Japanese word

外国人

Pronunciation

Romajigaikokujin

Meaning

  • nounforeigner

Example

あの人は外国人です。a no hito wa gai koku jin de su

That person is a foreigner.

Illustration for 外国人 (foreigner)

More examples

駅で外国人に道を教えました。eki de gai koku jin ni michi o oshi e ma shi ta

I gave a foreigner directions at the station.

Core concept

Centers on a person regarded as belonging to a country other than the one being discussed.

Common phrases

  • 外国人と話すgai koku jin to hana su

    talk with a foreigner

  • 外国人に道を聞くgai koku jin ni michi o ki ku

    ask a foreigner for directions

  • 外国人観光客gai koku jin kan kō kyaku

    foreign tourist

Similar words

外人gaijin: A casual term for a person from another country that can sound less neutral in formal speech.

Definition in Japanese

基準とする国とは別の国の国籍を持つ人。ki jun to su ru kuni to wa betsu no kuni no koku seki o mo tsu hito

Word origin

外国人 (gaikokujin) combines 外 (gai, "outside"), 国 (koku, "country"), and 人 (jin, "person") to mean a person from outside the country.

Usage tips

  • In everyday English, foreigner is common but can sound less neutral than foreign national, especially in formal contexts.

Other meanings

  • foreign nationalnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word