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外界 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
外界wàijièthe outside worldHSK 6, n, rank #7111, Hard
外界wàijièexternalHSK 6, n, rank #7111, Hard
wàijiè(wai4jie4) T4
  1. 1the outside world
  2. 2external
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March 24, 2026
外界wàijiè(wai4jie4)

外界 (wài jiè) refers to the external world or the environment outside oneself. It is commonly used in contexts discussing society, nature, or any situation that emphasizes the distinction between inner feelings or thoughts and external circumstances.

Frequency#7111DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 外界 can relate to the balance between individualism and collectivism, often emphasizing the importance of community and societal influences on personal identity.

Memory Tip

Imagine an open door leading to the outside world, where '外' (wài) represents 'outside' and '界' (jiè) symbolizes a boundary or realm. Visualize stepping through that door to explore everything outside your personal space, reinforcing both the meaning and the pronunciation.

Meanings of 外界

wàijiè(wai4jie4)
1the outside world
2external
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 外界

外界Simplified
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7111Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 外界

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Podcast: 外界

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AI Study Notes for 外界

Quick Contrast

外部 (wàibù) refers specifically to the outside or external part of something, while 外界 (wàijiè) emphasizes the broader concept of the external world or environment.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine an open door leading to the outside world, where '外' (wài) represents 'outside' and '界' (jiè) symbolizes a boundary or realm. Visualize stepping through that door to explore everything outside your personal space, reinforcing both the meaning and the pronunciation.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 外界 with 内心 (nèi xīn), which means 'inner feelings.' Be cautious with the tone; the fourth tone in '外' and '界' is crucial. Common collocations include '外界环境' (external environment) and '外界影响' (external influence).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 外界 connects with other complex terms related to society and environment. Focus on understanding contexts where it contrasts with 内部 (nèi bù, internal) or 个人 (gè rén, personal), which may enhance comprehension.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 外界 can relate to the balance between individualism and collectivism, often emphasizing the importance of community and societal influences on personal identity.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 外界 with other similar words, such as 外部, which suggests a more physical externality rather than an experiential one. For example, saying '我想了解外部' (I want to understand the external) when '外界' is more appropriate for discussions involving societal influences.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 外界

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Component Characters

wàioutside
HSK 15 strokes
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jièboundary
HSK 79 strokes
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Write 外界

Practice writing 外界 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 外界

外界 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

他发表了公开声明,以澄清____的误解。

He issued a public statement to clarify the outside world's misunderstandings.

Example Sentences for 外界 (1)

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1
我自行与外界隔绝,仅以书和杂志为伴。

wǒ zì háng yǔ wài jiè gé jué, , jǐn yǐ shū hé zá zhì wéi。

I locked myself away with books and magazines.

Cultural Notes for 外界

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of 外界 can relate to the balance between individualism and collectivism, often emphasizing the importance of community and societal influences on personal identity.

Frequently Asked Questions about 外界

You can say, '在外界的影响下,我的观点改变了。' (Under the influence of the outside world, my views have changed.)