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中外 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
中外zhōngwàiSino-foreignHSK 5, unknown, 9 strokes, rank #32828, Hard
中外zhōngwàiChinese-foreignHSK 5, unknown, 9 strokes, rank #32828, Hard
中外zhōngwàihome and abroadHSK 5, unknown, 9 strokes, rank #32828, Hard
zhōngwài(zhong1wai4) T1
  1. 1Sino-foreign
  2. 2Chinese-foreign
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March 24, 2026

中外zhōngwài(zhong1wai4)

中外 (zhong1 wai4) refers to both China and foreign countries, often used in contexts discussing international relations, cultural exchanges, or comparisons between Chinese and non-Chinese entities. It highlights the relationship or distinction between domestic and international aspects, such as in trade, culture, or education.

Strokes9Frequency#32828DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

The term 中外 is often used in discussions about the Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to enhance trade and connectivity between China and other countries, reflecting China's growing role in global affairs.

Memory Tip

Imagine a yin-yang symbol where one side represents 中 (zhong - middle, China) and the other side represents 外 (wai - outside, foreign). This visual can help you remember that 中外 symbolizes the connection between China and the rest of the world, with 'zhong' sounding like 'zone' and 'wai' like 'way' — the zone in the middle linking the Chinese way with the foreign way.

Meanings of 中外

zhōngwài(zhong1wai4)
1Sino-foreign
2Chinese-foreign
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About 中外

中外Simplified
9Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 中外

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Podcast: 中外

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AI Study Notes for 中外

Quick Contrast

外中 (wài zhōng) - use 中外 when emphasizing the relationship between China and foreign countries, not the reverse.

Usage Notes

This term is often used in formal contexts, such as academic discussions or international business. A common collocation is '中外合作' (zhong1 wai4 he2 zuo4), meaning Sino-foreign cooperation. Be cautious with tone; mispronouncing '中' or '外' can lead to confusion.

HSK Study Tips

While 中外 is not a specific HSK vocabulary word, it connects to HSK Level 3 and 4 vocabulary regarding countries and culture. Students should focus on understanding how to use it in context, especially in discussions about global topics.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 中外 with just 国外 (guo2 wai4), which means 'foreign' alone. Remember that 中外 encompasses both China and foreign countries, not just one side of the equation.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 中外

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Component Characters

中zhōngmiddle
HSK 34 strokes丨
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外wàioutside
HSK 15 strokes夕
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How to say Sino-foreign in Chinese

“Sino-foreign” in Chinese is中外zhōngwài

中外 (zhong1 wai4) refers to both China and foreign countries, often used in contexts discussing international relations, cultural exchanges, or comparisons between Chinese and non-Chinese entities. It highlights the relationship or distinction between domestic and international aspects, such as in trade, culture, or education.

When to use 中外

This term is often used in formal contexts, such as academic discussions or international business. A common collocation is '中外合作' (zhong1 wai4 he2 zuo4), meaning Sino-foreign cooperation. Be cautious with tone; mispronouncing '中' or '外' can lead to confusion.

中外 or something close to it

外中 (wài zhōng) - use 中外 when emphasizing the relationship between China and foreign countries, not the reverse.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes confuse 中外 with just 国外 (guo2 wai4), which means 'foreign' alone. Remember that 中外 encompasses both China and foreign countries, not just one side of the equation.

Write 中外

中
外

Practice writing 中外 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 中外

中外 means Sino-foreign, referring to both China and foreign countries.

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