Read an artical yesterday regarding a very common question among my foreign friends in China, "Why do Chinese often use Lǎowài老外 ” to refer to foreigners?"
It's interesting, let me share with you here.
ChinesePal
Does only show old age? There’s a few things you should know about “老Old” in Chinese culture.
When you’re in China, you might notice just how often the word is used all around you. The frequent use is actually on account of its various meanings and the flexibility in its usage depending on situation. Literally, means“old age or a long time.”
However, once it’s put together with other characters, the meaning varies. Let’s take a closer look at this necessary and versatile word.
#1 To show respect
ChinesePal
In Chinese, we usually put after the surname of the elderly to express respect, for examples, , , and so on. [, and are three common Chinese surnames.]
Additionally, putting in front of a person’s title conveys the same degree of respect as shown above, for examples, (teacher), (aged expert ), (aged professor), and ( old doctor of Chinese traditional medicine).
Sometimes, we use not only to show respect but to also add a hint of reverence for those we mention. For examples, ( God or Heaven), (manager), and (boss) all have that added tone of esteem when spoken.
Moreover, if you have plans to visit China in the future, an important note to keep in mind is that the Chinese term for foreigners, , is used to show a kind of respect with hospitality.
ChinesePal
#2 To convey the idea of a close relationship
ChinesePal
For peers and colleagues, denotes a certain degree of warmth and confidence.,,,, and all express this point by placing in front of a surname.
ChinesePal
Similarly, a wife might call her husband , and a husband might call his wife . Children call their dad and their mom . An elderly couple may also call each other .
#3 To express the meaning of old or original
ChinesePal
#4 To express the meaning of old or original
Common Chinese words to convey the meaning of old or original are (an old acquaintance), (old neighbor), (an old classmate), (old friend), ( an original/usual place) and (old weakness/trouble).
ChinesePal
#5 To express very or extremely
This usage originated within dialects of northeast China, but today is in wide use in other regions as well, for examples, (such a long way), (very very early), (extremely good) etc.
ChinesePal
#6 To indicate order
ChinesePal
We can put a number after the word to express the order or rank among brothers and sisters, for examples, the eldest child, the second oldest, the third oldest and so on
ChinesePal
#7 To mean "always"
Last, can be used to describe the high frequency of a situation, such as (constant illness), (always late) etc.
Practice: Choose the correct answer to the question.
1. How do you address your colleague Mr. Wang? ______
A. B.
C. D.
2.Tom，______, 。
A. B.
C. D.
Correct answers: 1. D 2. A
Do you have a basic idea now what dose Lǎowài老外 really mean? It's a combination of the above meanings, showing a casual, friendly, close relationship. No meaning of non-friendly or exclusion at all. Of course, if you did something really not good to a Chinese so that he or she may call you directly "You LaoWai...", it dose mean that it's some how angry expression :).
Cheers to your happiness.
Frank Wu from Shanghai, SN Mandarin
Tags:Language & Culture Teaching & Learning Visa & Legalities
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I'm a laowai and proud. I even have a t-shirt that says this. I think it's suh a great word because of the tones and the way it rolls off the tongue.
Apr 27, 2015 23:34 Report Abuse
I'm an old foreigner. I think I was born dark-skinned and Thai, but when I turned 30, I gained light skin and a British passport. That's how foreignland works.
Apr 26, 2015 13:24 Report Abuse
they call us laowai as they are racist jealous jerks……..yes you heard me. Next time i hear laowai I will say huang ren or chinky china man
Apr 25, 2015 23:20 Report Abuse
It is not hard to see why cross cultural confusion is so easy. The Collins Chinese/English Dictionary has the core meaning of lao with the third tone as 'old' and is used as a prefix/start for many combined words with a very diverse range of meanings. In the same dictionary the English word of foreigner has only one listed Chinese word , that is 'waiguoren'. (Excuse the lack of tonal accents or characters). From my limited experience there is a deep and almost universal 'concern' or 'anxiety', lets call it, in the minds of Chinese people for foreigners/outsiders which I suspect is an historical artifact. In Australia we have a word 'bastard' which can be used as a term of friendship/mateship, or one of unfriendly comment, or as an expression of anger or as a very personal insult. Whichever it is depends on who, where, towards whom, the context and the tone. So our language has many complexities as well. However I would never consider using that word in the presence or aimed at any non-Australian or in an open social setting because I know it can be taken the wrong way. So my personal view is that if Chinese people are concerned about having to explain what such a word means in an effort to stop offence, then maybe it would be much more effective for relations if the word 'waiguoren' was used instead. We all need to avoid being trapped in our own history.
Apr 16, 2015 10:17 Report Abuse
I think it actually comes down to the tone. You can see afroamericans calling themselves "yo muh nigga" without any degrading meaning behind it, while you can also hear the "nigga" word as an insult. Same in spanish when they use "gringo" for americans. The word gringo in its origins is believed to mean "green (suit soldier) go away" hence "grin-go", thought the word is widely used (both in south america and spain) as a friendly name for north americans, and sometimes as a slur. It depends on the tone I guess.
Apr 14, 2015 12:13 Report Abuse
What a strange text... questions with given answers but no actual answers posted. Chinese words explained without actually mentioning the words... Wow! Respect! You are so lao!
Apr 08, 2015 12:06 Report Abuse
Yeah, I saw your comment. Some of mine were deleted as well. I didn't think the comment warranted deletion. Adults visit this site, not kids... they can judge for themselves. If they keep this up, this website will become like Ordos in Inner Mongolia.
Apr 08, 2015 10:04 Report Abuse
I saw my comment deleted too. Double standards much? They allow "Laowai" to be plastered all over the pages, but that's an "acceptable" racial slur. The admins don't tolerate any racist speech, except when they completely do.
Apr 08, 2015 21:25 Report Abuse
Frank, laowai（老外） is not a term of endearment, perhaps it can be used in such a manner between friends, but in general it is an aspect of xenophobia present in Chinese culture. 外国人 (foreigner)，老外 (foreigner)， 鬼(ghost, foreigner)， 外地人(outsider) are all terms used that have a connotation of fear and misunderstanding. Words such as 老板（boss) are used to show reverence, while 老外 is a term that indicates we are not part of your society; we are inherently different and we are looking in from the outside and therefore not capable of truly grasping what is happening around us.
Apr 07, 2015 22:43 Report Abuse
Bugger off apologist. If another human being doesn't refer to you by name then they are not your friend.
Apr 07, 2015 21:17 Report Abuse
Yet another post by a racist apologist. Maybe the author really thinks that we're dumb and naive enough accept the weak arguments, or knows we aren't buying it, and just insulting our intelligence outright.
Apr 07, 2015 19:23 Report Abuse
It's not an offensive term so much as an ignorant term (really depends on the tone and body language used). Calling anyone an "old outsider" constantly is never going to gain their affection. You are constantly reminding them that they are not in the "inner-circle" or belong. This has been addressed many times on this website in the Q&A section but basically most Chinese know the difference of the terms. It goes like this: - lao wai (coldest term) - wai guo ren (still cold but a little more polite) - wai guo peng you (the most polite term without knowing your name) - And finally your name... (if you got a Chinese one this helps) They will ALWAYS use your name once they learn it. Most Chinese do know that outright calling someone a "lao wai" is not polite and quick notification to other Chinese that you (the person using that term) are not well traveled and most likely some sort of uneducated person.
Apr 06, 2015 21:44 Report Abuse
You failed to mention an even less friendly connotation with the term "wai guo lao" 外国佬 (in which I interpret as "foreign bastard") - And don't forget the ignorant sneers when these terms are thrown out. My young bi-racial son is often jeered with the added term “xiao lao wai” or simply “xiao-wai”小外 - To which they make him feel like he comes from Mars (when in fact, he was born in China)!!! He hates it and wonders why he has to hear this everyday by both young and old. Most of these terms used are simply de-humanizing, to say the least. Often they are said with "no feeling" 没有人性 or no thought for their fellow human beings!
Apr 17, 2015 17:22 Report Abuse
my son is called 'xiao Lao wai' too! I think it's cute. sorry to hear your son and you have an issue with this. there is absolutely no negative connotation intended as its a term of endearment.
Apr 27, 2015 23:29 Report Abuse
Well people make him feel like a freak when he hears the terms - In retrospect, kids refused to play with him because they felt he was different! I don't know - maybe you are here just for a short while. For the long term, it gets old - although I am used to it since I'm older, my son endures endless branding, questions, and sometimes rejection! So much so, his Chinese mother absolutely hates taking him out in public to face this also. Just yesterday on a crowded bus, people did the same, not giving him a seat (until he spoke politely in Chinese asking where he could sit). Then finally someone else on the bus helped speak up for him, saying he's "just a kid, a good-looking kid"; after my son announced him being born in China, only then did they act like they could accept him - I try not to say too much, but see how things are played out. We heard comments all around us! Some positive, and of course, some just plain ignorant - they ask if we are from Pakistan, or Xinjiang; what nationality; openly comment on pigment and/or hair texture, language abilities, etc. We are just shopping or playing in the park, or having a meal, just like everyone else... Yet, I don't see the other kids being harrassed everyday they step out of the house. A child shouldn't have to grow up with so much stigma! It's one thing for other children, being children, yet when all around grown-ups can also be so insensitive - Yeah, we're tired of it! Good luck to you and your child's mental growth in China.
May 10, 2015 12:11 Report Abuse
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