外语

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wài yǔ
Meaning: foreign language
Example
她正在学习一门外语。
wàiyǔ

📚 How to Understand

外语 (wài yǔ) meaning in English
wài

外语 refers to a language other than one's native language. It is commonly used in educational contexts and in discussions about language learning, distinguishing it from the concept of 'native language' or 'mother tongue.'

The character 外 (wài) means 'outside' or 'foreign,' while 语 (yǔ) means 'language.' Together, they literally translate to 'foreign language,' emphasizing the idea of a language that is not one's own.

外语 is widely used in schools, universities, and language programs. In China, studying foreign languages like English, Japanese, or Korean is common. The term is also used in professional settings, such as international business or translation work, where knowledge of another language is essential.

💬 Example Sentences

她正在学习一门外语。
wàiyǔ
She is learning a foreign language.
他的专业是外语教育。
wàiyǔ
His major is foreign language education.

🔍 Character Breakdown