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土人 (どじん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Meanings 1
noun
native ; aboriginal person
Refers to indigenous people, but often carries a derogatory or colonial-era nuance. Modern usage is generally avoided in favor of more respectful terms.
Similar words 先せん 住じゅう 民みん The standard, respectful term for indigenous peoples. 土人 is outdated and often offensive.
原げん 住じゅう 民みん Also means native/indigenous people, but less pejorative than 土人. Still, 先住民 is generally preferred.
Etymology Compound of 土 (do, 'earth, land') and 人 (jin, 'person'), literally 'person of the land'. The term originated as a neutral descriptor but acquired derogatory connotations through colonial usage.
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呼よ
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In old documents, indigenous people are sometimes referred to as 'dojin'.