外側|そとがわsotogawa[0]heiban (flat)

1. no-adjectiveexterior; outside; outer; external; lateral
   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.

• Synonym外面がいめんWrittenWritten/formal prose. The outer surface of an object; read 「そとづら」, it also means one's outward manner toward others. 「外側」 is simply the outer side.
• Synonym外部がいぶNeutralThe outside or the outside world, including outside a group or company, as in 「外部の人」. 「外側」 leans toward the concrete outer side.
• Synonym外そとNeutralRead 「よそ」: another place or other people, as in 「余所の人」. 「外側」 is the outside in space.
• Synonym表面ひょうめんNeutralRead 「おもてめん」: the front side of paper, coins and the like. 「外側」 is the outer side and makes no front/back distinction.
• Related表層ひょうそうWrittenWritten/formal prose. A surface layer, e.g. of rock strata or seawater. 「外側」 does not stress layers.
• RelatedアウトサイドNeutralA loanword used mostly in sports, e.g. the outside corner in tennis or baseball. In everyday speech say 「外側」.
• Antonym内側うちがわNeutralThe inside or inner side, the direct opposite of 「外側」.

Use 「外側」 for the outer side of an object or place. Use 「外部」 for outside an organization or the outside world, 「表層」 for a surface layer, 「オモテ面」 for the front of paper or a coin, and 「内側」 for the inside.

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

1. そとがわ。