expat
C1Informal, journalistic, business
Definition
Meaning
A person who lives outside their native country.
Often refers to someone living abroad temporarily, especially for professional reasons, and sometimes carries connotations of living within a distinct community of fellow foreigners.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used as a shortening of 'expatriate'. Can imply a degree of privilege or choice, as opposed to terms like 'migrant' or 'refugee'. Sometimes used self-referentially.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The clipped form 'expat' is common in both varieties.
Connotations
In British usage, it frequently refers to Britons in former colonies or sunny retirement destinations. In American usage, it often refers to corporate employees, retirees, or creatives living abroad.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK media due to historical colonial ties and large numbers of British citizens living abroad.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[expat] + [in/from] + [country/city][expat] + [living/residing] + [abroad/overseas]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Expat bubble (an insular social circle of expatriates)”
- “Go the full expat (to fully adopt the expatriate lifestyle, including local customs)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to employees on international assignments, often with relocation packages. 'The firm has over 200 expats in its Singapore office.'
Academic
Used in sociology, anthropology, and migration studies, often contrasted with other migrant categories. 'The study examined the social networks of expats in Bangkok.'
Everyday
Common in casual conversation among people living abroad or discussing those who do. 'She's been an expat in Spain for ten years now.'
Technical
Less common in highly technical language; terms like 'non-national', 'foreign assignee', or 'international migrant' are more precise.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He was expatriated to the Dubai office.
American English
- The company expatriated several key managers.
adjective
British English
- The expat community in the Algarve is quite large.
American English
- They enjoyed the expat lifestyle in Mexico City.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My uncle is an expat in Germany.
- Many expats live in that part of the city.
- She moved to become an expat and work for an international company.
- The expat community organised a welcome party for new arrivals.
- After a decade as an expat in Asia, he had a truly global perspective.
- The tax implications for expats can be incredibly complex.
- The discourse often distinguishes between 'expats' from wealthy nations and 'migrants' from the global south, a distinction critics call problematic.
- His novel provides a sharp critique of the insulated expat bubble in early 20th-century Paris.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'EXit PATria' - leaving one's homeland (patria is Latin for 'native country').
Conceptual Metaphor
A BIRD OF PASSAGE (temporary, seasonal movement). A BUBBLE (insulation from the local culture).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводите как 'эмигрант' (emigrant), так как 'эмигрант' в русском часто подразумевает постоянный переезд и может иметь политический оттенок. 'Expat' обычно временный и профессиональный. Также не путайте с 'иммигрант' (immigrant), который прибывает в страну на ПМЖ.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'expat' to refer to all immigrants (it typically excludes economic migrants and refugees).
- Misspelling as 'ex-pat' (the hyphen is now considered dated).
- Using it as a verb (the verb form is 'expatriate', not 'expat').
Practice
Quiz
Which term is LEAST likely to be synonymous with 'expat' in its common usage?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An 'expat' often implies a temporary or professional move, sometimes with a maintained connection to the home country. An 'immigrant' implies a permanent move with the intention of settling in the new country. The distinction is often blurred and can be influenced by socio-economic factors and perception.
No, it is an informal, clipped form of 'expatriate'. 'Expatriate' is the standard formal term, though 'expat' is widely accepted in journalism and business contexts.
No, you cannot say 'I expatted to Japan.' The correct verb form is 'expatriate' (e.g., 'He was expatriated'), but it is quite formal. In everyday speech, you would say 'moved abroad', 'lives overseas', or 'works abroad'.
It is not inherently offensive, but its use is sometimes criticised for creating a class-based distinction (where white professionals are 'expats' while others are 'migrants'). Awareness of this nuance is important in sensitive discussions about migration.
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