asian: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral
Quick answer
What does “asian” mean?
Relating to the continent of Asia or its people.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to the continent of Asia or its people.
Pertaining to the cultural, geographical, or ethnic characteristics originating from the continent of Asia; often used as a broad demographic category.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'Asian' often refers more specifically to people from South Asia (e.g., India, Pakistan). In American English, it more commonly refers to people from East and Southeast Asia.
Connotations
In the UK, the term can carry stronger associations with the British South Asian diaspora. In the US, it is closely tied to discussions of the 'model minority' stereotype and pan-Asian political coalitions.
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties, but contextual referents differ.
Grammar
How to Use “asian” in a Sentence
[be] + Asian[of] + Asian + originAsian + NOUNVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “asian” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- She is of Asian descent.
- The shop sells Asian vegetables.
American English
- He is Asian American.
- We're studying Asian economic history.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to markets, economies, or business practices originating from Asia (e.g., 'Asian supply chains').
Academic
Used in fields like Asian Studies, Sociology, and History to denote geographic or cultural scope.
Everyday
Commonly used to describe food, people, and cultural artifacts.
Technical
In demographics and geography, a precise categorical variable (e.g., 'Asian/Pacific Islander').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “asian”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “asian”
- Using uncapitalized 'asian' when referring to people.
- Using as a standalone noun for a person in formal writing without context.
- Over-generalizing diverse cultures under a single 'Asian' label.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when referring to people or cultures (e.g., 'She is Asian'), it should be capitalized, following the convention for other demonyms like 'European'.
Generally no, it is a standard neutral term. However, being as specific as possible (e.g., 'Korean', 'Vietnamese') when you know a person's origin is often considered more respectful.
'Asiatic' is an older, now often outdated or offensive term when referring to people. It is mainly used in technical contexts like biological classification (e.g., 'Asiatic lion').
Yes (e.g., 'Asians'), but its acceptability varies. In formal or sensitive writing, 'Asian people' or more specific terms are often preferred to avoid reducing individuals to a single category.
Relating to the continent of Asia or its people.
Asian is usually neutral in register.
Asian: in British English it is pronounced /ˈeɪ.ʒən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈeɪ.ʒən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Asian values”
- “Asian Tigers (economics)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ASIA is a continent; adding 'N' makes it an adjective for things FROM that continent.
Conceptual Metaphor
ASIAN IS A GEOGRAPHIC/CULTURAL ORIGIN (e.g., 'the Asian side of the city').
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English does 'Asian' most commonly refer to people from the Indian subcontinent?