Translation guide
Describing or referring to a white person in Japanese, with attention to natural phrasing, politeness, and context.
To state that a person is white (Caucasian) in a neutral, descriptive way.
The standard, neutral term for a white person. Can be used in most contexts, but be aware that in some sensitive discussions it may sound clinical or racial.
彼は白人です。
He is a white person.
白人の友達がいます。
I have a white friend.
A slightly softer, more person-focused way to say 'white person'. Literally 'person of white race'.
あの白人の人は誰ですか？
Who is that white person?
Formal, anthropological term for the white race. Rare in everyday conversation.
白色人種に分類される。
Classified as belonging to the white race.
To mention a white person without explicitly using racial terms, often by describing appearance or origin.
In many situations, it's more natural and polite to refer to someone by their nationality (e.g., アメリカ人, イギリス人) or region (e.g., 欧米人) rather than race. This avoids potential awkwardness.
あのアメリカ人の男性。
That American man.
欧米からの観光客が多い。
There are many tourists from the West.
Literally 'person with white skin'. A descriptive phrase that focuses on skin color rather than race. Can be used neutrally, but may be considered too direct in some contexts.
肌が白い人が多い国。
A country with many fair-skinned people.
Literally 'blonde person'. Only appropriate if the person actually has blonde hair. Often used as a stereotypical descriptor for Westerners.
Only use if the person is actually blonde; otherwise it's inaccurate and may sound stereotypical.
金髪の女性が道を尋ねてきた。
A blonde woman asked me for directions.
To refer to a white person in very informal, sometimes derogatory or jocular contexts. Use with extreme caution.
A common but often controversial term for 'foreigner', frequently applied to white people. Can be neutral among close friends, but many consider it exclusionary or rude. Safer alternatives are 外国人 (がいこくじん) or specific nationality.
Avoid using 外人 in formal settings or with people you don't know well; it can be offensive.
あの外人、日本語上手だね。
That foreigner speaks Japanese well.
A derogatory slang term for a white person, analogous to a racial slur. Extremely offensive and should never be used.
Do not use this word; it is highly offensive.
彼は白んぼと呼ばれて怒った。
He got angry when called a whitey.
In Japanese culture, directly pointing out someone's race can be considered rude or overly blunt. It's often better to use nationality or descriptive phrases unless race is specifically relevant.
あの方はどちらの国から来られたんですか？
Which country is that person from?
白人 (はくじん) specifically means 'white person' by race. 欧米人 (おうべいじん) means 'Westerner' (person from Europe or America) and is often used as a less racially charged alternative, though it can still be imprecise.
彼は白人だが、欧米人ではない。
He is white, but not a Westerner.