外人

wàirén

noun #10,029

Meanings

1 outsider; stranger
2 foreigner; someone outside one's group

Characters

outside; external

Examples

这是家里的事，不要告诉外人。

Zhè shì jiā lǐ de shì, bù yào gàosù wàirén.

This is a family matter, don't tell outsiders.

你不是外人，不用客气。

Nǐ bù shì wàirén, bù yòng kèqi.

You're not an outsider, no need to be polite.

外人很难理解他们的关系。

Wàirén hěn nán lǐjiě tāmen de guānxì.

Outsiders can hardly understand their relationship.

Tips

culture

In Chinese culture, the inside/outside distinction (内/外) is important. Saying 你不是外人 ('you're not an outsider') is a warm way to include someone as part of your inner circle.

Stroke Order

外 wài

人 rén