外国人です
gaikokujin desu
The English phrase "I am a foreigner" is expressed in Japanese as 外国人です (gaikokujin desu).
This phrase is used to state that you are a citizen of a different country. In Japanese, the subject watashi wa (I) is often omitted when the context makes it clear that you are talking about yourself, so you may simply say 外国人です.
Which one should you use?
外国人だ is a general informal version, whereas Ore wa gaikokujin da and Boku wa gaikokujin da are specific ways to include the subject "I" in casual speech.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For more casual situations, you can use the informal 外国人だ. Among informal options, Ore wa gaikokujin da is more commonly used by males, while Boku wa gaikokujin da is used by both males and, less frequently, by females.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the past tense ("I was a foreigner"), change the polite copula desu to deshita, resulting in 外国人でした.
How do you pronounce it?
gaikokujin desu
Did you know?
- While gaikokujin is the standard term, you may encounter the word gaijin. This shortened version is sometimes viewed as exclusionary or derogatory because it emphasizes the 'outside' aspect of a person's identity.
- In Japan, the concept of being a 'foreigner' is often tied to ethnicity rather than citizenship. A person with Japanese citizenship who looks non-Japanese may still be treated or referred to as a gaikokujin.
- In some contexts, the phrase gaikokujin desu can be used as a social 'shield' to politely excuse a mistake in etiquette or a lack of fluency in the language.
Examples in context
- すみません、私は外国人です。Sumimasen, watashi wa gaikokujin desu.Excuse me, I am a foreigner.
- 私は外国人です、よろしくお願いします。Watashi wa gaikokujin desu, yoroshiku onegaishimasu.I am a foreigner, nice to meet you.
- 申し訳ありません、私は外国人です。Moushiwake arimasen, watashi wa gaikokujin desu.I am sorry, I am a foreigner.
Example conversation
Hiyori asks Daisho if he is from Japan.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔さんは日本人ですか？Daisho-san wa Nihonjin desu ka?Are you Japanese, Daisho?
- 大翔 Hirotoいいえ、私は外国人です。Iie, watashi wa gaikokujin desu.No, I am a foreigner.
- 陽葵 Himariそうなんですね。Sō nan desu ne.I see.
- 大翔 Hirotoアメリカから来ました。Amerika kara kimashita.I came from America.
