Historical term for uncivilized people, often used in classical or historical contexts. Can be derogatory when applied to modern groups.
Derogatory term for a foreigner, reflecting an old-fashioned xenophobic viewpoint. Not used in neutral modern Japanese.
In ancient China, surrounding ethnic groups were called barbarians.
He got angry at being treated like a foreign barbarian.
From Chinese 夷人 (yírén), where 夷 referred to non-Chinese ethnic groups. Adopted into Japanese with the same meaning, retaining a historical and often derogatory nuance.