Chinese word

移民

Pronunciation

Pinyinyí mín

Meaning

  • nounimmigrant

Example

我们有很多移民朋友。wǒ men yǒu hěn duō yí mín péng yǒu

We have many immigrant friends.

Illustration for 移民 (immigrant)

More examples

政府正在讨论如何应对移民潮。zhèng fǔ zhèng zài tǎo lùn rú hé yìng duì yí mín cháo

The government is discussing how to respond to the wave of immigration.

Core concept

A person who carries a settled life across a national or regional border and builds a lasting home in a new place.

Common phrases

  • 非法移民fēi fǎ yí mín

    illegal immigrant

  • 移民潮yí mín cháo

    wave of immigration

  • 移民社区yí mín shè qū

    immigrant community

Similar words

难民nàn mín: A person who flees war or persecution and seeks safety in another country.
外来人口wài lái rén kǒu: A general term for people who come from other places to live in a particular region.

Definition in Chinese

从一个国家或地区迁移到另一个国家或地区并在新处长期居住的人。cóng yí gè guó jiā huò dì qū qiān yí dào lìng yí gè guó jiā huò dì qū bìng zài xīn chù cháng qī jū zhù de rén

Word origin

移 (yí, "move") + 民 (mín, "people") combines a movement character with one for people to name a person who establishes a lasting home elsewhere.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, this word usually suggests long-term resettlement, not a short visit, temporary study period, or brief work assignment.

Opposites

  • 本地居民běn dì jū mínlocal residentnoun
  • 本国公民běn guó gōng míncitizen of one's own countrynoun

Related words

  • 移民政策yí mín zhèng cèimmigration policynoun
  • 移民潮yí mín cháowave of immigrationnoun

Word lists with this word