laowai en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- lou′wī′
- /laʊˈwaɪ/
Etymology
From Mandarin 老外 (lǎowài, literally “old outside[r]”).
Meanings
- (colloquial) A foreigner in mainland China or Taiwan, (particularly) a Western one.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lao Wai | alternative | lexicographic | |
| lao-wai | alternative | lexicographic | |
| laowai | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| laowais | Number=Plur | lexicographic |