外语 wàiyǔ foreign language
How to remember 外语: 外 outside + 语 language = foreign language.
Characters
How it is used
- Foreign language (as a subject you learn/speak) - 学外语 (xué wàiyǔ) study a foreign language; 说一门外语 (shuō yì mén wàiyǔ).
- Measure word 门 (mén).
- Contrast 外文 (wàiwén), which leans toward foreign writing/text (外文资料 foreign-language materials).
Example sentences
- 我喜欢学习外语。 Wǒ xǐhuān xuéxíwàiyǔ.I like to study foreign languages.
- 我正在学两门外语。 Wǒ zhèngzài xué liǎngmén wàiyǔ.I'm learning two foreign languages.
- 我学两种外语。 Wǒxué liǎngzhǒng wàiyǔ.I am learning two foreign languages.