白人
hakujin[ha̠kɯ̟ʑĩɴ]
The Japanese phrase for 'white person' is 白人 (hakujin).
白人 refers to a person with light skin, typically of European descent. While it is technically correct, using 白人 can sometimes sound overly clinical or sociological in casual conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji 白 (white) and 人 (person).
Which one should you use?
In many contexts, Japanese speakers prefer using 欧米人 (Westerner) to refer to people of European descent rather than the literal 白人 (white person). Additionally, 西洋人 is a formal term that literally translates to 'western person'.
How do you pronounce it?
hakujin
Did you know?
- In historical Japanese texts, foreigners including those from Europe were sometimes called 南蛮人 (nanbanjin), meaning 'Southern Barbarians'.
- In Japanese pop culture and anime, characters who are 'white' are sometimes described as having 白い肌 (white skin), which is often linked to a trope of fragility or supernatural purity.
- The word 白人 is part of a triad of color-coded terms for racial groups, including 黒人 for 'black person' and 黄人 for 'yellow person'.
Examples in context
- 私の友達は白人です。My friend is a white person.
- 彼は白人です。Kare wa hakujin desu.He is a white person.
- あの白人の男性は誰ですか？Ano hakujin no dansei wa dare desu ka?Who is that white man?
- 白人のモデルが広告に写っています。Hakujin no moderu ga koukoku ni utsutte imasu.A white model is in the advertisement.
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are looking at a foreign magazine.
- 結衣 Yuiこの白人の俳優、かっこいいね。Kono hakujin no haiyuu, kakkoii ne.This white actor is handsome, isn't he?
- 陽太 Yota本当だね。すごく有名なんだよ。Hontou da ne. Sugoku yuumei nanda yo.He really is. He is very famous.
- 結衣 Yui陽太さんは、彼を知ってる？Yota-san wa, kare o shitteru?Yota, do you know him?
- 陽太 Yota名前は知らないけど、顔は見たことあるよ。Namae wa shiranai kedo, kao wa mita koto aru yo.I don't know his name, but I've seen his face.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 白人, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
