Meaning and Usage
"外出" (wàichū) means "to go out" or "going outside," often used to describe leaving one's home or workplace temporarily. It is a common term in daily conversation and formal contexts alike.
Common Contexts
People use "外出" when talking about leaving for errands, meetings, or social activities. It often implies a temporary absence rather than permanent relocation.
Collocations and Patterns
- 外出开会 (wàichū kāihuì): go out for a meeting
- 外出旅行 (wàichū lǚxíng): go out traveling
- 外出时 (wàichū shí): when going out
Nuances
Using "外出" emphasizes the act of leaving a familiar indoor space. It is more formal than simply saying "出去" (go out) and is often used in written notices or polite speech.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse "外出" with "出去"; the latter is more general and can mean simply "go out" without the nuance of leaving for a purpose or temporarily. "外出" often implies a planned or purposeful outing.