waa4 jan4華人华人
Jyutpingwaa4 jan4
Yalewàh yàhn
Definition
An ethnic Chinese person, especially when referring to those living overseas.
neutralpeople
How it's used
Distinguish this from 中國人, which specifically refers to citizens of the People's Republic of China. Use this term to describe ethnic Chinese people living outside of China, regardless of their current nationality or cultural assimilation. It carries a sense of shared ancestry rather than political allegiance.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Many people of Chinese descent have immigrated to live in the UK.
Are you a first-generation Chinese immigrant?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to refer to someone born and raised in mainland China, as they would typically be called 中國人. Using this term for a mainland citizen can sound like you are distancing them from their home country.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
