About Japanese word "ガイジン Gai-jin"
This time, I will introduce topics related to Japanese.
I think that you who are reading this article are not a little interested in Japanese. Or maybe you are already studying Japanese at school.
I am happy that you are interested in Japan and Japanese. So I started this blog.
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| About Japanese word "ガイジン Gai-jin" |
As you continue to study Japanese, you will eventually learn this word.
"Gai-jin 外人 ガイジン"
In Japan, the word "Gai-Ijin" is used to describe foreigners. This word means people from outside Japan or people living in countries other than Japan.
I am a Japanese born about 50 years ago. This word existed in Japan before I was born. And at that time, there were far fewer foreigners in Japan than there are now.
When I was a child, I rarely saw foreigners. Why did I realize they were foreigners just by looking at them? They were clearly different from the colors of people's faces and hair that I am used to seeing.
Today, society has become increasingly globalized, and many foreigners can be seen in Japan. But from the Japanese point of view, they still remain foreigners to the Japanese.
If you've never been to Japan before, you'll take it for granted. But in modern Japan, the number of "Japanese born in Japan who look like foreigners" is increasing.
For example, Rugby national team player Koutarou Matsushima and Rui Hachimura of the NBA Washington Wizards are both Japanese.
Although they are Japanese, there is a tendency in Japan for many Japanese to still see them as "foreigner".
I think they must feel very bad about it. They just walk outside and Japanese people who pass by look at them like celebrities.
Japan has been an island nation since way back. That's why Japanese distinguish people from outside Japan as "people who are different from us".
Even though they were born and raised in Japan, they have always been "foreigner" to the Japanese. But I don't want you to misunderstand. We are not being mean to them. However, many Japanese are still not used to communicating with foreigners.
As you continue to study Japanese Kanji, you will eventually come to know this word.
"害 がい gai = harm"
This word means harm. It is pronounced the same way as "Gai" by a foreigner. Japanese people never think of foreigners as "harmful". However, the pronunciation of these two Kanji is the same, so many people seem to dislike being called "Gai-jin".
Many of us Japanese cannot speak foreign languages such as English. Even though Japanese have been studying English at school for over 10 years. I am also not good at speaking in English...
That's why we are not good at actively communicating with foreigners who have come to Japan. But don't get us wrong. Japanese don't avoid foreigners. We don't know how to communicate.
Try speaking to them in Japanese. Japanese people will be happy if you learn Japanese and communicate with them. If many Japanese find it fun to communicate with you, I think they may learn a foreign language on their own.
Things won't change anytime soon. But as interaction between Japanese and foreigners advances, the word "Gai-jin" may disappear from this country.
I want you to understand not only Japanese but also Japanese people and Japanese culture. All you have to do is say "I like Japan." in a conversation with them and they will definitely love you.
Thank you for reading.
