号 外(ごうがい)

ごうがい

noun

extra edition (newspaper)

1. extra edition; special edition (of a newspaper)

A special newspaper edition published outside the regular schedule to report breaking news of major importance. Traditionally distributed free on the street.

号外(ごうがい)が出(で)た。

An extra edition was published.

駅前(えきまえ)で号外(ごうがい)を配(くば)っていた。

They were handing out extra editions in front of the station.

戦争(せんそう)終結(しゅうけつ)のニュースが号外(ごうがい)で伝(つた)えられ、人々(ひとびと)は歓声(かんせい)を上(あ)げた。

The news of the war's end was announced in an extra edition, and people cheered.

Composed of 号(ごう) (number, issue) and 外(がい) (outside) — literally an issue 'outside' the regular numbering. A 号外(ごうがい) is published only for truly major events: elections, natural disasters, historic achievements, or declarations of war/peace.

Cultural note

In Japan, 号外(ごうがい) are traditionally single-sheet papers distributed by hand near train stations. Even in the digital age, major newspapers still print physical 号外(ごうがい) for landmark events, and crowds gather to receive them as keepsakes.

Common collocations

号外(ごうがい)が出(で)る — an extra edition comes out
号外(ごうがい)を配(くば)る — to distribute extra editions
号外(ごうがい)を出(だ)す — to publish an extra edition

Related words

夕刊(ゆうかん) — evening edition (of a newspaper)
朝刊(ちょうかん) — morning edition (of a newspaper)
臨時(りんじ)ニュース — breaking news bulletin (broadcast equivalent)

Related Words

Related: 夕刊(ゆうかん) (evening edition)

Related: 朝刊(ちょうかん) (morning edition)

Related: 臨時(りんじ)ニュース (breaking news bulletin)

Compare: ニュース速報(そくほう) (breaking news)

general

Added 2026.3.27 8:26 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

19500/19773_gougai