Japanese word

外来

Pronunciation

Romajigairai

Meaning

  • nounforeign

Example

私は外来の文化を学びます。watashi wa gai rai no bun ka o mana bi ma su

I study foreign culture.

Illustration for 外来 (foreign)

More examples

日本語には多くの外来語が取り入れられています。nihon go ni wa ō ku no gai rai go ga to ri i re ra re te i ma su

Many loanwords have been incorporated into Japanese.

Core concept

Describes something that originates outside the local area and enters it from another country or culture.

Common phrases

  • 外来語gai rai go

    loanword

  • 外来文化gai rai bun ka

    foreign culture

  • 外来種gai rai shu

    introduced species

Similar words

舶来hakurai: An imported product or style, especially one associated with an earlier period.

Definition in Japanese

外国に由来し、国内に入ってきたもの。gai koku ni yu rai shi koku nai ni hai tte ki ta mo no

Word origin

外来 (gairai) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 外 (gai, "outside") and 来 (rai, "come"), literally referring to what comes from outside.

Usage tips

  • 外来 (gairai) sounds more formal and category-focused than 外国の (gaikoku no), so it often appears in terms for imported practices, products, or ideas.

Other meanings

  • importednoun

Opposites

  • 在来zairainativenoun

Related words

  • 外来性gairaiseiforeignnessnoun

Word lists with this word