Translation guide
The fear or dislike of people from other countries or cultures. In Japanese, this concept is often expressed through specific terms describing attitudes toward foreigners, ranging from formal sociological terms to casual expressions of discomfort.
A xenophobic attitude is not good.
A more formal term meaning 'exclusionism' or 'anti-foreignism', often used in political or sociological contexts.
排外主義が高まっている。
Xenophobia is on the rise.
A clinical or psychological term directly translating to 'foreigner phobia'. Rare in everyday speech.
外国人恐怖症は精神疾患の一つとされる。
Xenophobia is considered a type of mental disorder.
Describing a feeling of unease or awkwardness when interacting with people from other cultures, without necessarily implying hatred.
Literally 'not used to foreigners'. This phrase explains discomfort as a lack of exposure rather than active dislike.
外国人に慣れていないので、緊張する。
I'm not used to foreigners, so I get nervous.
Means 'to have a sense of being bad at dealing with foreigners'. It conveys a personal weakness rather than prejudice.
外国人に対して苦手意識があるけど、話してみたい。
I feel awkward around foreigners, but I want to try talking to them.
Referring to actions or policies that discriminate against or exclude foreigners.
Directly means 'discrimination against foreigners'. Widely understood and used in discussions about social issues.
外国人差別は許されない。
Discrimination against foreigners is unacceptable.
Means 'to exclude or drive out foreigners'. Often used in political rhetoric.
その政策は外国人を排斥するものだ。
That policy is one that excludes foreigners.
The English word 'xenophobia' is often used broadly, but direct translations like 外国人恐怖症 are clinical and rarely used. In most contexts, it's better to use phrases like 外国人嫌い or describe the specific behavior or feeling.
彼は外国人嫌いだ。
He is xenophobic.
外国人嫌い is a general term for personal dislike, while 排外主義 refers to an ideology or movement that seeks to exclude foreigners. The former is more about individual attitude, the latter about collective or political stance.