Yttre

Yttre is a Swedish adjective meaning outer or external. It is used to describe position relative to the center or interior and commonly precedes a noun, as in yttre väggen (the outer wall), yttre lager (outer layer), or yttre rymden (outer space). It is often contrasted with inre (inner) to distinguish exterior from interior in anatomy, geology, astronomy, and everyday language. In many cases yttre also functions in compound nouns and technical terms, such as yttre kärna (outer core).

Etymology and forms: Yttre derives from the Proto-Germanic root meaning outside and is related to the English outer and German äußer. In Swedish it remains an attributive adjective that can appear in definite form when modifying a noun, and it forms compound terms with no special inflection beyond standard adjective agreement. The corresponding opposite term is inre, meaning inner.

Usage notes: Yttre is common in scientific and descriptive prose, including geology (yttre skikt, outer layer), meteorology, astronomy (yttre atmosfären, outer atmosphere), and geography, as well as in metaphorical phrases like yttre gränser (outer limits). It can be used with both singular and plural nouns and with definite or indefinite noun phrases, depending on context. It is a versatile term for signaling exteriority without specifying distance or orientation beyond being outside the center or interior.