How to say "lateral" in Japanese

• 外側そとがわCommon
  no-adjectiveReally means 'the outside' or 'exterior' of something. It only weakly corresponds to 'lateral' in the sense of 'outer'; use it when you mean external position, not sideways direction.
  水みずは外側そとがわから供給きょうきゅうされた。↗

  Water was supplied from outside.
• 側面そくめんJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe usual choice for 'lateral' meaning 'on the side': the side surface or flank of an object, building, or the body. Also covers 'profile' in the sense of a side view.
  鳥類ちょうるいの発声はっせいにおいて真しんに驚異的きょういてきな点てんは、鳴管めいかんの２つの側面そくめんが独立どくりつして動うごくことができるということである。↗

  The truly remarkable feature of sound production by birds is that the two sides of the syrinx can act independently.

English 'lateral' usually means 'on the side', which 側面 covers as a physical side or flank; 外側 means 'outside/outer' and only loosely matches 'lateral', so choose it for external rather than side senses.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 外側そとがわexterior
• 側面そくめんside
• ラテラルlateral
• 側面音そくめんおんlateral
• 横断的おうだんてきcross-sectional