郊外 jiāowài outskirts
How to remember 郊外: 郊 suburbs + 外 outside = outskirts.
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How it is used
- The outskirts, countryside just outside the city - 到郊外散步 (dào jiāowài sànbù) to take a walk in the outskirts.
- Emphasizes the open area beyond the city; close to 郊区 (jiāoqū) but 郊外 stresses "out beyond town" as a place to go.
- Contrast 市区 (shìqū, downtown).