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

Similar words

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

Usage

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

Related Words

Antonym: 入院(にゅういん) (hospitalization)

Compare: 入院(にゅういん)患者(かんじゃ) (inpatient)

Related: 通院(つういん) (visiting a hospital)

general

Added 2026.2.4 12:55 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

09500/09895_gairai