Orientals Meaning in English
word · lemma: oriental
ˌɔɹiˈɛnəɫz/, /ˌɔɹiˈɛntəɫz
awr-ee-EN-tuhlz
ˌɔːɹɪˈɛntəlz
aw-ree-EN-tuhlz
Definition
An outdated and offensive term formerly used to refer to people from East Asia or the Far East.
Usage & Nuances
'Orientals' is now considered offensive and disrespectful in English-speaking countries; the preferred terms are 'Asian,' 'East Asian,' or specific nationalities like 'Chinese,' 'Japanese,' etc. Avoid using this word in modern communication.
Spanish: orientales (antiguo, considerado ofensivo)Portuguese (BR): orientais (antigo, considerado ofensivo)Portuguese (PT): orientais (antigo, considerado ofensivo)Chinese (Simplified): 东方人（过时且被视为冒犯）Chinese (Traditional): 東方人（過時且被視為冒犯）Hindi: ओरिएंटल्स (पुराना, आपत्तिजनक माने जाने वाला)Arabic: الشرقيون (مصطلح قديم ويُعتبر مهيناً)Bengali: ওরিয়েন্টালস (আপ্রচলিত ও অবমাননাকর শব্দ)Russian: ориенталы (устаревшее и оскорбительное слово)Japanese: オリエンタル（差別的・時代遅れの表現）Vietnamese: người phương Đông (từ lỗi thời, mang tính xúc phạm)Korean: 오리엔탈 (차별적이고 구시대적인 표현)Turkish: oreyantal (artık kullanılmayan ve aşağılayıcı bir kelime)Urdu: اورینٹل (پرانی اور توہین آمیز اصطلاح)Indonesian: oriental (istilah usang dan menyinggung)
Example Sentences
The museum had a section on orientals in the past.
basic
Some old books use the term orientals.
basic
The word orientals is not appropriate today.
basic
You shouldn't call people orientals; it's considered rude now.
natural
My grandmother sometimes still says orientals, but I always correct her.
natural
In modern English, referring to Asians as orientals is outdated and offensive.
natural