1.
place one has gone out to; destination when out; while out
Where someone is when they're out of the house or office — the workplace they've visited, a café, a station, etc. Often appears with で to mean "while out and about."
外出先で財布をなくした。
I lost my wallet while I was out.
外出先から会社に連絡を入れた。
I contacted the office from where I was visiting.
外出先でもスマホがあれば仕事のメールを確認できる。
Even when I'm out, I can check work email as long as I have my smartphone.
Compound of 外出 (going out) + 先 (destination, place of). The 先 suffix is the same one in 勤務先 (workplace) and 連絡先 (contact info).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 外出先で: while out
- 外出先から: from where one has gone
- 外出先を伝える: to share where one is going
USAGE:
Very common in announcements and modern work-from-anywhere contexts: 外出先でも対応可能 ("can respond even when out"). Less common in casual conversation, where people usually name the specific place instead.