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分外 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
分外fènwàiexceptionallyHSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, rank #38613, Very Hard
分外fènwàinot one's responsibility or jobHSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, rank #38613, Very Hard
fènwài(fen4wai4) T4
  1. 1exceptionally
  2. 2not one's responsibility or job
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March 24, 2026

分外fènwài(fen4wai4)

分外 (fēnwài) means 'exceptionally' or 'beyond what is usual'. It often describes something that stands out due to its extraordinary nature or is outside of one's usual responsibilities. In contexts, it can imply that someone is taking on something that is not typically their duty.

Strokes9Frequency#38613DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of personal responsibility can be nuanced. 分外 reflects the expectation that one may occasionally go beyond their assigned roles to help others, which is often seen as virtuous.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person stepping outside (分) their usual duties (外) to help others. Visualize a large, bright arrow pointing outwards, symbolizing how '分外' points to things that are exceptional or beyond the norm.

Meanings of 分外

fènwài(fen4wai4)
1exceptionally
2not one's responsibility or job
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About 分外

分外Simplified
9Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5BCT✓CEFRC2

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Podcast: 分外

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AI Study Notes for 分外

Quick Contrast

分外 (fènwài) vs 特别 (tèbié) — use 分外 to emphasize something that is beyond the usual scope or responsibility, while 特别 focuses on something being special or distinct without the implication of exceeding normal limits.

Usage Notes

When using 分外, ensure it conveys the sense of 'exceptionally' rather than just 'outside of'. It is more common in informal contexts. Be cautious with tone, as the emphasis can change the nuance.

HSK Study Tips

分外 is not part of the HSK vocabulary but is useful for learners at HSK 4 and above due to its abstract meaning. Students should focus on recognizing its usage in idiomatic expressions and in conjunction with adjectives.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 分外 by confusing it with '外' alone, resulting in incorrect phrases like '我分外喜欢这个' (I exceptionally like this) instead of '我特别喜欢这个' (I especially like this). Be mindful of the context in which you use it.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 分外

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Component Characters

分fēnto divide
HSK 14 strokes刀
View full entry
外wàioutside
HSK 15 strokes夕
View full entry

How to say exceptionally in Chinese

“exceptionally” in Chinese is分外fènwài

分外 (fēnwài) means 'exceptionally' or 'beyond what is usual'. It often describes something that stands out due to its extraordinary nature or is outside of one's usual responsibilities. In contexts, it can imply that someone is taking on something that is not typically their duty.

When to use 分外

When using 分外, ensure it conveys the sense of 'exceptionally' rather than just 'outside of'. It is more common in informal contexts. Be cautious with tone, as the emphasis can change the nuance.

分外 or something close to it

分外 (fènwài) vs 特别 (tèbié) — use 分外 to emphasize something that is beyond the usual scope or responsibility, while 特别 focuses on something being special or distinct without the implication of exceeding normal limits.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 分外 by confusing it with '外' alone, resulting in incorrect phrases like '我分外喜欢这个' (I exceptionally like this) instead of '我特别喜欢这个' (I especially like this). Be mindful of the context in which you use it.

Write 分外

分
外

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

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Frequently Asked Questions about 分外

While it is primarily used in informal contexts, it can also appear in formal writing to describe exceptional cases.

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