1. 外国的，在本国以外的；从外国来的　 to, from, of, in, being, or concerning a country or nation that is not one's own or not the one being talked about or considered
2. P 不属于本身的；无关的，不相干的　 having no place; having no relation
3. A 外来的；异质的　 coming or brought in from outside; not belonging

　～ affairs　外交事务
　～ aid　外国的援助，外援
　～ body　异物
　～ exchange　外汇
　～ factor　外来因素
　～ film　外国影片
　～ flavour　外国风味
　～ friend　外国朋友
　～ language　外语
　～ policy　外交政策
　～ service　驻外机构
　～ students　留学生
　～ things　洋物
　～ trade　外贸
　～ word　外来字
　～ to　和…无关的，不适于…的，非…所原有的
　～ to one's nature　不是…的本性

　At the banquet all the foreign guests wore evening dress.　宴会上所有的外宾都穿着晚礼服。
　These artistic handicrafts are very popular with foreign friends.　外国朋友很喜爱这些美术工艺品。
　They said foreign correspondents who stayed too long in a place went blind.　他们说，外国记者在一个地方呆得太久就变得不能发现新事物了。
　The new hotel is destined for the reception of foreign visitors.　这家新旅馆是作接待外宾用的。
　He lives in a foreign country.　他居住在外国。
　A foreign language is a weapon in the struggle of life.　外国语是人生斗争中的一种武器。
　He has travelled much in foreign parts.　他在外国游历很广。
　Tourism has been Thailand's biggest earner of foreign exchange since 1982.　自从1982年以来，旅游业一直是泰国最大的外汇来源。
　We hope for foreign aid but cannot depend on it.　我们希望有外援，但是我们不能依赖它。
　Several news commentators hit out at the president on his foreign policy.　有几位时事评论员猛烈抨击总统的对外政策。
　This metal, oil, soap contains foreign matter.　这金属、油、肥皂中含有杂质。
　This food contains foreign matter.　这食物含有杂质。
　We oppose copying everything foreign.　我们反对样样照搬外国的。
　I can't understand what he says, he must be foreign.　我听不懂他说的话，想必他是个外国人。

 ♣ foreign body〔substance〕
　异物，杂质　object that should not present
　Waiter!There is a foreign body in my soup!　服务员！我的汤里有异物！
　The swelling on her finger was caused by a foreign body in it.　她手指肿大是内有异物所致。
　The trouble with cheap wine is that it may be contaminated with foreign substance.　廉价酒的问题在于它被异物污染。
 ♣ foreign to
　本身所无的；不适宜的　not belonging to; not suitable for
　Lying is foreign to the child.　这孩子从不说谎。
　Sitting still is foreign to a boy's nature.　老老实实地坐着不是男孩的本性。
　He is a very good person, cruelty is foreign to his nature.　他为人很善良，性格上没有半点残暴。
　Your argument is foreign to the question.　你的论点与问题无关。
　What you say is foreign to our purpose.　你的话和我们的目的无关。
　The subject is foreign to us.　我们对这个题目很陌生。
 ♣ on foreign soil
　在异国土地，在外国　abroad
　We went for a day's trip to Calais and it was the first time we'd set foot on foreign soil.　我们去加来一日游，那是我们第一次踏上异国的土地。

 ♣ foreign, alien
　参见alien条。

1. 她说话时脸红了，因为说谎不是她的本性。
　［误］ She blushed as she spoke, for lying is foreign with her nature.
　［正］ She blushed as she spoke, for lying is foreign to her nature.
　［析］ foreign用来表达“和…格格不入”“和…不相干”时，后面应该加介词to，而不加 with或别的介词。
2. 三对外国夫妇住在三楼。
　［误］ Three couples of foreigners live on the third floor.
　［正］ Three foreign couples live on the third floor.
　［析］ “三对外国夫妇”译成three couples of foreigners不符合英语习惯说法，应该改为 three foreign couples. “一对美国夫妇”是an American couple，若写成a couple of Americans就可能是两个美国人了。
3. 他已定购了一辆外国造的汽车。
　［误］ He has placed an order for a foreigner's car.
　［正］ He has placed an order for a foreign-made car.
　［析］ “外国制造的”应译作foreign-made，而foreigner's是“外国人的”意思。

　foreign notepaper　和foreign letter paper都指一种“薄信纸”，不指“外国纸”或“出口纸”。

　［同义词］ alien, distant, imported, introduced, remote, strange
　［反义词］ inconsistent, native, unconnected, unrelated
　［词源］　民间拉丁语foranus（位于外面的）<拉丁语foris（外边）