格外 meaning in English
especially; particularly; even more than usual; extra; additional
Meaning of 格外
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- especially; particularly; even more than usual
- extra; additional
How to use 格外
格外 comes before adjectives or verbs to show that something is more than usual, often because of a special situation. It is common in both speech and writing. Example: 今天的月亮格外圆。(Jīntiān de yuèliang géwài yuán.) The moon is especially round tonight.
格 (gé) can mean a pattern or standard, and 外 (wài) means outside. Something 格外 goes outside the usual pattern, so it is especially or unusually so.
Common mistake: Learners often use 格外 like 非常 (fēicháng) for any strong degree, but 格外 suggests a contrast with normal times, as in 雨后空气格外新鲜 (the air is especially fresh after rain). Also keep the tone of 格 as second tone gé, not gè like 个.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
格 gé · square · 10 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
外 wài · outside · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Related words
Words that share a character with 格外.
| 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 |
| 另外 | lìngwài | additional; in addition |
| 意外 | yìwài | unexpected; accident |
| 资格 | zīgé | qualifications; seniority |
| 价格 | jiàgé | price |
Questions about 格外
What does 格外 mean?
格外 (géwài) means "especially; particularly; even more than usual; extra; additional" and is used as a adverb.
How do you write 格外?
格外 is made of 2 characters: 格 (10 strokes), 外 (5 strokes). That is 15 strokes in total.
Is 格外 an HSK word?
Yes. 格外 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 格外 and 特别?
Both can mean especially, and they often swap in sentences like 格外高兴 or 特别高兴. 特别 is more casual and can also be an adjective meaning special, as in 特别的礼物, while 格外 is only an adverb.
Can 格外 mean extra or additional?
Yes, in some phrases it means beyond what is normal, as in 格外照顾 (to give extra care). In this sense it still works as an adverb before a verb.