另 / 另外

HSK 4

Other

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

另(一Measure word)Noun / 另外(的)Noun / 另外,Clause / 另外Verb

Meaning (意思 yìsi)

另 and 另外 are used to refer to another person/thing, or to add supplementary information with the meaning of "besides," "furthermore," or "in addition."

Explanation (解释 jiěshì)

另 and 另外 both mean "other" or "additional." Their usages differ slightly:

Referring to a different object: 另 typically pairs with 一 + measure word (e.g., 另一个人). 另外 can directly modify a noun or take 的 (e.g., 另外的办法).
Adding information: 另外 can function as an adverb before a verb (to do something additionally) or as a conjunction at the beginning of a sentence or clause (furthermore, in addition). In these two cases, 另 cannot be used alone.

Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)

我们找另一个地方吧。
繁: 我們找另一個地方吧。Wǒmen zhǎo lìng yí gè dìfang ba.
Let's find another place.
你看看另外几本书。
繁: 你看看另外幾本書。Nǐ kànkan lìngwài jǐ běn shū.
Why don't you try looking at some other books?
我今天很忙，另外我也不舒服。
Wǒ jīntiān hěn máng, lìngwài wǒ yě bù shūfu.
I am very busy today, and besides, I'm also feeling unwell.
他买了一个蛋糕，另外还买了一些水果。
繁: 他買了一個蛋糕，另外還買了一些水果。Tā mǎi le yí gè dàngāo, lìngwài hái mǎi le yìxiē shuǐguǒ.
He bought a cake and also purchased some fruit in addition.
我们有另外的计划。
繁: 我們有另外的計劃。Wǒmen yǒu lìngwài de jìhuà.
We have different plans.

Common mistakes

Wrong:给我一个另苹果。
Correct:给我另一个苹果。
When denoting "a different one," 另 must be used with a numeral and measure word like 一个; it cannot stand alone before a noun.
Wrong:我吃了一个包子，另想吃一个。
Correct:我吃了一个包子，另外还想吃一个。
When using an adverbial modifier to supplement the meaning of a verb ("still want to do more"), you must use `另外`, not `另` alone.