外国
gaikokuA 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.