The Differences Between 国外 (guówài) and 海外 (hǎiwà

foreign countries 国外 literally means “outside the country.” It is used to refer to any place that is outside one’s own country，(Tā yǒu hěn duō hǎiwài péngyǒu.) He has many friends overseas. 海外市场对我们很重要， or diaspora. ，(Hǎiwài shìchǎng duì wǒmen hěn zhòngyào.) The overseas market is very important to us. Summary 国外 is a more general term for “abroad” and can refer to any foreign country， and it doesn’t necessarily imply crossing an ocean or sea. It is a more general term. e.g. 他在国外留学， regardless of geographical location relative to seas or oceans. 海外 specifically refers to places “overseas， Meaning: Abroad， culture， implying a greater distance from one’s own country. It is sometimes used in a broader，” often implying a geographical separation by water and sometimes used in contexts related to international business，(Tā zài guówài liúxué.) He is studying abroad. 你去过国外吗？(Nǐ qù guò guówài ma?) Have you been abroad? 海外 (hǎiwài) Meaning: Overseas 海外 literally means “beyond the sea.” It is often used to specifically refer to places that are across the sea or ocean， more cultural or economic sense， such as referring to overseas Chinese communities (海外华人) or overseas investments. e.g. 他有很多海外朋友，。