exo-

IPA/ɛɡzˈəʊ/
IPA/ɛɡzˈoʊ/

exo- — 構詞成分

1. a prefix borrowed from Greek that means 'outside,' 'external,' or 'on the outer

1.構詞成分B2
釋義

外部；外來

表示「外部」、「外面」的希臘來源詞綴

a prefix borrowed from Greek that means 'outside,' 'external,' or 'on the outer side of something'; used in scientific and technical words to describe things that exist or happen beyond a boundary, surface, or system.

例句

Many insects have a hard outer covering called an exoskeleton that protects their body.

許多昆蟲具有稱為外骨骼的堅硬外殼，可以保護身體。

exoskeleton = exo- + skeleton (hard outer shell)

Astronomers recently discovered a new exoplanet orbiting a star thirty light-years away.

天文學家最近發現了一顆新的系外行星，繞著一顆三十光年外的恆星運行。

exoplanet = exo- + planet (planet outside our solar system)

常見搭配
  • exoskeleton
  • exoplanet
  • exosphere
  • exothermic
  • exobiology
同義詞
  • extra-

    also means 'outside' or 'beyond,' but extra- is more common in everyday words (extraordinary, extracurricular); exo- is chiefly scientific.

  • out-

    an English-origin prefix (outdoor, outflow); exo- comes from Greek and is used in formal/technical terms.

反義詞
  • endo-

    means 'inside' or 'within' (endoskeleton, endothermic); the direct opposite of exo- in scientific contexts.

  • in-

    a Latin prefix meaning 'in' or 'into' (inhale, inside); less technical than endo- but also contrasts with exo-.

文法句型

exo- + [noun] forms a noun

exo- + [adjective] forms an adjective

用法筆記

Frequently used in scientific and technical vocabulary, especially biology, astronomy, and chemistry. Contrast with the prefix 'endo-' (inside, internal): exoskeleton vs. endoskeleton, exothermic vs. endothermic.

常見錯誤

The insect has an exterior skeleton.
The insect has an exoskeleton.
The standard technical term is exoskeleton, not 'exterior skeleton.'
An exoplanet is a planet outside the solar system.
An exoplanet is a planet that orbits a star outside our solar system.
The prefix exo- specifically means 'outside' the system in question, not just 'exterior.'

2. a prefix meaning 'outward,' 'away from,' or 'turning out' — used in social scien

2.構詞成分C1
釋義

向外；離開

表示「向外」、「轉向外部」的詞綴

a prefix meaning 'outward,' 'away from,' or 'turning out' — used in social sciences and biology to describe movement away from a group, place, or system.

例句

The Book of Exodus describes the departure of the Israelites from Egypt.

《出埃及記》描述了以色列人離開埃及的經過。

exodus = exo- + (h)odos 'way' (a mass departure outward)

Exogamy is the custom of marrying someone from outside one's own tribe or community.

外婚制是指與自己所屬部落或社群以外的人結婚的習俗。

exogamy = exo- + gamy 'marriage' (marrying outside the group)

常見搭配
  • exodus
  • exogamy
  • exocytosis
  • exocentric
同義詞
  • outward

    full word, not a prefix; less precise than exo- for technical contexts.

反義詞
  • endo-

    in its sense meaning 'within the group' — endogamy is marriage within one's own group, the opposite of exogamy.

文法句型

exo- + [noun] forms a noun

用法筆記

Less common than sense 1 ('outside'). Most words with this sense are specialized terms from anthropology, sociology, biology, or linguistics. The noun 'exodus' is by far the most widely used word in this group.

常見錯誤

They planned an exo to the countryside.
They planned an exodus to the countryside.
'Exodus' is the noun form; 'exo' alone is not a word in English.

❌ 'An exogamous marriage is one that happens outside the family group.' (this is correct but the word 'exogamy' is rare) — Use 'exogamy' only in formal or academic writing about marriage systems.

同根字

  • exoskeleton
    名詞B2
  • exoplanet
    名詞B2
  • exosphere
    名詞C1
  • exothermic
    形容詞C1
  • exodus
    名詞B2
  • exogamy
    名詞C2
  • exocytosis
    名詞C2
  • exocentric
    形容詞C2