Hakujin vs Gaijin: What Do These Words Mean?

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Language is full of words that carry history and emotions. In Japan, two words that often come up when talking about people who are not Japanese are “hakujin” and “gaijin”. But these words are very different in how they are used and how they make people feel.

Let’s break it down in a simple way so everyone can understand.

Hakujin: What It Means

  • “Hakujin” (白人) is a Japanese word that means “white person”.
  • It’s made up of two parts:
    • Haku (白): Means “white.”
    • Jin (人): Means “person.”

So, “hakujin” is used to describe someone who is white or of European descent.
It’s similar to how people in English might say “Caucasian.”

Gaijin: What It Means

  • “Gaijin” (外人) is another Japanese word. It means “foreigner” or “outsider.”
  • It’s made up of:
    • Gai (外): Means “outside.”
    • Jin (人): Again, means “person.”

When you put it together, “gaijin” literally means “outside person.”

How Are These Words Different?

  1. Who the Words Are About:
    • Hakujin is very specific. It’s only for white people.
    • Gaijin is broader. It can mean anyone who is not Japanese, no matter their skin color or where they’re from.
  2. How People Feel About the Words:
    • Hakujin is a neutral term. It’s just describing someone’s ethnicity.
    • Gaijin can feel negative. Some people think it makes non-Japanese people feel like they don’t belong. It’s like saying, “You’re not one of us.”

Why Do These Words Matter?

Words are powerful. They can make people feel welcome or excluded.

  • If someone calls you “hakujin,” they are just talking about your background.
  • If someone calls you “gaijin,” it might feel like they’re drawing a line between “us” (Japanese) and “you” (foreigner).

Some people now prefer to say “gaikokujin” (外国人) instead of “gaijin.” It means the same thing—“foreigner”—but it’s more polite and less harsh.

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What Can We Learn?

  1. Words carry feelings, so use them kindly.
  2. If you’re not sure how a word might make someone feel, ask or use a more neutral term.
  3. Understanding these words helps us respect cultures and people better.

In the end, it’s not just about the words. It’s about how we treat each other with kindness and respect. Whether you’re called “hakujin” or “gaijin,” remember: everyone belongs somewhere, and we’re all human first.