Terahertz external modulator based on high electron mobility transistors belongs to the field of electromagnetic functional devices technology. This invention includes the semiconductor substrate (1), the epitaxial layer (2), and the modulation-unit array (4). The epitaxial layer (2) is set on the semiconductor substrate (1). The modulation-unit (4), the positive electrode (3), and the negative electrode (5) are all set on the epitaxial layer (2). The modulation-unit array includes at least three units with each of them is composed of high electron mobility transistors and metamaterial-structure. The gates of transistors connect to the negative electrode (5), and the sources and drains connect to the positive electrode (3). This invention is used for manipulation of spatial transmission terahertz waves. It could be operated at room temperatures, normal pressures, and non-vacuum condition. It does not need to load on the waveguide, thus is easy to package and use.