Are the Chinese Names for Foreigners Offensive?

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00:00 - Intro
00:28 - Center of the world
01:37 - Lao Wai
03:58 - Wai Guo Ren
04:13 - Yang Ren
05:34 - Xi Fang
06:02 - Gwai Lou

Today we explore the different terms used in Chinese to refer to foreigners, including lǎowài (老外), yángrén (洋人), and the Cantonese guìlǎo (鬼佬), discussing their origins, meanings, and evolving connotations.

Lǎowài (老外), which literally means "old outsider," is a casual, informal term used to refer to foreigners, often with a friendly or familiar tone. It's similar to calling someone "buddy" and became popular in the 1980s as China opened up economically. While the term is generally not disrespectful, it is not used in formal contexts, where terms like wàiguó rén (外国人, "foreign country person") are more common.

Yángrén (洋人), literally "ocean people," has a historical background tied to China's maritime trade and interactions with the West during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It was originally used to describe Westerners or foreigners in general but is now less common and considered more formal.

Guìlǎo (鬼佬), a Cantonese term meaning "ghost guy" or "tricky guy," originated during the British colonial period in Hong Kong. Initially condescending, it has since evolved into a more casual or even endearing term, though its usage can still vary depending on context and speaker.


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