Decoding Asian Lexicon:

Names for White/Western Individuals Across Asian Countries

Cultural diversity is an integral part of our global society, and the way we refer to people from different backgrounds can vary across regions. In Asia, the names given to white Westerners or individuals of European descent reflect unique linguistic and historical influences.

"orang puteh"

In Brunei, the term commonly used to refer to white Westerners or people of European descent is “orang puteh” (pronounced “or-ang poo-teh”). This term translates to “white person” in Malay, which is the official language of Brunei. It is a general term used to describe Caucasians or individuals with fair skin from Western countries. The term is typically used in a neutral and descriptive manner, without any negative connotations.

"barang"

In Cambodia, white Western people are often referred to as “barang”. The term is widely used and is generally neutral, but context and intent are always important. In more formal settings or discussions, Westerners might be referred to by their nationality, such as “American” or “British”.

"laowai"

In China, white Western people are often referred to as “laowai”, which literally translates to “old foreigner”. This term is commonly used in colloquial speech to refer to foreigners, particularly those of Western descent. However, it’s worth noting that while “laowai” is generally used casually and not intended to be offensive, some people might find it disrespectful depending on the context.

A more formal term is “waiguoren”, which translates to “foreigner”. In more formal settings or in media, “waiguoren” is generally preferred.

People might also be referred to by their nationality, like “Meiguo ren” for American or “Yingguo ren” for British.

"firangi - phirangi"

In India, the term commonly used to refer to white Westerners or people of European descent is “firangi” or “phirangi” (pronounced “fee-rung-ee”). This term originated from the Hindi word “firang,” which means “foreigner.” It is often used to describe Caucasians or individuals with fair skin from Western countries. The term is typically used in a neutral or descriptive manner, although it can sometimes carry a hint of curiosity or fascination with foreigners. It’s important to note that India is a diverse country with multiple languages and cultures, and there may be regional variations in the terms used to refer to white Westerners.

"bule"

In Indonesia, white Western people are often referred to as “bule”. The term “bule” is used colloquially to refer to foreigners, especially those of European descent. However, the term can sometimes be seen as derogatory or pejorative, depending on context and intent. In more formal contexts, Westerners might be referred to by their nationality, such as “Amerika” for Americans or “Inggris” for British.

"gaijin"

In Japan, Western people, including those who are white, are often referred to as “gaijin”, which literally translates to “outside person”. This term is used to refer to non-Japanese people or foreigners in general. However, “gaijin” can sometimes have a negative connotation, depending on context and intent.

In more formal settings or in the media, the term “gaikokujin” is usually preferred which also means foreigner but is less likely to be taken as offensive.

Like in many other countries, people might also be referred to by their nationality, like “Amerika-jin” for American or “Igirisu-jin” for British.

"falang - farang"

In Laos, white Westerners or people of European descent are commonly referred to as “falang” or “farang” (pronounced “fa-lang” or “fa-rang”). The term originates from the Thai language and has been adopted in the Lao language as well. It is a general term used to describe foreigners, particularly white individuals from Western countries. The term is used in a neutral manner without negative connotations and is often used simply to denote someone who is not from Laos or of Lao descent.

"mat salleh"

In Malaysia, the term “mat salleh” is often used colloquially to refer to white Western people. The term is derived from local languages and is believed to have originated as a reference to British colonial figures. Similar to the term “ang moh” in Singapore, the term “mat salleh” can sometimes be seen as pejorative or derogatory, depending on the context and intent.

Malaysia is also a multicultural and multilingual society with Malay, English, Mandarin, and Tamil widely spoken. Hence, Western people might also be referred to by their nationality (like “American” or “British”) or as “orang putih” (literally meaning “white people”) in a more neutral context.

"хар барах - khar barakh"

In Mongolia, white Westerners or people of European descent are commonly referred to as “хар барах” (pronounced “khar barakh”). This term translates to “white person” in Mongolian. It is a general term used to describe Caucasians or individuals with fair skin from Western countries. The term is used in a neutral and descriptive manner without any negative connotations. It simply serves as a way to distinguish individuals of European or Western origin from the local Mongolian population.

"ဝေါဟာရသူ - we hta ya thu"

In Myanmar, white Westerners or people of European descent are commonly referred to as “ဝေါဟာရသူ” (pronounced “we hta ya thu”). This term translates to “white person” in Burmese, the official language of Myanmar. It is a general term used to describe Caucasians or individuals with fair skin from Western countries. The term is used in a neutral and descriptive manner without any negative connotations. It simply serves as a way to distinguish individuals of European or Western origin from the local population in Myanmar.

"kano - puti"

In the Philippines, white Western people are often referred to as “kano”, short for “Amerikano” (American). Despite this, the term is generally used to refer to any white person, not just Americans.

Another term that is sometimes used is “puti” which is the Tagalog word for “white.”

"ang moh"

In Singapore, the term “ang moh” is often used to refer to white Western people. It is derived from the Hokkien dialect, and it literally translates to “red-haired.” However, it’s important to note that the term can sometimes be seen as pejorative or derogatory, and its use is dependent on context and intent.

English is widely spoken, so often Western people might just be referred to by their nationality (like “American” or “British”) or simply as “foreigner”.

"외국인 - wegookin"

In South Korea, white Western people are often referred to as “외국인” (pronounced “wegookin”), which translates to “foreigner”. The term is used generally for foreigners of all backgrounds, not just Westerners or white people.

For Westerners specifically, the term “서구인” (pronounced “seoguin”) might be used, which means “Western person”.

Like in many other countries, people might also be referred to by their nationality, like “미국인” (pronounced “migookin”) for American or “영국인” (pronounced “yeonggookin”) for British.

It’s important to note that context and intent are always significant when using these terms. They are generally neutral but can be seen as offensive if used in a negative or derogatory manner.

"Suddha - Suddhi"

In Sri Lanka, white Westerners or people of European descent are commonly referred to as “Suddha” or “Suddhi” (pronounced “sud-da” or “sud-dee”). This term is derived from the Sinhala language, which is one of the official languages of Sri Lanka. It is a general term used to describe Caucasians or individuals with fair skin from Western countries. The term is commonly used in a neutral and descriptive manner without negative connotations. It is worth noting that Sri Lanka is a multicultural country, and different communities and individuals may have their own preferred terms or variations of addressing white Western people.

English is widely spoken, so often Western people might just be referred to by their nationality (like “American” or “British”) or simply as “foreigner”.

"洋人" (yáng rén) - "老外" (lǎo wài)

In Taiwan, white Westerners or people of European descent are commonly referred to as “洋人” (yáng rén) or “老外” (lǎo wài). These terms translate to “foreigner” or “foreign person” in Mandarin Chinese. They are general terms used to describe individuals from Western countries, including those with white or Caucasian features. The terms are typically used in a neutral and descriptive manner, without inherently negative connotations. It’s important to note that Taiwan is a diverse and multicultural society, and different individuals may have their own preferences in terms of how they refer to people from Western countries.

"farang"

In Thailand, white Western people are often referred to as “farang”. The term “farang” is derived from the Thai language and is generally used to refer to people of European descent or Western foreigners in general. It’s also used to describe things that are considered Western or foreign in nature.

It should be noted that while the term is widely used, its connotation can depend on context. It is generally neutral, but it can be perceived as derogatory if used in a negative context.

In more formal or official settings, people might be referred to by their nationality (like “American” or “British”).

"người Tây"

In Vietnam, white Western people are often referred to as “Tây”, which is short for “người Tây” and translates to “Western person”. It’s a fairly neutral term, but as with any cultural reference, it should be used respectfully. In more formal contexts, people might be referred to by their nationality (like “Mỹ” for American or “Anh” for British).

It’s essential to recognize that these terms can vary in usage and connotations. While some are neutral or descriptive, others may carry negative or stereotypical implications. When engaging with people from different backgrounds, it is crucial to approach conversations with respect, sensitivity, and an understanding of cultural differences.