Synonym of Other in Chinese

Grammar Point:
These three words all mean “other,” but they’re used in different ways. Let’s look at 其他 qítā, 別的 béide, and 另外 lìngwài side by side.

其他 qítā – other / the rest

Things or people besides the ones already mentioned. Often means “the remaining ones.”

其他qítā人rén都dōu走zǒu了le其他qítā人rén都dōu走zǒu了le
The other people have all left.

我wǒ還有háiyǒu其他qítā問題wèntí我wǒ还有háiyǒu其他qítā问题wèntí
I still have other questions.

這zhè家jiā店diàn賣mài書shū， 也yě賣mài其他qítā東西dōngxī这zhè家jiā店diàn卖mài书shū， 也yě卖mài其他qítā东西dōngxi
This shop sells books and other things.

📌 Think of 其他 qítā = the rest of the group.

別的 béide – another / different

Something different from this one. Often used when choosing or changing.

我wǒ要yào別的biéde顏色yánsè我wǒ要yào别的biéde颜色yánsè
I want a different color.

還有háiyǒu別的biéde嗎ma？还有háiyǒu别的biéde吗ma？
Is there another one?

這個zhège不bù好hǎo，換huàn別的biéde吧ba这个zhège不bù好hǎo，换huàn别的biéde吧ba
This one isn’t good, let’s change to another.

📌 Think of 別的 biédde = not this one, a different one

另外 lìngwài – in addition / another / separately

Something extra, added, or separate. Often means “besides that” or “on top of that.”

我wǒ還有háiyǒu另外lìngwài一個yíge問題wèntí我wǒ还有háiyǒu另外lìngwài一个yíge问题wèntí
I have another question as well.

這zhè件jiàn事shì我wǒ不管bùguǎn，另外lìngwài的de你nǐ自己zìjǐ決定juédìng这zhè件jiàn事shì我wǒ不管bùguǎn，另外lìngwài的de你nǐ自己zìjǐ决定juédìng
I won’t handle this; the other parts are up to you.

另外lìngwài，我wǒ明天míngtiān不bù來lái另外lìngwài，我wǒ明天míngtiān不bù来lái
By the way / Also, I’m not coming tomorrow.

📌 Think of 另外 lìngwài = adding something new or separate.