Meaning of 此外
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- besides; in addition; moreover; furthermore
How to use 此外
此外 usually starts a new sentence or clause to add another point, and it sounds a bit formal, so you see it often in writing, speeches and reports. Example: 这个房子很大，此外，价格也不贵。(Zhège fángzi hěn dà, cǐwài, jiàgé yě bù guì.) This apartment is big. Besides, the price is not expensive.
此 (cǐ) means "this" and 外 (wài) means "outside." Something "outside of this" is something extra, so 此外 means "besides" or "in addition."
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 此外 with 以外 (yǐwài). 以外 follows a noun, as in 除了他以外 (chúle tā yǐwài, apart from him), while 此外 stands alone at the start of a clause to link two sentences. Also keep the third tone on 此 (cǐ) and do not say it like 次 (cì).
此外 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.
此 cǐ · this · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
外 wài · outside · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Related words
Words that share a character with 此外.
| 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 |
| 因此 | yīncǐ | thus; consequently; as a result |
| 另外 | lìngwài | additional; in addition |
| 意外 | yìwài | unexpected; accident |
| 外交 | wàijiāo | diplomacy; diplomatic |
Questions about 此外
What does 此外 mean?
此外 (cǐwài) means "besides; in addition; moreover; furthermore" and is used as a conjunction.
How do you write 此外?
此外 is made of 2 characters: 此 (6 strokes), 外 (5 strokes). That is 11 strokes in total.
Is 此外 an HSK word?
Yes. 此外 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 此外 and 另外?
Both can mean "in addition" at the start of a clause. 另外 (lìngwài) is more common in everyday speech and can also mean "another," as in 另外一个 (another one). 此外 sounds more formal and is mainly a linking word.
Can I use 此外 in casual conversation?
You can, but it may sound a little stiff. In casual talk, people more often say 还有 (háiyǒu) or 另外 (lìngwài) to add another point.