1.
outside rounds; visiting clients; outside sales
Going outside the office to visit clients, make deliveries, or conduct business at external locations. A common part of many sales and service jobs in Japan.
今日は外回りの日だ。
Today is a day for outside visits.
営業の外回りで一日中歩き回った。
I walked around all day doing outside sales calls.
雨の日の外回りは大変だが、客先には時間どおりに着かなければならない。
Doing outside rounds on a rainy day is tough, but you have to arrive at the client's on time.
2.
outer loop; outer track
The outer circle of a loop line (such as the Yamanote Line in Tokyo) or the outer circumference of something.
山手線の外回りに乗る。
To ride the outer loop of the Yamanote Line.
外回りと内回りを間違えて反対方向に乗ってしまった。
I mixed up the outer and inner loops and got on in the wrong direction.
外回りホームは階段を上がって右側です。
The outer loop platform is on the right after going up the stairs.
USAGE:
Sense 1 is a common business term. Office workers who spend time visiting clients are said to be doing 外回り, in contrast to 内勤 (office/desk work).
Sense 2 is used for circular train lines and tracks. On the Yamanote Line, 外回り goes clockwise and 内回り goes counterclockwise.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 外回りの営業 (outside sales)
- 外回りに出る (to go out on rounds)
- 山手線外回り (Yamanote Line outer loop)