外国人
gaikokujin[ɡa̠iko̞kɯ̟ʑĩɴ]
The Japanese phrase for foreigner is 外国人 (gaikokujin) (gaijin).
The term is used to describe a person who is not a citizen of Japan.
Which one should you use?
While gaijin is a common abbreviation, the full form gaikokujin is considered more polite and formal.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
gaikokujin is the formal and polite way to say foreigner in Japanese, making it the standard term for news reporting, official documents and polite conversation. In contrast, gaijin is an informal and colloquial version. Because it is a shortened form, gaijin can sometimes carry a slightly exclusionary or blunt nuance depending on the context.
How do you pronounce it?
gaikokujin
Did you know?
- The term gaijin is often used to describe anyone who looks non-Japanese, meaning a person of Japanese descent born abroad may still be called a gaijin.
- Japanese television has a specific professional role called gaijin talent, where non-Japanese people are hired specifically to perform the role of the 'foreigner' on variety shows.
- The term gaikokujin is composed of three distinct concepts: 'outside', 'country', and 'person'. While English uses a single word, Japanese explicitly builds the meaning by layering the idea of 'external' and 'nation' before identifying the 'individual'.
Examples in context
- 彼は外国人です。Kare wa gaikokujin desu.He is a foreigner.
- あの外国人はとても親切です。Ano gaikokujin wa totemo shinsetsu desu.That foreigner is very kind.
- クラスには外国人がたくさんいます。Kurasu ni wa gaikokujin ga takusan imasu.There are many foreigners in the class.
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are talking about a new student in their language class.
- 結衣 Yui新しいクラスメイトは外国人ですか？Atarashii kurasumeito wa gaikokujin desu ka?Is the new classmate a foreigner?
- 健太 Kentaはい、アメリカ人です。Hai, Amerikajin desu.Yes, he is American.
- 結衣 Yui彼は日本語が上手ですね。Kare wa Nihongo ga jouzu desu ne.His Japanese is very good, isn't it?
- 健太 Kenta本当に上手ですよ。Hontou ni jouzu desu yo.He really is good.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 外国人, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
