Key Facts
- Hangul: 외국인; Revised Romanization: oegugin
- Part of speech: noun
- Origin: Sino-Korean
- Register: Neutral; the standard word, though some prefer 외국 사람 as softer.
- Hanja: 外國人 (外 outside + 國 country + 人 person)
Foreigner in Korean: What Does 외국인 Mean?
외국인 has one sense, foreigner. The register is neutral, though some speakers find 외국 사람 softer. Both are correct; the first is more official.
How Do You Pronounce 외국인?
Three syllables, and the linking in the middle matters: it is said [oe-gu-gin], not [oe-guk-in], because the final ㄱ of the second syllable moves into the last one.
Example Sentences with 외국인
저는 외국인이에요.
jeoneun oeguginieyo.
I am a foreigner.
A self-introduction. 이에요 follows the noun and makes the polite "I am".
외국인 친구가 있어요.
oegugin chinguga isseoyo.
I have a foreign friend.
Here 외국인 modifies 친구 to give "foreign friend". 있어요 says the speaker has one.
서울에는 외국인이 많아요.
seoureneun oegugini manayo.
There are many foreigners in Seoul.
서울에는 joins 에 (in) and the topic marker 는, so "in Seoul" is set up as the topic. 많아요 says there are many.
Common Phrases and Collocations
Official and tourism phrases rule here: 외국인 친구 is a foreign friend, 외국인 등록증 is the alien registration card, and 외국인 관광객 is a foreign tourist.
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 외국인 친구 | foreign friend |
| 외국인 등록증 | alien registration card |
| 외국인 관광객 | foreign tourist |
The Mistake to Avoid
Wrong: [oe-guk-in], with the ㄱ kept at the end of the second syllable.
Right: [oe-gu-gin]: the ㄱ links forward into the vowel of the last syllable.
외국인 Compared with Similar Words
외국 사람 means "foreign person" and is softer and more colloquial. 내국인 is the opposite, a domestic citizen.
| Word | Meaning | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| 외국인 | foreigner | This page's word |
| 외국 사람 | foreign person | 외국 사람 is a slightly softer, more colloquial phrasing. |
| 내국인 | national / citizen | 내국인 is the opposite: a domestic citizen. |
Where Does the Word Come From?
外國人 combines 外 (outside), 國 (country) and 人 (person), so the word reads literally as an "outside-country person".
At a Language School: Finding a Class
A visitor asks a school receptionist about Korean classes. The word 외국인 identifies the learners the class is intended for.
Visitor
외국인도 이 수업을 들을 수 있어요?
Oegugindo i sueobeul deureul su isseoyo?
Can foreigners take this class too?
Receptionist
네. 외국인을 위한 한국어 수업이에요.
Ne. Oegugineul wihan hangugeo sueobieyo.
Yes. It’s a Korean class for foreigners.
Visitor
초급 수업도 있어요?
Chogeup sueopdo isseoyo?
Is there a beginner class too?
Receptionist
네, 있어요.
Ne, isseoyo.
Yes, there is.
외국인도 means “foreigners too”; 도 adds the group to the question. 외국인을 위한 means “for foreigners” and describes who the class is designed for. 초급 names the beginner level. The visitor asks separately about level because being a foreign learner says nothing about how much Korean someone already knows.
Common Combinations and What They Tell You
외국인 관광객 means a foreign tourist. The second word supplies the role: the person is visiting as a tourist. 외국인 유학생 refers to an international student. Both combinations begin with the same broad label, but the following noun adds information about the person’s situation.
외국인 전용 means “for foreigners only”. 전용 indicates exclusive use by the named group. 외국인 안내 means information or guidance for foreigners. 안내 identifies help or information; it does not carry the same “only” meaning. Recognizing the final word helps you understand what a heading actually promises.
한국인 means a Korean person, while 외국인 means a foreign person relative to the country being discussed. In Korean settings that reference country is usually Korea. In a discussion set elsewhere, pay attention to which country the speaker means. The word is relational rather than a permanent description of someone wherever they go.
Where Will You See 외국인, and How Should You Use It?
Language schools, tourist information and public notices use 외국인 to identify an audience. A heading can be short and impersonal because it sorts information for a group. In a personal conversation, you can use someone’s name once you know it. The category word is useful when nationality or access to a service is relevant.
외국인 is neutral vocabulary, but calling out to a stranger with it can feel reducing or abrupt. 저기요, “excuse me”, is a practical way to get someone’s attention without labeling them. 외국 사람 can sound more conversational, as the comparison above notes, but warmth also depends on the whole sentence and the situation.
The existing self-introduction 저는 외국인이에요 can explain why you need help with a Korean expression. It gives a broad identity. A country name gives more specific information if someone asks where you are from. Neither sentence tells the listener what languages you speak, so that may need a separate explanation.
Words for People, Countries and Language Study
| Korean | Meaning | Useful note |
|---|---|---|
| 외국 | foreign country / abroad | Names the place concept without the person ending 인. |
| 한국인 | Korean person | Names a person; 한국 names the country. |
| 유학생 | international student | Describes a student studying abroad. |
| 관광객 | tourist | Describes a visitor’s role rather than nationality. |
The people and relationships lesson teaches more words for describing people. Compare the final parts of 외국인 친구 and 외국인 관광객: one tells you about a friendship, the other about a visit.
Quick Self-Test
- What does 도 add in 외국인도?
- Does 외국인 안내 mean “foreigners only”?
- How does 외국 differ from 외국인?
Show answers
- “Too” or “also”: foreigners are included in the question.
- No. 안내 means guidance or information; 전용 expresses exclusive use.
- 외국 refers to a foreign country or abroad; 외국인 refers to a person.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say "foreigner" in Korean?
Say 외국인 (oegugin).
How do you say "I am a foreigner"?
Say 저는 외국인이에요.
What is a softer way to say it?
Say 외국 사람, which sounds a little softer and more conversational.
What is the opposite of 외국인?
It is 내국인, a domestic citizen.
Related Words and What to Learn Next
- Theme list: People and relationships words. 외국인 shares that list with other words for people.
- Index: look up more words near "foreigner" in Korean words A to Z.
- Practice: the word for foreigner fits into the vocabulary flashcard decks.
- Next in this list, see the page for friend.