oriental
MediumFormal, academic, historical; often considered outdated or potentially offensive in modern everyday contexts when referring to people.
Definition
Meaning
Relating to the countries, peoples, or cultures of East Asia, particularly China, Japan, and Korea.
Can historically refer to the regions, peoples, or cultures of the Eastern world, especially Asia. Also used in specialized contexts such as 'oriental rug' or 'oriental studies'.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This term is primarily used adjectivally for objects, styles, or fields of study. It is now widely avoided as a noun for people, where it is seen as Eurocentric, exoticizing, and potentially offensive. The use of 'Asian' is preferred for people, and specifying the specific region or country (e.g., East Asian, Chinese, Japanese) is recommended.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage patterns and awareness of its problematic nature are broadly similar. It remains more established in certain fixed phrases (e.g., 'Oriental rug') and in historical/academic contexts (e.g., 'Oriental Studies') in both varieties.
Connotations
In both, it carries connotations of historical European colonial perspectives. It is associated with the 19th and early 20th centuries. Its use can signal that the speaker is unaware of modern sensitivities or is deliberately using dated terminology.
Frequency
Frequency of use has declined significantly in the last 50 years in both varieties, especially in reference to people. It persists more in the names of institutions, academic departments, and specific commercial products.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
oriental + noun (adj.)be + oriental (adj.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The Oriental (archaic/offensive term for Asia)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Primarily in specific trade contexts like 'oriental carpets' or 'oriental antiques'.
Academic
Found in historical texts and names of older academic departments (Oriental Studies). Modern departments are typically renamed 'Asian Studies'.
Everyday
Avoided. Seen as outdated, inappropriate, or offensive when referring to people.
Technical
Used in botany (e.g., 'oriental poppy'), certain art history contexts, and rug/carpet classification.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The museum has a remarkable collection of oriental ceramics.
- He specialises in oriental languages like Mandarin and Japanese.
American English
- She bought an authentic oriental rug at the market.
- The course covers Oriental philosophy and religion.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This carpet has an oriental pattern.
- The shop sells oriental food.
- My grandmother has a beautiful oriental vase from China.
- I'm reading a book about oriental history.
- The term 'oriental' is now considered outdated by many when describing people; 'East Asian' is preferred.
- The influence of oriental art on European painters was significant in the 19th century.
- The university's Faculty of Oriental Studies has been renamed the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.
- While 'oriental' persists in phrases like 'oriental rug', its use in sociological contexts is criticized for perpetuating an 'us vs. them' dichotomy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of ORIENTal as pointing to the ORIENT (the East), but remember it's a direction from a European perspective.
Conceptual Metaphor
EAST IS EXOTIC / EAST IS OTHER. The term historically framed Asia as a mysterious, foreign land from a Western viewpoint.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- In Russian, 'восточный' (vostochny) is a direct geographical equivalent for 'eastern' and is neutral. Translating this directly as 'oriental' in English can carry unintended historical baggage and potential offense when referring to people. Use 'East Asian', 'Asian', or specific country names instead.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'oriental' as a noun for people (e.g., 'He is an oriental').
- Assuming it is a neutral, modern synonym for 'Asian'.
- Using it in general everyday descriptions where 'East Asian' or a specific nationality is more accurate and respectful.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'oriental' still most commonly accepted?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When used as a noun for people (e.g., 'an oriental'), it is widely considered offensive and outdated. As an adjective for objects (e.g., 'oriental rug'), it is more accepted but still carries historical baggage. It's safest to use more specific terms like 'East Asian', 'Chinese', or 'Japanese'.
'Asian' is a broad, neutral geographical term. 'Oriental' is a term with European origins that specifically refers to regions east of Europe, often East Asia. 'Oriental' is now seen as a colonial-era term that exoticizes and 'others' the people and cultures it describes, while 'Asian' is the standard, respectful term.
These are often historical names that date back many decades. Many such institutions have renamed themselves (e.g., 'School of Oriental and African Studies' in London is now 'SOAS'; many 'Oriental Studies' departments are now 'Asian Studies'). The older name persists due to tradition and institutional inertia.
It is possible (e.g., 'oriental cuisine', 'oriental art'), but it is a vague and dated term. It is more precise and modern to specify the country or region of origin, such as 'East Asian cuisine', 'Chinese art', 'Japanese ceramics', etc.