另外.
| 外国 | wàiguó | foreign country |
| 国外 | guó wài | abroad; external (affairs) |
| 外边 | wàibian | outside; outer surface |
| 外语 | wàiyǔ | foreign language |
| 以外 | yǐwài | apart from; other than |
| 外卖 | wàimài | (of a restaurant) to provide a takeout or home delivery meal; takeout (business) |
| 外地 | wàidì | parts of the country other than where one is |
| 外面 | wàimiàn | outside (also pr. [wai4 mian5] for this sense); surface |
| 意外 | yìwài | unexpected; accident |
| 另一方面 | lìng yīfāngmiàn | on the other hand; another aspect |
| 外交 | wàijiāo | diplomacy; diplomatic |
| 外文 | wàiwén | foreign language (written) |
Questions about 另外
What does 另外 mean?
另外 (lìngwài) means "additional; in addition" and is used as a pronoun, adverb and conjunction.
How do you write 另外?
另外 is made of 2 characters: 另 (5 strokes), 外 (5 strokes). That is 10 strokes in total.
Is 另外 an HSK word?
Yes. 另外 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How do I use 另外 before a noun, like "the other person"?
Put 另外 before a number and measure word, or directly before the noun: 另外一个人 (lìngwài yí ge rén) means "the other person" or "another person". When 另外 comes before a noun, you can often add 的: 另外的问题 (lìngwài de wèntí), other questions.
What is the difference between 另外 and 还 (hái) for "also"?
还 goes inside a sentence before the verb: 我还想喝茶 (wǒ hái xiǎng hē chá), I also want tea. 另外 often starts a new sentence to add a separate point. The two can appear together, as in 另外，我还要说一件事 (lìngwài, wǒ hái yào shuō yí jiàn shì), besides, I have one more thing to say.