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外国
gaikoku
foreign country
私は外国に住んでいる友達がいます
I have a friend who lives in a foreign country.
general
A country other than one's own; a foreign nation.
彼は外国で働いています
He works in a foreign country.
外国の文化を学ぶのは面白い
Learning about foreign cultures is interesting.
Often used to refer to countries outside Japan, but can be used in any context where the speaker is referring to a country other than their own.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
'外国' is often used in contrast to '国内' (domestic) to distinguish between foreign and domestic contexts.
Gold Rule
Neutral Term
'外国' is a neutral term and does not imply any positive or negative connotations about the country being referred to.
Word Origin
Composed of '外' (outside) and '国' (country).
Usage Notes
In Japanese, '外国' is commonly used to refer to countries outside Japan, but it can be used in any context where the speaker is referring to a country other than their own. It is a neutral term and does not carry any negative connotations.
Word Breakdown
外
outside
prefix国
country
root和英辞典