白人
báirén/paɪ̯³⁵ ɻən³⁵/
In Chinese, the phrase for 'white person' is 白人 (báirén).
白人 is a common and neutral way to refer to a person of white race. While it describes race, it should not be confused with terms used to describe non-racial characteristics, such as the color of a white shirt.
What does it mean word for word?
白人 is composed of 白, meaning 'white' and 人, meaning 'person'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The informal term 鬼佬 is particularly common in Cantonese-speaking regions like Hong Kong.
How do you pronounce it?
báirén
Did you know?
- The color 白 (white) is traditionally associated with mourning and death in Chinese culture, unlike its association with purity in the West.
- In certain Cantonese contexts, the slang term 鬼佬 literally translates to 'ghost man'.
- In some older or more literary contexts, European foreigners were called 洋人, which literally means 'ocean person'.
Examples in context
- 他是一个白人。He is a white person.
- 那个白人很友好。Nàge báirén hěn yǒuhǎo.That white person is very friendly.
- 他是第一个白人。Tā shì dì yī gè báirén.He is the first white person.
- 我见过很多白人。Wǒ jiànguò hěnduō báirén.I have seen many white people.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a new neighbor.
- 志强 Zhiqiang新邻居是白人吗？Xīn línjū shì báirén ma?Is the new neighbor a white person?
- 佳怡 Jiayi是的，他是个白人。Shì de, tā shì gè báirén.Yes, he is a white person.
- 志强 Zhiqiang他看起来很随和。Tā kàn qǐlái hěn suíhe.He looks very easygoing.
- 佳怡 Jiayi我也这么觉得。Wǒ yě zhème juéde.I think so too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 白人, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
