Meaning
外人 refers to people outside one's own group, family, or circle. It can mean a stranger, someone not part of the family, or someone from outside a community. The word carries a sense of social distance and is often used to distinguish between insiders (自己人) and those who don't belong to one's inner circle.
Usage
外人 is commonly used in family contexts to refer to non-family members, and in social contexts to distinguish between in-group and out-group members. It can sound somewhat exclusive or distancing. When referring to foreigners specifically, 外国人 is more precise and common. The phrase 不把你当外人 (not treating you as an outsider) is a warm expression meaning someone is welcomed as part of the inner circle.
Examples
- 01我们是一家人，不要把我当外人。, .We're family, don't treat me like an outsider.
- 02这是家里的事，不好对外人说。, .This is a family matter, it's not good to tell outsiders.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个外人
Common collocations
- 不是外人not an outsider, one of us
- 当外人to treat as an outsider
- 把...当外人...to treat someone as an outsider
- 外人面前in front of outsiders
Antonyms
Origin
Compound of 外 (outside) and 人 (person), literally meaning 'outside person.' The concept reflects traditional Chinese culture's emphasis on in-group versus out-group distinctions.