gaijin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Colloquial
Quick answer
What does “gaijin” mean?
A foreigner in Japan.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A foreigner in Japan; specifically, a non-Japanese person.
In broader, sometimes informal usage, refers to any outsider or non-member of a particular group, community, or culture. Can carry connotations of otherness and may be used pejoratively, neutrally, or in self-reference depending on context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The word is primarily used in the context of discussing Japanese culture or personal experiences in Japan.
Connotations
The word itself retains its Japanese cultural connotations regardless of the English speaker's variety. However, British English might historically have a slightly stronger association with colonial/post-colonial discourse on 'the foreigner'.
Frequency
Equal and low frequency in both varieties. It is a loanword used in specific contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “gaijin” in a Sentence
[Subject/Experiencer] feels like a gaijin[Location] is full of gaijinthe [adjective] gaijinVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gaijin” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The system seems designed to gaijin you out of certain processes.
American English
- Don't gaijin yourself by refusing to try the local customs.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; the formal 'foreign national' or 'expatriate employee' is preferred.
Academic
Used in anthropological, sociological, or cultural studies papers discussing Japanese society and concepts of otherness.
Everyday
Used informally by people discussing life, travel, or work in Japan. Can be used in self-deprecation or to highlight cultural differences.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gaijin”
- Using it as a general synonym for 'foreigner' outside a Japanese context.
- Assuming it is always a polite or appropriate term.
- Pronouncing it with a hard 'g' as in 'go' instead of the correct soft 'g' as in 'guy'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be. While often used descriptively, it literally means 'outside person' and can carry an exclusionary or 'othering' connotation. The more formal and neutral term is 'gaikokujin' (person from a foreign country). Context and speaker intent are crucial.
Yes, but cautiously. It is commonly used in English within the context of discussing Japan. It is often used in self-reference (e.g., 'us gaijin'). Using it to label another specific person, especially in Japan, can be impolite. It's best understood as a culturally loaded term.
'Gaijin' is a general term for a foreigner, often implying a racial or ethnic 'otherness' in the Japanese context. 'Expatriate' (expat) typically refers to a person living outside their native country, often for professional reasons, and can carry connotations of privilege and temporariness. A Japanese person in London is a 'gaijin' in Japan but would be an 'expat' in the UK.
No. Like most Japanese nouns, 'gaijin' is not gendered. The term applies to any foreigner, regardless of gender.
A foreigner in Japan.
Gaijin is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Gaijin: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡaɪ.dʒɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡaɪ.dʒɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"The gaijin card" (to play on one's foreignness for advantage or excuse)”
- “"Gaijin smash" (humorous term for a foreigner blithely ignoring a local social norm due to ignorance)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a GUY named JIN who is very obviously not from Japan. The GUY-JIN is the 'gaijin'.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE FOREIGNER IS AN OUTSIDER / A TEMPORARY GUEST.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'gaijin' most appropriately used in English?