foreigner
gb/fˈɔɹənɚ/ us/fˈɔɹənɚ/
A2
English
~ 7500
külföldi, nem állampolgár, külföldi állampolgár, kívülálló
NOUN
A2
1
külföldi
A2
Usage pattern:
[a foreigner] in [a country/place]
As a foreigner in Japan, he found the customs both surprising and fascinating.
Külföldiként Japánban egyszerre találta meglepőnek és lenyűgözőnek a szokásokat.
The city has many services to help foreigners adjust to life there.
A városban sok szolgáltatás segít a külföldieknek beilleszkedni az ottani életbe.
Some locals worry that foreigners will not respect their traditions.
She enjoys meeting foreigners and learning about their cultures.
The hotel staff spoke English to help the foreigner check in.
Learner examples
I was a foreigner when I first went to Canada.
Külföldi voltam, amikor először Kanadába mentem.
Many foreigners visit this city every summer.
Minden nyáron sok külföldi látogat el ebbe a városba.
The school has a special class for foreigner children.
They helped the foreigner find the train station.
As a foreigner, he did not understand the signs.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "foreigner" with "stranger". A "foreigner" is from another country, while a "stranger" is simply someone you do not know, even if they are from your own country. Learners also sometimes say *"a foreigner language"*; the correct phrase is *"a foreign language"* (adjective), not *"a foreigner language"*.
Meaning
person from another country
Collocations
foreigners living in [country]
|treat foreigners
|discrimination against foreigners
|rights of foreigners
|welcome foreigners
|foreigners in our country
Synonyms
foreigner (Neutral term; can sound impersonal or distant in some contexts, depending on tone.)
|
non-native (Focuses on not being native to a place; often used for speakers of a language or residents, slightly more technical.)
|
immigrant (Specifically someone who has moved to live in another country, often permanently; not used for short-term visitors.)
|
visitor (Suggests someone staying for a short time; does not always imply a different nationality.)
Antonyms
local (Emphasises that someone is from or long connected to that place.)
|
native (Highlights being born in or originally from that country or area.)
|
citizen (Focuses on legal membership of a country, not just origin.)
Themes
travel
|society
|culture
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person from another country, not from the place where they are now.
A person who comes from a different country, especially someone who is in a country where they are not originally from.
NOUN
B2
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
[a foreigner] under [a country's] law
Under this law, foreigners are not allowed to vote in national elections.
E törvény értelmében a nem állampolgárok nem szavazhatnak az országos választásokon.
The government is debating new rules for foreigners who wish to work in the country.
A kormány új szabályokról vitázik azok számára, akik nem állampolgárok, de az országban szeretnének dolgozni.
Foreigners must register with the local authorities within thirty days of arrival.
The constitution guarantees basic human rights to both citizens and foreigners.
There are restrictions on foreigners owning agricultural land in this region.
Learner examples
In this country, foreigners cannot vote.
Ebben az országban a nem állampolgárok nem szavazhatnak.
The new law makes it harder for foreigners to work here.
Az új törvény megnehezíti, hogy a külföldi állampolgárok itt dolgozzanak.
Foreigners must carry their passport at all times.
The city gives health care to both citizens and foreigners.
Many foreigners ask a lawyer to help with visa rules.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realise that in news and legal texts, "foreigner" often has a specific legal meaning: someone who is not a citizen of that country, even if they were born or grew up there. They may also overuse "foreigner" in formal writing where "non-citizen" or "foreign national" might be preferred.
Meaning
non-citizen of a country
Collocations
rights of foreigners
|foreigners must register
|ban on foreigners
|foreigners owning land
|foreigners are not allowed to vote
|foreigners working in the country
Synonyms
non-citizen (Formal and legal term; used mainly in official or legal texts instead of everyday speech.)
|
alien (Formal legal word in some countries, but can sound cold or negative in everyday language.)
Antonyms
citizen (Direct legal opposite; a citizen has the legal membership and rights of that country.)
|
national (Formal term for someone who belongs to a state by citizenship or nationality.)
Themes
law
|politics
|immigration
|travel
Definition
A person who is not a citizen of a country, when we talk about laws or official rules.
A person who does not have the citizenship or nationality of the country being referred to, especially in legal, political, or official contexts.
NOUN
C1
3
kívülálló
B2
Usage pattern:
[a foreigner] in [a field/group/context]
As a scientist among artists, he felt like a foreigner at the gallery opening.
Tudósként a művészek között kívülállónak érezte magát a galéria megnyitóján.
She is still a foreigner in the world of finance and often asks basic questions.
Még mindig kívülálló a pénzügyek világában, és gyakran tesz fel alapvető kérdéseket.
Without any tech background, I am a complete foreigner in these programming meetings.
At first he was a foreigner in the company culture, but over time he fit in.
Talking about modern internet slang, my father is a foreigner in that world.
Learner examples
I feel like a foreigner in this office.
Kívülállónak érzem magam ebben az irodában.
He is a foreigner in the world of art.
Kívülálló a művészet világában.
Without training, she is a foreigner in this subject.
At the party, I was a foreigner among all the famous people.
In this sport, I am a complete foreigner.
Common mistake:
Learners may understand this only in the literal, country-related sense and miss the figurative meaning of being an outsider to a group or subject. Some may translate directly from their language and use "stranger" where English would more naturally use this figurative sense of "foreigner" or "outsider".
Meaning
outsider to a group or field
Collocations
a foreigner in this field
|feel like a foreigner
|remain a foreigner
|a complete foreigner to
|a total foreigner in
|seems a foreigner among them
Synonyms
outsider (Most common neutral synonym; clearly expresses not belonging to a group.)
|
newcomer (Suggests being new rather than simply not belonging; often more positive or neutral.)
Antonyms
insider (Direct opposite; someone who belongs to or understands the group or field well.)
|
member (Focuses on officially belonging to a group or organisation.)
Themes
emotions
|work
|culture
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person who is not part of a group or does not understand a subject, even if they are from the same country.
A person who does not belong to or is not familiar with a particular group, community, or area of activity, even if they are from the same country.
Grammar
Dictionary form
foreigner
IPA
GB/fˈɔɹənɚ/
US/fˈɔɹənɚ/
Syllables & stress
for - eign - er (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (for)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: foreigner
- Plural: foreigners
Word family
Expressions
a foreigner in one's own country
1/ə fˈɔɹənɚ ˈɪn wˈʌnz ˈoʊn kˈʌntɹi/
fixed phrase
feeling alien in home country
To feel that you do not belong or are not accepted in your own country or society, as if you were from another country.
Examples
- After the new laws, many long-time residents say they feel like a foreigner in one's own country.
- Because of discrimination, she often felt like a foreigner in one's own country.
- Rapid changes in the city made some older people feel like a foreigner in one's own country.
treat someone like a foreigner
1/tɹˈit sˈʌmwˌʌn lˈaɪk ə fˈɔɹənɚ/
fixed phrase
act as if person doesn't belong
To behave in a way that makes someone feel they do not belong, as if they were from another country, even if they are not.
Examples
- Although she was born here, people still treat her like a foreigner.
- He complained that the company treated him like a foreigner because of his accent.
- Don't treat me like a foreigner just because I look different.