paki: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (due to taboo nature and offensiveness)Taboo, highly offensive, derogatory
Quick answer
What does “paki” mean?
An offensive ethnic slur referring to a person of Pakistani descent or, by extension, a person of South Asian appearance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An offensive ethnic slur referring to a person of Pakistani descent or, by extension, a person of South Asian appearance.
Historically, in mid-20th century Britain, it was sometimes used as a shortened, informal, and now recognized as offensive, term for "Pakistani." It is now considered a highly derogatory racial slur.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is primarily associated with British English, stemming from post-war immigration patterns and racial tensions in the UK. In American English, it is less commonly encountered but is equally understood as a severe racial slur.
Connotations
In British context, strongly associated with racist abuse, football hooliganism, and far-right groups like the National Front in the 1970s/80s. In all contexts, it implies hatred, othering, and xenophobia.
Frequency
Extremely low in polite or public discourse. Its occurrence is typically limited to contexts of overt racism, historical discussion of racism, or in reported speech documenting abuse.
Grammar
How to Use “paki” in a Sentence
[Subject: person] called [Object: person] a paki.The use of the word 'paki' is unacceptable.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “paki” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [The verb 'to paki-bash' is an offensive historical term for assaulting South Asians.]
American English
- [Not used as a verb in AmE.]
adverb
British English
- [Not used as an adverb.]
American English
- [Not used as an adverb.]
adjective
British English
- [Used offensively in compounds like 'Paki shop' – an offensive term for a corner shop run by South Asians.]
American English
- [Not used as an adjective in AmE.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used. Its use would constitute gross misconduct and create a hostile work environment.
Academic
Only encountered in sociological, historical, or critical discourse analysis texts discussing racism, migration, or hate speech.
Everyday
Taboo. Its use is socially and legally sanctionable.
Technical
Not used in technical fields except perhaps in forensic linguistics analyzing hate speech.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “paki”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “paki”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “paki”
- Mistaking it for a harmless abbreviation or nickname. Using it without understanding its extreme offensiveness.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it originated as a clipped form, it has acquired intensely offensive and racist connotations over decades of use as a term of abuse. It is now exclusively a racial slur.
Yes. In the UK, using it in a public context against someone can be prosecuted as a hate crime or a public order offense. In workplaces and schools, it constitutes serious harassment.
Its offensiveness grew over time. While sometimes used casually and unthinkingly in the mid-20th century, it was always rooted in othering. By the 1970s, its use was clearly recognized as derogatory and racist by the communities it targeted.
Use "Pakistani" as the neutral demonym. If referring to a broader group, "South Asian" or "British Asian" may be appropriate depending on context. Always refer to people as they wish to be identified.
An offensive ethnic slur referring to a person of Pakistani descent or, by extension, a person of South Asian appearance.
Paki is usually taboo, highly offensive, derogatory in register.
Paki: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpæk.i/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpæk.i/ or /ˈpɑː.ki/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None. The word does not form part of idiomatic expressions in standard English.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
[Not provided due to the offensive nature of the word. Mnemonics are inappropriate.]
Conceptual Metaphor
[Not applicable]
Practice
Quiz
In which context might the word 'paki' be found in an acceptable academic text?