In Japanese, the term "外人" (Gaijin) is commonly used to refer to foreigners or non-Japanese individuals. A more formal and respectful term is "外国人" (Gaikokujin), which translates directly to "person from a foreign country".
One of the most important aspects of any language is understanding how to refer to people, including oneself. If you're a non-native speaker or planning to visit Japan, knowing how to say 'foreigner' in Japanese can be incredibly useful.
This term can help you explain your background, start conversations, and establish connections with locals.
In this blog post, we will explore the different ways to say 'foreigner' in Japanese, delve into their proper usage, and understand the cultural nuances attached to them.
Let's get started!
Gaijin (外人)
The most common way to say 'foreigner' in Japanese is 'gaijin.' This word has been around for centuries, and it can be used as a noun or an adjective.
The term 'Gaijin' is derived from two Japanese characters: 'gai' (外), meaning 'outside', and 'jin' (人), meaning 'person'. When combined, 'Gaijin' directly translates to 'outside person', or more commonly, 'foreigner.
Though the term is widely used and understood, it's important to note that it carries certain connotations that could potentially offend. While some people use the term casually, it can come across as exclusionary and somewhat dismissive of an individual's unique cultural background.
Gaikokujin (外国人)
Moving on to our next term, let's talk about 'Gaikokujin'.
This word also consists of two Japanese characters: 'gai' (外), which as we already know means 'outside', and 'koku' (国) which translates to 'country'. Finally, 'jin' (人) stands for 'person'.
All together, 'Gaikokujin' translates to 'outside country person', or, in more natural English, 'foreign national'.
This term is generally seen as a more polite and formal way to refer to foreigners. You might hear it used in formal conversations, or in settings like the news or official documents.
Saying “I’m a foreigner” in Japanese
Now that we have explored the two most common terms for 'foreigner' in Japanese, let's focus on how to say "I am a foreigner" correctly.
If you are speaking casually with friends or acquaintances, then you could say「私は外人です」(watashi wa gaijin desu), meaning: "I am a foreigner".
On the other hand, if you are speaking formally or in an official setting then you would say「私は外国人です」(watashi wa gaikokujin desu), meaning: "I am a foreign national."
Whichever phrase you choose to use, it's important to remember to be mindful of your speech, and always strive to use language that is respectful and inclusive.
Other Japanese Terms for 'Foreigner'
Although the terms 'Gaijin' and 'Gaikokujin' are by far the most commonly used words for foreigners in Japanese, there are a few other phrases to consider as well.
他国人 (Takokujin)
Just like 'Gaijin' and 'Gaikokujin', 'Takokujin' is also made up of three Japanese characters: 'ta' (他) meaning 'other', 'koku' (国) signifying 'country', and 'jin' (人) denoting 'person'.
Put it all together and 'Takokujin' translates to 'other country person' - essentially, another way to say 'foreigner' in Japanese.
Now, 'Takokujin' isn't as commonly heard as 'Gaijin' or 'Gaikokujin', but it's got its own charm and usages. 'Takokujin' is used more in written Japanese rather than spoken, and you'll often find it in literature or academic texts.
So, if you're into Japanese novels or happen to be skimming through a scholarly article in Japanese, don't be surprised to come across this term!
Ijin (異人)
Made up of two characters 'i' (異) meaning 'different', and 'jin' (人) indicating 'person', 'Ijin' doesn't have the 'outside' component you see in 'Gaijin' and 'Gaikokujin'.
Instead, 'Ijin' translates to 'different person'.
'Ijin' is a term that embraces uniqueness, so it doesn't carry the same potentially negative connotations as 'Gaijin'. Rather than focusing on outside or foreign, 'Ijin' acknowledges that someone is different, which can be seen from a positive light - as in unique, special, or intriguing!
異邦人 (Ihoujin)
Now, let's chat about 'Ihoujin'. This term is a bit of an oldie but a goodie!
Just like the terms we discussed above, 'Ihoujin' is also made of kanji characters: 'i' (異) meaning 'different', 'hou' (邦) standing for 'country', and 'jin' (人) which we already know means 'person'.
So, if you squish it all together, 'Ihoujin' translates to 'different country person'. Sounds familiar, right? It's kind of like a vintage way of saying 'foreigner'.
That's because 'Ihoujin' is a term more commonly found in older literature or historical texts. It's not a word you'll hear on the streets of Tokyo, but if you're reading a classic Japanese novel or a historical document, you might just stumble upon it.
The beauty of 'Ihoujin' is in its antiquity and the rich historical context it brings with it. So next time you spot it while reading, you’ll have a better understanding of its meaning and usage.
Ketō (毛唐)
Now, this term is a little different. Composed of two characters, 'ke' (毛) which translates to 'fur' or 'hair', and 'tō' (唐) which is often used to denote China or the Tang Dynasty, the literal translation of 'Ketō' can seem a bit odd: 'hairy Tang'.
But hold on, it's not as strange as it sounds!
Historically, 'Ketō' was a term used by the Japanese to refer to Westerners, as the bodily hair of Westerners seemed quite noticeable to the Japanese people.
While it might have started off merely as a descriptor, over time and with changes in social context, 'Ketō' is now seen as an offensive term. It's not one you'd want to use in everyday conversation, and is generally avoided in polite company.
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