Quick answer
外 is the kanji for "Outside". Its reading is そと (soto). This page includes example sentences and a stroke-order diagram.
Meaning
Outside
Also : Foreign · Other · Exterior
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
5 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
A moon crescent with a divining rod below — when you step outside at night the crescent moon is visible. The elements show outside conditions.
そと (soto) sounds like "sotto" — keeping something sotto voce (whispered) outside, away from the inside.
Example Sentences
外は寒いです。
そとはさむいです。
It's cold outside.
外国人の友達がいます。
がいこくじんのともだちがいます。
I have a foreign friend.
Vocabulary using 外
Grammar to study at this level
Last updated Jun 18, 2026
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