Translation guide
The concept of a foreign country in Japanese is most commonly expressed with 外国 (gaikoku) or 海外 (kaigai), but the choice depends on context, nuance, and formality. This guide covers the main ways to refer to foreign countries, from everyday speech to formal writing.
The most common, neutral way to say 'foreign country' in everyday conversation and writing.
The standard word for 'foreign country'. Used in most contexts, from casual to formal. Can be combined with other words like 外国人 (gaikokujin, foreigner) or 外国語 (gaikokugo, foreign language).
外国に行ってみたい。
I want to go to a foreign country.
外国の文化に興味があります。
I'm interested in foreign cultures.
Literally 'overseas', but used broadly for 'foreign countries', especially when emphasizing travel, living abroad, or international matters. Slightly more formal than 外国 and often used in news or business contexts.
海外旅行が好きです。
I like traveling abroad.
海外の市場に進出する。
Expand into overseas markets.
A literary or poetic term for 'foreign land', often evoking a sense of exoticism or distance. Not used in everyday conversation.
異国の地を踏む。
Set foot in a foreign land.
When referring to a particular foreign country, Japanese simply uses the country's name, often with no equivalent to 'foreign'.
In Japanese, you don't need to say 'foreign country' if you name the country. Just say the country name. Adding 外国 would be redundant.
アメリカに行ったことがありますか？
Have you ever been to a foreign country? (literally: Have you been to America?)
フランスのワインは美味しい。
Wine from foreign countries is delicious. (literally: French wine is delicious.)
Emphasizing the contrast between Japan and other nations, often in formal or comparative contexts.
Still the most common choice, but often paired with 日本 (Nihon, Japan) for contrast.
日本と外国の違いについて話す。
Talk about differences between Japan and foreign countries.
A formal term meaning 'various foreign countries' or 'other nations'. Common in news, politics, and academic writing.
Literally 'other countries', used in formal or comparative contexts. Slightly stiff.
Describing something as 'foreign' or 'from abroad'.
The standard way to say 'foreign [something]'. 外国の functions as an adjective.
外国の映画が好きです。
I like foreign movies.
外国の友達がたくさんいます。
I have many foreign friends.
Similar to 外国の, but often implies 'overseas' or 'international'. Common in business and travel contexts.
海外の取引先と会議をする。
Have a meeting with an overseas client.
外国 (gaikoku) is the general word for 'foreign country' and can be used in almost any context. 海外 (kaigai) literally means 'overseas' and is preferred when emphasizing the physical distance across the sea, or in contexts like travel, study abroad, and international business. In many cases they are interchangeable, but 海外 sounds slightly more formal and is common in news reports. For example, 外国旅行 and 海外旅行 both mean 'trip abroad', but 海外旅行 is more frequent.
English often uses 'foreign' as an adjective where Japanese uses a compound noun or a different structure. For example, 'foreign language' is 外国語 (gaikokugo), not 外国の言語. 'Foreigner' is 外国人 (gaikokujin). Learn these common compounds rather than translating word-for-word.
外国に行ったことがありません。
I've never been to a foreign country.
彼女は外資系の会社で働いています。
She works for a foreign company.
外資系 (gaishikei) means 'foreign-affiliated' or 'foreign capital', a common way to say 'foreign company' in business contexts.
諸外国との関係を強化する。
Strengthen relations with foreign countries.
Let's look at examples from other countries.