Translation guide
The English word "abroad" generally means "in or to a foreign country." In Japanese, this concept is expressed through nouns, adverbs, and set phrases. The most common and versatile option is 海外 (かいがい), which covers most uses. Other options like 外国 (がいこく) and 国外 (こくがい) have specific nuances. Japanese often uses these nouns with particles (へ, で, に) to indicate direction or location, rather than a single adverb.
The most common, all-purpose way to say "abroad" covering travel, living, news, etc.
The standard, neutral word for "overseas" or "abroad." Used in almost all contexts: travel, business, news, study abroad. Can be used with particles like へ (to), で (in), から (from).
来年、海外に留学します。
I will study abroad next year.
海外旅行が好きです。
I like traveling abroad.
海外のニュースをよく見ます。
I often watch news from abroad.
Literally "foreign country." Slightly more concrete than 海外, emphasizing the country itself. Common in compounds like 外国語 (がいこくご, foreign language) or 外国人 (がいこくじん, foreigner). Can sound a bit more formal or categorical.
Literally "outside the country." Used in legal, official, or formal contexts (e.g., 国外追放 (deportation), 国外逃亡 (fleeing the country)). Not used for casual travel.
Specifically expressing the action of going to a foreign country.
The most natural way to say "go abroad." 海外 (abroad) + に (direction) + 行く (go).
初めて海外に行きます。
I'm going abroad for the first time.
Expressing residence or extended stay in a foreign country.
"Live abroad." 海外 + に + 住む.
海外に住んでみたいです。
I want to try living abroad.
Indicating something comes from a foreign country.
"From abroad." 海外 + から (from). Used for imports, visitors, news, etc.
このワインは海外から輸入しました。
This wine was imported from abroad.
海外からのお客様
Guests from abroad
Specifically referring to studying in a foreign country.
The English loanword アブロード is not used in Japanese. Always use native terms like 海外 or 外国.
海外 (かいがい) is more common for general "overseas" concepts, while 外国 (がいこく) emphasizes "foreign country" as a category. 海外 is preferred in travel and news; 外国 is common in compounds like 外国語 (foreign language).
Words like 海外 and 外国 are nouns, not adverbs. Use particles: に for direction (行く), で for location of action (働く), から for origin (来る).
外国で働きたいです。
I want to work abroad.
外国の文化に興味があります。
I'm interested in cultures abroad.
The criminal fled abroad.
Means "overseas trip" or "traveling abroad." Very common compound noun.
海外旅行の計画を立てています。
I'm planning a trip abroad.
Noun meaning "residing abroad." Often used in profiles or news.
海外在住の日本人
Japanese people living abroad
The standard term for "studying abroad." Used as a noun or with する (to do). Often combined with 海外 (海外留学) for clarity, but 留学 alone implies abroad.
留学したいです。
I want to study abroad.
彼はアメリカに留学しています。
He is studying abroad in the US.