foreign countries
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 foreign countries
It refers to countries outside your own, or to things connected with those countries.
foreign countries
It refers to foreign countries as places people visit, live in, or have connections with.
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สินค้านี้นำเข้ามาจากต่างประเทศ sǐnkháa níi nam khâw maa càak tàaŋ prathêet This product is imported from abroad. สินค้านี้นำเข้ามาจากต่างประเทศ details
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รายการนี้นำเสนอข่าวสารต่างประเทศ raaykaan níi namsanə̌ə khàaw sǎan tàaŋ prathêet This program covers international news. รายการนี้นำเสนอข่าวสารต่างประเทศ details
Learning notes
Explanation
ต่าง means “different” or “other,” and ประเทศ means “country.” Together they refer to countries outside one's own. The word is neutral and common in conversation, news, and official writing. As a place expression, it appears in ไปต่างประเทศ (go abroad), อยู่ต่างประเทศ (be abroad), and กลับจากต่างประเทศ (return from abroad). English often translates this noun use with the adverb “abroad.” After a noun, it describes a connection with foreign countries, as in ข่าวต่างประเทศ (international news). It is often contrasted with ในประเทศ, meaning “within the country” or “domestic.”
Usage
Common contexts include international travel, studying or working abroad, living overseas, and sending packages to other countries. It also distinguishes foreign news, goods, and languages from domestic ones.
Caution
The destination does not have to be across an ocean: a neighboring country reached by land also counts. The home country is determined by context and is not necessarily Thailand. ต่างประเทศ alone does not mean “a foreigner.” Use ชาวต่างชาติ or คนต่างชาติ for people. To mean “another country” in contrast with a particular country already mentioned, ประเทศอื่น is generally more appropriate.
Differences from similar words
1 foreign countries synonyms
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เมืองนอก is a conversational way to say “abroad” or “foreign countries.” ต่างประเทศ is neutral and also fits formal writing.