asian
asian — adjective
1. connected with Asia as a continent — its many countries, cultures, languages, an
connected with Asia as a continent — its many countries, cultures, languages, and the people whose roots lie there.
Hiro is studying several Asian languages, including Korean and Vietnamese, at university.
Asian + plural noun (languages, countries, cultures)
The museum in Taipei has a wonderful collection of Asian art from the past two thousand years.
Asian + uncountable noun (art, food, history)
Many Asian countries celebrate the Lunar New Year with family meals and red envelopes.
Beatriz opened a small Asian grocery shop near the train station last spring.
Mr. Yael chaired a Bangkok conference where Asian foreign ministers discussed clean energy and trade.
- oriental
older term, now considered dated and sometimes offensive when describing people
用法筆記
Distinguish from senses 2 and 3: this is the geographic adjective covering the whole continent. Senses 2 and 3 are narrower regional uses tied to specific English-speaking countries.
常見錯誤
2. in American English (also Canadian, Australian, New Zealand usage), relating to
in American English (also Canadian, Australian, New Zealand usage), relating to East Asia — that is, to China, Japan, Korea, and the nearby region.
The new restaurant on Mission Street serves Asian fusion dishes, mostly Japanese and Chinese.
American usage: Asian = East Asian by default
Xiomara joined an Asian student association at her university in San Francisco.
Richmond, just outside Vancouver, has a thriving Asian community of families from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.
Zara took a class on Asian cinema and watched films by Akira Kurosawa and Wong Kar-wai.
- East Asian
more precise; preferred in formal or careful writing
用法筆記
In US, Canadian, and Australian English, 'Asian' on its own typically points to East Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam). South Asians are usually called 'South Asian' or 'Indian' instead. Compare with sense 3, which is the British usage.
常見錯誤
3. in British English, relating to South Asia — that is, to India, Pakistan, Bangla
in British English, relating to South Asia — that is, to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the surrounding region.
Birmingham has many Asian restaurants serving curry, naan, and traditional Punjabi sweets.
British usage: Asian = South Asian by default
The BBC programme explored the lives of young British Asian women in Bradford.
collocation: British Asian
Priya grew up in a tight-knit Asian community in east London.
Priya and Raj's Asian wedding in Leicester lasted three days, with red saris, drumming, and a horse-drawn procession.
- South Asian
explicit and unambiguous in any English variety
用法筆記
In British English, 'Asian' on its own usually refers to people of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, or Sri Lankan heritage. East Asians are typically described as 'Chinese', 'Japanese', or 'East Asian'. This is the opposite default to sense 2 (American usage).
常見錯誤
asian — noun
1. a person who was born in Asia, lives there, or whose family roots come from some
a person who was born in Asia, lives there, or whose family roots come from somewhere on the Asian continent.
At the international school in Dubai, most of Mei-Lin's classmates are Asians from China, India, and the Philippines.
plural noun in general statements
Hiro was born in Manila and now describes herself as an Asian living in Toronto.
The festival in Vancouver celebrated the contribution of Asians to Canadian society.
Many Asians settled in this seaside town during the 1970s and opened family businesses.
用法筆記
Often capitalised because it refers to a group of people. The plural 'Asians' is usual in general statements; the singular 'an Asian' to label a person can sound blunt, so many speakers prefer 'an Asian person' or a more specific term such as 'Korean' or 'Indian'.
常見錯誤
2. in American (also Canadian, Australian, New Zealand) English, a person whose fam
in American (also Canadian, Australian, New Zealand) English, a person whose family heritage is from East Asia — for example China, Japan, Korea, or Vietnam.
Zara is a third-generation Asian whose grandparents came to California from Guangzhou.
American usage: noun Asian = East Asian heritage
The film stars two Asians and is set in a Korean bakery in Los Angeles.
In San Francisco's Sunset District, Asians own many of the bakeries and noodle shops along Irving Street.
Xiomara, a Vietnamese Asian raised in Sydney, returned to Hanoi to meet her cousins.
- East Asian
more precise and recommended in writing
- Asian American
specifically for people of Asian descent born or raised in the US
用法筆記
In American, Canadian, and Australian English, 'Asian' as a noun typically points to people of East Asian heritage. People from India or Pakistan are usually called 'South Asian' or 'Indian' rather than just 'Asian' here. Compare with noun sense 3.
常見錯誤
3. in British English, a person whose family heritage is from South Asia — for exam
in British English, a person whose family heritage is from South Asia — for example India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, or Sri Lanka.
Priya is a British Asian who grew up speaking both Punjabi and English at home.
collocation: British Asian
The borough of Tower Hamlets is home to many Asians of Bangladeshi heritage.
Several young Asians from Bradford and Leicester were elected to the UK Parliament in the last general election.
The author writes about life as an Asian in 1980s Bradford.
- South Asian
explicit; works in any English variety
- British Asian
specifically for people of South Asian heritage in the UK
用法筆記
In British English, the bare noun 'Asian' usually points to people of South Asian heritage; East Asians are normally described as 'Chinese', 'Japanese', or 'East Asian'. This is the opposite default to American English (sense 2).