noun
The physical space outside a building, room, or enclosed area. Often used with location particles に/で.
外は雨が降っている。
It's raining outside.
子供たちが外で遊んでいる。
The children are playing outside.
noun
the open air; outdoors
Emphasizes being out in the open, away from indoor confinement. Common in phrases like 外の空気 (fresh air).
たまには外の空気を吸いに行こう。
Let's go get some fresh air outside for a change.
noun
outside one's group; elsewhere; other place
Refers to people or places outside one's own family, company, or social circle. Antonym of うち (in-group).
Antonyms: うち
会社の外の人と話す機会が少ない。
I have few opportunities to talk with people outside the company.
外で何かあったの？
Did something happen elsewhere?
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially when the spatial sense is clear.
The reading そと is native Japanese. The kanji 外 broadly means 'outside' and is used in many compounds. The obsolete reading と appears in old texts but is not used in modern Japanese.