Translation guide
Refers to people of Chinese descent living outside China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. The Japanese terms vary by context, generation, and formality.
To refer to ethnic Chinese living abroad in a neutral, descriptive way.
He is a third-generation overseas Chinese.
Literally 'Chinese people residing abroad'. More formal and bureaucratic, often used in official documents.
The overseas Chinese community is growing.
A more specific phrase meaning 'Chinese people living overseas'. Used in news reports and statistics.
The number of Chinese people living overseas is on the rise.
To refer to people of Chinese descent who have taken citizenship in another country.
To talk about the collective group or network of overseas Chinese.
華僑 (kakyō) typically refers to overseas Chinese who still hold Chinese nationality, while 華人 (kajin) refers to ethnic Chinese who have taken foreign citizenship. In casual conversation, 華僑 is often used broadly for all overseas Chinese, but in formal contexts the distinction matters.
When describing Chinese Americans, Chinese Canadians, etc., use 中国系 + nationality (e.g., 中国系アメリカ人). This is the most natural way to express 'Chinese-[nationality]' in Japanese.
She is a Chinese Canadian.
I am researching the history of the Chinese diaspora.