How to say "outside" in Japanese

• 外そとJLPT N5approx.Common
  nounThe basic, all-purpose word for the area outside as opposed to inside — where you go when you leave a building, or where children play. Choose it for the plain 'outside' of everyday speech.
  あるものの意味いみがわかるためには、そのものの外そとに出でて、離はなれたところからそれを経験けいけんすることができなければならない。↗

  You have to be outside something, able to experience it from a distance, before it makes sense.
• 外部がいぶJLPT N2approx.Common
  no-adjectiveRefers to the outside of a building or similar structure, or the exterior of a thing, as opposed to its interior — the outer part of something rather than the open space you step into.
• 外側そとがわCommon
  no-adjectivePoints to the outer side of something — the side away from the middle or inside, such as the outer edge of an object or the outside of a group. Think 'outer side,' not the outdoors.
  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.
• 屋外おくがいJLPT N2approx.Common
  no-adjectiveMeans outdoors — outside as opposed to indoors. It suits talk of things located or happening outside a building rather than inside, such as outdoor events, facilities, or activities.
  彼かれらは屋外おくがいスポーツに熱心ねっしんである。↗

  They are keen on outdoor sports.
• 野外やがいJLPT N1approx.Common
  no-adjectiveEmphasizes the open air — being outside in open, natural surroundings away from buildings, as with open-air activities. It is closer to 'in the open air' or 'out in the fields' than to plain 'outside.'
  天気てんきが良よかったので、その野外やがいコンサートは大成功だいせいこうだった。↗

  Thanks to the good weather, the outdoor concert was a success.

Use 外 for the general 'outside' as opposed to inside; 外部 for the outside of a building or structure; 外側 for the outer side of something; 屋外 and 野外 for being outdoors, with 野外 suggesting the open air.

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

• 外そとoutside
• 外部がいぶoutside (e.g. of a building)
• 外側そとがわexterior
• 屋外おくがいoutdoors
• 野外やがいoutdoors
• 外的がいてきexternal
• ほかanother place
• 部外ぶがいoutside (an organization, department, etc.)
• 圏外けんがいoutside (a region, area, etc.)
• うわべexterior
• 外面がいめんouter surface
• 戸外こがいopen air
• 室外しつがいoutside (the room, building)
• アウトサイドoutside
• 表外ひょうがいoutside (a table, list, etc.)
• おんもoutside
• オープンエアopen air
• よそoutside (one's family or group)
• 以外いがいoutside (a boundary, scope, etc.)
• 表面ひょうめんoutside
• ＯＵＴアウトouter
• 表おもてoutside