Paleface Meaning in English

word

US

UK

Definition

An old-fashioned and now offensive term used mainly by Native Americans to refer to a white person.

Usage & Nuances

Now considered offensive or inappropriate. Seen mostly in historical contexts or old movies/books, especially in references to Native Americans. Never use for real people today—use 'white person' instead. Can sometimes appear in old Westerns or satirical contexts.

• Spanish: rostro pálido (histórico/despectivo) - cara pálida (histórico/despectivo)
• Portuguese (BR): cara pálida (histórico/ofensivo)
• Portuguese (PT): cara pálida (histórico/ofensivo)
• Chinese (Simplified): 白人（歷史用語／有冒犯意味）
• Chinese (Traditional): 白人（歷史用語／有冒犯意味）
• Hindi: फेयरफेस (ऐतिहासिक/अपमानजनक)
• Arabic: صاحب الوجه الشاحب (تاريخية/تحمل دلالة مهينة)
• Bengali: প্যালফেস (অমার্জিত পুরাতন শব্দ) - শ্বেতাঙ্গ ব্যক্তি
• Russian: бледнолицый (устаревшее, оскорбительное)
• Japanese: ペールフェイス（差別的な古い言葉） - 白人（歴史的用語）
• Vietnamese: người da trắng (từ xưa, mang tính xúc phạm)
• Korean: 창백한 얼굴 (옛날 경멸적 표현) - 백인 (옛말)
• Turkish: soluk yüz (tarihi, aşağılayıcı bir terim) - beyaz adam (eski deyim)
• Urdu: پیلفیس (پرانا اور توہین آمیز لفظ) - گورا (قدیم سیاق میں)
• Indonesian: wajah pucat (istilah kuno, menghina) - orang kulit putih (istilah lama)

Example Sentences

The Native Americans called him a paleface.

basic

Some old movies use the word paleface for white people.

basic

Paleface is not a polite word today.

basic

Calling someone a paleface today would be very offensive.

natural

In those old Westerns, the chief always scowled, "You paleface stay away from our land!"

natural

I found an old comic book where the hero was called paleface by a local tribe.

natural