Translation guide
The English word 'foreign' is used to describe things from other countries, people from other countries, or concepts that are unfamiliar or external. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 外国の (gaikoku no) for 'of a foreign country,' but there are many other expressions depending on context, including prefixes like 外- (gai-), words for specific types of foreign things, and terms for 'unfamiliar' or 'external.' This guide covers the main ways to express 'foreign' in Japanese, organized by meaning.
Describing something that originates from or is associated with a country other than Japan.
The most common and neutral way to say 'foreign' as an adjective. It literally means 'of a foreign country.' Used for languages, products, cultures, etc.
外国語を勉強しています。
I'm studying a foreign language.
外国の映画が好きです。
I like foreign movies.
Literally 'overseas,' often used interchangeably with 外国の but emphasizes the geographical aspect of being across the sea. Common in business and travel contexts.
海外旅行に行きたい。
I want to travel abroad.
海外の取引先と会議をした。
I had a meeting with an overseas client.
A prefix meaning 'foreign' or 'external,' used in many compound words. Often more formal or technical.
外資系企業で働いています。
I work for a foreign-affiliated company.
外貨を両替する。
Exchange foreign currency.
Literally 'of a different country,' this has a slightly literary or exotic nuance. Often used for 'exotic' or 'faraway' foreign things.
異国の文化に触れる。
Experience a foreign culture.
Referring to a person who is not Japanese.
Referring to languages other than Japanese, or loanwords.
Describing something that feels alien, unfamiliar, or not belonging.
Means 'heterogeneous' or 'different in nature.' Used when something feels foreign in the sense of being out of place or incompatible.
彼の考え方は私には異質に感じられた。
His way of thinking felt foreign to me.
Used in technical, medical, or formal contexts to mean 'coming from outside' or 'not inherent.'
Prefix meaning 'coming from outside,' used in words like 外来患者 (outpatient) or 外来種 (invasive species).
外来種が生態系に影響を与えている。
Foreign species are affecting the ecosystem.
Referring to diplomacy, relations with other countries.
Both mean 'foreign' or 'overseas,' but 外国 (gaikoku) refers to foreign countries in general, while 海外 (kaigai) emphasizes 'across the sea' and is often used for travel, business, or things physically overseas. 外国 is more abstract; 海外 is more geographical.
English uses 'foreign' as a standalone adjective, but in Japanese you usually need to attach it to a noun or use a compound. For example, 'foreign' by itself is not 外国 (gaikoku), which is a noun. Use 外国の (gaikoku no) to modify nouns, or use specific compounds like 外国語 (gaikokugo) for 'foreign language.'
外国人の友達を作りたい。
I want to make foreign friends.
この食べ物は私には異質な味がする。
This food tastes foreign to me.
外国からの投資が増えている。
Foreign investment is increasing.
The standard, neutral term for a foreign person. Can be used in most situations.
日本には多くの外国人が住んでいます。
Many foreigners live in Japan.
A more casual abbreviation of 外国人. Can be considered slightly blunt or impolite by some, though commonly used in informal speech. Use with caution.
Some people find this term offensive; 外国人 is safer in formal or polite contexts.
あの外人さん、日本語が上手だね。
That foreigner speaks Japanese well.
An old-fashioned or literary term for a foreigner, often implying someone strange or from a faraway land. Rarely used in modern conversation.
昔、異人が珍しかった。
Long ago, foreigners were rare.
The general term for a foreign language.
外国語を学ぶのは楽しい。
Learning a foreign language is fun.
Specifically refers to loanwords that have been adopted into Japanese, mostly from Western languages.
日本語には外来語が多い。
Japanese has many foreign loanwords.
Literally 'unknown,' used for things that are unfamiliar or unexplored, giving a sense of foreignness.
未知の世界に足を踏み入れる。
Step into a foreign world.
Means 'unfamiliar' or 'unaccustomed to.' Used when someone is not used to a foreign environment or situation.
外国の生活にまだ不慣れだ。
I'm still unfamiliar with life in a foreign country.
Means 'foreign object' or 'foreign substance,' often used in medical or safety contexts.
目に異物が入った。
A foreign object got into my eye.
Means 'external' or 'outside,' used in formal or academic contexts to contrast with internal factors.
外的要因を考慮する必要がある。
We need to consider foreign (external) factors.
Means 'diplomacy' or 'foreign affairs.' Used in political contexts.
日本の外交政策について議論する。
Discuss Japan's foreign policy.
Prefix meaning 'external' or 'foreign' in the sense of relations with other countries, e.g., 対外関係 (foreign relations).
対外債務が増加している。
Foreign debt is increasing.
The prefix 外来 (gairai) is very productive for words meaning 'foreign' or 'external' in technical contexts: 外来語 (loanword), 外来種 (invasive species), 外来患者 (outpatient). It implies something coming from outside.
The prefix 外来 (gairai) is very productive for words meaning 'foreign' or 'external' in technical contexts: 外来語 (loanword), 外来種 (invasive species), 外来患者 (outpatient). It implies something coming from outside.