outside
N5- Onyomi
- ガイ
- Kunyomi
- そと
- Stroke count
- 5
- JLPT
- N5
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 外 down and you get 夕 (evening) — the thin moon that shows early in the evening, and beside it 卜 (divining / mark) — a mark made to read what it means. Picture the moon in a night sky, put 外 inside it, and let that scene stand for "outside" — outside. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 5
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は5画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 5 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
郊外
kougai
suburbs
外出
gaishutsu
going out
意外
igai
unexpected
意外な
igaina
attributive: unexpected (before a noun)
外出した
gaishutsushita
plain past: did going out
外出する
gaishutsusuru
to do going out
Example sentences (2)
外は寒いです。
そと は さむい です。
soto wa samui desu.
It is cold outside.
昼ご飯は外で食べましょう。
ひるごはん は そと で たべましょう。
hirugohan wa soto de tabemashou.
Let us eat lunch outside.