Meaning

Primary

Foreign Person

Alternative

Foreigner

Word Type

noun

Explanation

You know 外人 the word that means "foreigner," but that word is a bit informal and can come off as rude. The nicer, more politically correct version of the word is the one above. An outside country person. To differentiate this from "foreigner" we're going to use the more polite English version of this word as well (just like in Japanese): Foreign Person.

Reading

がいこくじん
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. Since has two on'yomi readings, here's a mnemonic to help you remember which one to use:

Remember how to spot a foreigner? That's right, they'll be in jeans (じん)!

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 外国人に学ぶ

    to learn from a foreign person

    外国人になる

    to become a foreign person

    外国人にきく

    to ask a foreign person

Context Sentences

六月に外国人の友人が日本に来ます。

My foreign friends are coming to Japan in June.

バーの入り口には外国人がたくさんいました。

There were many foreigners at the entrance of the bar.

お父さんだって、外国に行ったら「外国人」になるんだよ。

Dad, if you go abroad, you become a foreigner too.

Kanji Composition