Chinese Grammar Bank
HOW TO USE 另外
Using 另外 (lìngwài) is flexible as it can function as a pronoun, a noun and a conjunction so its meaning might change depending what it is doing in the sentence.
Let this not throw you off.
HOW TO USE 另外 AS A PRONOUN
另外 lìngwài
When placed before nouns or noun phrases, 另外 can be used as a pronoun to mean “the other” or “another”.
另 alone can also be used and is often followed by 一个 i.e. 另一个 (lìngyī ge) as part of a phrase, especially if the noun of the sentence is singular.
Otherwise, other measure words can be added to 另一 to mean “the other” or “another”.
If there is no number before the noun, you can say 另外的 (lìngwài de) .
PATTERN
另外 + Number + Measure Word + Noun
你跟我一起去，另外两个人呆在家里。
You go with me, the other two stay at home.View More Phrases
| CHINESE | PINYIN | ENGLISH |
|---|---|---|
| 我认识他，另外三个人我不认识。 | wǒ rènshí tā, lìngwài sān gèrén wǒ bù rènshí. | I know him, I don’t know the other three. |
| 你不喜欢这件衣服，随时都可以换另外一件。 | nǐ bù xǐhuān zhè jiàn yīfú, suíshí dōu kěyǐ huàn lìngwài yī jiàn. | If you don’t like the dress, you can change it to another one at any time. |
| 他在另外的房间等着。 | tā zài lìngwài de fángjiān děngzhe. | He is waiting in another room. |
| 看起来没有另外的选择。 | kàn qǐlái méiyǒu lìngwài de xuǎnzé. | Looks like there’s no other option. |
| 那是另一回事。 | nà shì lìng yī huí shì. | That’s another matter. |
| 我的丈夫是另一种类型的人。 | wǒ de zhàngfū shì lìng yī zhǒng lèixíng de rén. | My husband is a different sort of person. |
| 他还有另一个手机。 | tā hái yǒu lìng yīgè shǒujī. | He has another phone. |
HOW TO USE 另外 AS AN ADVERB
When placed before a verb or verb phrase, 另外 functions as an adverb in order to mean “another” or “other”.
Here, 另外 or 另 can be used. You can add 还/再/又 (hái/zài/yòu) to 另外 or 另 before the verb.
Important to note:
– 还/再/又 can be added before or after 另外. (还/再/又 + 另外 + verb) or (另外 + 还/再/又 + verb)
– 还/再/又 can only be added before 另. (还/再/又 + 另 + verb)
– 另 is only used with monosyllabic verbs, while 另外 can be used with all verbs.
PATTERN
另外/另 + Verb/Verb Phrase
明天我有事，我们另外再找时间谈，好吗？
I have something to do tomorrow, is it okay if we find another time to talk?View More Phrases
| CHINESE | PINYIN | ENGLISH |
|---|---|---|
| 我们另外找时间再谈吧。 | wǒmen lìngwài zhǎo shíjiān zài tán ba. | Let’s talk about it another time. |
| 你能不能另外给我买一个呢？ | nǐ néng bùnéng lìngwài gěi wǒ mǎi yīgè ne? | Can you buy me another one? |
| 他为什么不出去再另外找一个工作？ | tā wèishéme bù chūqù zài lìngwài zhǎo yīgè gōngzuò? | Why doesn’t he go out and look for another job? |
| 他除了做老师给的作业，他还另外学习几个新汉字。 | tā chúle zuò lǎoshī gěi de zuòyè, tā hái lìngwài xuéxí jǐ gè xīn hànzì. | In addition to learning the homework given by the teacher, he also learned a few (other) new Chinese characters. |
| 这样不行，我们另想办法把。 | zhèyàng bùxíng, wǒmen lìng xiǎng bànfǎ bǎ. | This won’t work, let’s think of another way. |
USING 另外 TO MEAN “IN ADDITION” OR “BESIDES”
另外 functions as a linking word (conjunction) to mean “in addition”, “plus” or “besides”.
还 (hái) or 也 (yě) may be used after 另外。
PATTERN
Sentence, 另外 + Sentence
我要一碗面条，另外还要一碗炒饭。
I want a bowl of noodles and a bowl of fried rice in addition.View More Phrases
| CHINESE | PINYIN | ENGLISH |
|---|---|---|
| 你迟到了！另外你也穿得不合适。 | nǐ chídàole! lìngwài nǐ yě chuān dé bù héshì. | You are late! Plus you’re not dressed properly. |
| 我没时间看这部电影，另外我也不喜欢爱情片。 | wǒ méi shíjiān kàn zhè bù diànyǐng, lìngwài wǒ yě bù xǐhuān àiqíng piān. | I don’t have time to watch this movie. Besides, I don’t like romance movies. |
| 他被事情缠住了，另外他不想参加我们的活动。 | tā bèi shìqíng chán zhùle, lìngwài tā bùxiǎng cānjiā wǒmen de huódòng. | He is tied up with business, plus he doesn’t want to come to our event. |
| 我不要那个，另外这个太好吃了。 | wǒ bùyào nàgè, lìngwài zhège tài hào chīle. | I don’t want that. Besides this one is very delicious. |
PROVERBS WITH 另外
Here are a couple of useful expressions for you to learn now, and use later on when the situation calls it:
|
说是一回事做又是另外一回事。
shuō shì yī huí shì zuò yòu shì lìngwài yī huí shì. Saying is one thing and doing is another. |
另请高明。
lìng qǐng gāomíng. Please find somebody better qualified (than me) |
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FAQs
How to use 另外 to mean “another”?
另外 can mean another depending on how it’s used with nouns and verbs.
另外 with nouns: 另外 + number + measure word + noun
我认识他，另外三个人我不认识。
wǒ rènshí tā, lìngwài sān gèrén wǒ bù rènshí.
I know him, I don’t know the other three.
另外 with verbs: 另外/另 + verb/verb phrase
明天我有事，我们另外再找时间谈，好吗？
míngtiān wǒ yǒushì, wǒmen lìngwài zài zhǎo shíjiān tán, hǎo ma?
I have something to do tomorrow, is it okay if we find another time to talk?
How to use 另外 as a conjunction?
The structure for 另外 as a conjunction is sentence, 另外 + sentence to mean “plus”, “in addition” or “besides”
你迟到了！另外你也穿得不合适。nǐ chídàole! lìngwài nǐ yě chuān dé bù héshì. You are late! Plus you’re not dressed properly.
我不要那个，另外这个太好吃了。wǒ bùyào nàgè, lìngwài zhège tài hào chīle. I don’t want that. Besides this one is very delicious.
How do I read or pronounce 另外？
另外 is pronounced lìngwài.
What is the sentence structure for 如果?
The most common sentence structure for 如果 is:
如果 + statement，就 + statement
Another common sentence structure for 如果 is:
如果 + statement + 的话, (就 +) statement
Which idiom uses 另外?
说是一回事做又是另外一回事。shuō shì yī huí shì zuò yòu shì lìngwài yī huí shì. Saying is one thing and doing is another.
Where can I find more grammar lessons?
There are more Chinese grammar lessons like this one in our Chinese Grammar Bank.
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