Meaning and Usage
"外国" (がいこく) means "foreign country" and is commonly used to refer to any country other than one's own. It is a basic noun often encountered in daily conversation, news, and travel contexts.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "外国" when talking about living abroad, cultural differences, or international visitors. For example, "外国に住む" means "to live in a foreign country," and "外国の文化" means "foreign culture."
Collocations and Patterns
- 外国に行く: to go to a foreign country (used when traveling or moving abroad)
- 外国人: foreigner (a person from a foreign country)
- 外国語: foreign language
- 外国からの〜: from a foreign country (used to describe origin)
Register and Nuance
"外国" is neutral and appropriate in both formal and informal situations. It is a straightforward term without any negative or positive connotations.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "外国" with "海外" (かいがい), which also means "overseas" or "foreign countries." "外国" emphasizes the country itself, while "海外" often refers to overseas areas in a broader sense, including territories or regions beyond the sea. Use "外国" when specifically talking about foreign countries.