Do you know the definition of gaijin? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word gaijin, including its definition, etymology, usage, example sentences, and more!
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According to Definitions, the word gaijin is Japanese for a non-Japanese person, or foreigner or alien. This word is formed by the two kanji gai, which means outside, and him which means person. Therefore, the literal translation in the English language is outside country person or outsider. There are different words that also refer to foreign things and people like foreign currency, a foreign country or a foreign car, including gaikoku, as well as the common words gaisha, gaika, and gaitame. The word gaijin can refer to nationality, race, or ethnicity, but in Japanese these are generally conflated.
Modern commentators feel that this word is negative, criminal or pejorative in connotation and thus offensive, but others think that it can still be used neutrally or positively. This word is avoided by most kids and Japanese television broadcasters and is generally considered to be politically incorrect. Now, the uncontroversial, if slightly formal word gaikokujin, is commonly used instead. One can also use the honorific form gaikoku no kata instead. People might also not use gaisha, but use gaikoku no kuruma if they do interviews where they have to speak in front of TV cameras. Gaijin does not specifically mean a foreigner that is also a white person, and can be used for other East Asians or anyone else from another country.
According to Your Dictionary, this word comes from the Japanese gai outside or foreign, which comes from the Middle Chinese ŋuaj`, jin person jinriksha. In Chinese and Japanese writing, these are written as the below:
Japanese 外人 gaijin がいじん
Middle Chinese 外人 ngwàj-nyin
Mandarin wàirén 外人
Old Chinese ŋʷˁat-s ning
外 “outside” + 人 “person”
Gaikokujin 外国人
What are translations of the word gaijin?
There are many different ways that someone can refer to a foreigner in many different languages. You may notice that many of these translations look and sound similar to one another. These are called cognates,which are often formed when two words in different languages have the same root or language of origin. This list of translations is provided by Word Sense.
What are synonyms and antonyms of the word gaijin in English?
There are many different words that have the same meaning as the word gaijin. These are known as synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same definition as another word or phrase. Synonyms are very useful to know if you want to expand your knowledge of the English language and if you want to avoid repeating yourself. This list of synonyms for the word gaijin is provided by Power Thesaurus.
greenhorn
strangers
nonnational
unknowns
barbarian
invitee
castaway
outlander
abroad
interloper
gringo
newcomer
nonmember
visitors
deportee
immigrant
arrival
blow-in
strange
emigrant
new arrivals
pilgrim
stranger
fresh off the boat
displaced person
exile
unfamiliar
migratory worker
overseas
person in exile
ultramontane
foreign devil
expat
migrant
extraneous
oversea
outsider
perfect stranger
out-of-towner
alien
parvenu
documented alien
newcomers
drifter
non-citizens
new arrival
aliens
stateless person
outsiders
asylum seeker
traveler
incomers
boat person
caller
expatriate
naturalized citizen
settler
odd one out
landed immigrant
foreign national
floaters
tramontane
unknown
external
expellee
foreign country
late arrival
latecomer
immigrants
adoptive citizen
wanderer
itinerant person
resident alien
émigré
invitees
foreign person
uninvited person
visitor
nonnative
party crasher
foreigners
exotic
foreign body
foreign bodies
squatter
transient
non-native
tourist
incomer
noncitizen
sightseer
refugee
guest
johnny-come-lately
outcomer
outcast
unknown person
out-of-stater
intruder
undocumented alien
There are also numerous different words that have opposite meanings as the term gaijin. which are known as antonyms. These opposite words are also very useful to know if you want to try and expand your knowledge of the English language and grammar. This list of antonyms for the word gaijin is also provided by Power Thesaurus.
indigenous community
buddy
autochthonous peoples
first people
aboriginal community
aboriginal peoples
indigenous persons
original resident
original people
indigenous people
local population
local
native peoples
countryman
aboriginal groups
indigenous citizens
autochthonous inhabitant
welcome guest
companion
indigenous inhabitant
inhabitant
denizen
first peoples
aboriginal population
first nations
native-born populace
indigenous communities
dweller
aborigine
habitant
native people
national
indigenous peoples
indigenous groups
occupant
aboriginal people
indigenous population
first nation
friend
autochthonous people
resident
innate peoples
aboriginal group
aboriginal communities
autochthonous population
indigenous populations
native
aboriginal inhabitant
global citizen
citizen
Overall, the word gaijin means outsider or foreigner. This word is thought to have a negative connotation.
Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.