外来(がいらい)

がいらい
noun
outpatient; foreign origin
1. outpatient
A patient who visits a hospital for treatment without being admitted.
外来(がいらい)患者(かんじゃ)は朝(あさ)早(はや)く来(く)る人(ひと)が多(おお)い。
Many outpatients come early in the morning.
今日(きょう)は外来(がいらい)の日(ひ)だ。
Today is my outpatient visit day.
2. of foreign origin; imported
Coming from outside; not native.
外来(がいらい)種(しゅ)が生態系(せいたいけい)に影響(えいきょう)を与(あた)えている。
Invasive species are affecting the ecosystem.

外来(がいらい) has two main meanings: outpatient (medical) and foreign origin.

SENSE 1 - Medical:

  • 外来(がいらい)患者(かんじゃ): outpatient
  • 外来(がいらい)診療(しんりょう): outpatient care
  • 外来(がいらい)受付(うけつけ): outpatient reception
  • 救急(きゅうきゅう)外来(がいらい): emergency outpatient

OPPOSITE:

  • 入院(にゅういん)患者(かんじゃ): inpatient

SENSE 2 - Foreign origin:

  • 外来(がいらい)語(ご): loanword (foreign-origin word)
  • 外来(がいらい)種(しゅ): invasive/introduced species
  • 外来(がいらい)文化(ぶんか): foreign culture

NOTE:
In medical contexts, 外来(がいらい) alone often means "outpatient department/services."

general
Added 2026.2.4 12:55
09500/09895_gairai