外|そとsoto[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounoutside; exterior
   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.
2. nounthe open (air)
3. nounother place; somewhere else; outside one's group (family, company, etc.)
   うちはうち、そとはそと。↗

   Our house, our rules.

   いつもと変かえてたまに外そとで食事しょくじしよう。↗

   Let's occasionally change where we go to eat out.

• Synonym外側そとがわNeutralRefers to the outward-facing side of an object, as in 「箱の外側」, stressing the contrast with the inner side; 「外」 also covers the outdoors and being outside a group.
• Synonym外部がいぶNeutralThe outside, or beyond an organization, as in 「外部の人」 and 「外部委託」; leans formal.
• Synonym外面がいめんNeutralThe outer surface or appearance of a thing; as 「外づら」, one's manner toward outsiders; 「外」 is about physical space.
• SynonymアウトサイドNeutralA loanword used mostly in sports for the outer side or outer corner; rare in everyday speech, where 「外」 or 「外側」 is normal.
• Related表面ひょうめんNeutralThe surface of an object or its outward appearance, as in 「表面に傷」; centers on the surface layer rather than the outside.
• Related表おもてNeutralThe front or outer side, as in 「表で遊ぶ」, also public settings; 「外」 puts more emphasis on being outside a space.
• Related外装がいそうNeutralExterior decoration or packaging for buildings and products, as in 「外装工事」; much more specific than 「外」.
• Relatedオモテ面おもてめんCasualColloquial: the front side of paper, coins and the like, also main game levels; different from 「外」's senses of outside and outdoors.
• Related上っ面うわっつらCasualColloquial for the surface or outward appearance, usually with a negative nuance, as in 「上っ面だけの付き合い」.
• AntonymうちNeutralThe antonym of 「外」: inside, the interior, also one's own home or group, as in 「内と外」.
• Antonym中なかNeutralThe same word, also written 「中」; 「内と外」 also contrasts one's own people with outsiders, 「外」 meaning outside the home or circle.

For outside in general, 「外」 is the default. Use 「外側」 for the outer side of an object, 「外部」 for outside an organization, 「表面」 for the surface layer, and 「外装」 for a building's or product's exterior; outdoors can also be 「表」. 「オモテ面」 and 「上っ面」 are colloquial, and 「内」 is the antonym.

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

1. （そと）閉とじた空間くうかんにおける位置いちで、閉とじた空間くうかんに含ふくまれない側がわ。
2. 外国がいこく、異国いこくの意味いみを持もつ熟語じゅくごを作つくる。
3. 母方ははかた、女系じょけいの意味いみを持もつ熟語じゅくごを作つくる。