burakumin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

In English academic discourse, it is the standard, neutral term. In Japanese, it can be considered direct and potentially pejorative, with more neutral terms like 'hisabetsu buraku' (discriminated communities) or 'dōwa chiku' residents often used in official or sensitive contexts.

While legal discrimination was abolished in 1871, social prejudice and issues of identity persist. People identified as burakumin or from burakumin backgrounds continue to face challenges, making it a subject of ongoing sociological study.

Yes. In English, 'burakumin' is typically used as both a singular and plural noun (e.g., 'one burakumin', 'the burakumin'). Adding an 's' ('burakumins') is non-standard and should be avoided.

'Eta' (lit. 'full of filth') is a historical, extremely pejorative term for the same group, now considered a strong racial slur in Japanese. 'Burakumin' (lit. 'hamlet/village people') is the modern academic and standard term in English, referring to both the historical group and their descendants.

A member of a historically discriminated-against social minority group in Japan, descended from people who worked in professions considered 'unclean'.

Burakumin is usually specialised (academic, technical, sociological) in register.

Burakumin: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbʊərəˈkuːmɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbʊrəˈkumɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.