Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

gaijin

Noun

/ˈɡaɪdʒɪn/

Definition

A Japanese term used to refer to a foreigner, particularly someone from the West.

Examples

When traveling in Japan, you may hear locals refer to each other as gaijin when talking about foreigners.
Some expatriates in Japan have mixed feelings about the term gaijin, finding it both descriptive and a bit isolating.

Meaning

The word ‘gaijin’ is often used in Japan to denote a non-Japanese person. It can sometimes carry nuances of being an outsider, and while it’s not inherently derogatory, its usage may depend on the context and tone.