Japanese word of the day: 在日 (Zainichi)

What does 在日 (Zainichi) mean?

在日 (noun) — Someone staying in Japan, especially Koreans staying in Japan. 

Kanji details for 在 and 日

Character: 在 — exist, outskirts, suburbs, located in
Radical: earth 土

Character: 日 — day, sun, Japan, counter for days
Radical: sun, day 日

Example sentences with 在日 (Zainichi)

• 彼は在日アメリカ人です。
  (Kare wa zainichi Amerikajin desu.)
  🇺🇸 🇯🇵 He is an American living in Japan.

• 在日外国人の数が増えています。
  (Zainichi gaikokujin no kazu ga fuete imasu.)
  🗾 The number of foreigners living in Japan is increasing.

• 在日中国人の友達がいます。
  (Zainichi Chūgokujin no tomodachi ga imasu.)
  🇨🇳 I have a Chinese friend who lives in Japan.

在日 (Zainichi) in context

It's important to note that while the term itself literally means "staying in Japan" and implies temporary residence, many 在日 (Zainichi) Koreans are permanent residents who have lived in Japan for generations. In some contexts, particularly online, the term can be used pejoratively, though it remains a standard descriptive term in formal and academic contexts.

在日 (Zainichi )can be used in various compound terms:

• 在日外国人 (zainichi gaikokujin) - foreign residents in Japan

• 在日米軍 (Zainichi Beigun) - United States Forces Japan

• 在日二世 (zainichi nisei) - second-generation zainichi

• 在日中国人 (Zainichi Chūgokujin) - Chinese residents in Japan