külföld

Külföld is a Hungarian noun meaning "abroad" or "foreign countries." It is commonly used to refer collectively to places outside the speaker's own country and appears in many everyday and official contexts, such as travel, residence, employment, study and legal status.

Etymologically the word is a compound of kül ("outer, other") and föld ("land, earth"), literally "outer land." Related forms include külföldi (adjective or noun, "foreign" or "foreigner"), külföldön (locative, "in/at abroad") and külföldre (directional, "to abroad").

In social and legal discourse, külföld distinguishes non-domestic situations and persons: külföldi állampolgár denotes a foreign citizen, while külföldi munkavállalás refers to employment abroad. Statistical and policy discussions about migration, remittances, diaspora communities and international education frequently use the term.

Usage is largely neutral but context-dependent: it can indicate temporary stays (study or work abroad) or permanent emigration. In media and everyday speech, külföld often contrasts with belföld ("domestic, homeland"). The word reflects both geographic and administrative boundaries and plays a role in debates on international mobility, economic ties and cultural exchange.