Gwailou
/ˈɡwaɪ.loʊ/noun
A Cantonese term, often used in English, for a white Western foreigner, especially in Hong Kong or southern China; it can be neutral, informal, or derogatory depending on context.
Did you know?Gwailou comes from Cantonese 鬼佬, literally “ghost man,” but its use ranges from affectionate or self-referential to insulting depending on speaker, context, and tone.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Old Chinese
鬼
“A ghost, spirit, or departed soul”
Ancient Chinese
Classical Chinese
佬
“A man or fellow; later used in colloquial compounds”
19th Century
Cantonese
鬼佬 (gwái lóuh)
“Literally “ghost man,” referring to a white foreigner”
19th–20th Century
English in Hong Kong
gweilo / gwailo
“A Cantonese loanword for a white Western person”
Modern English
English
gwailou
“An English spelling variant of the Cantonese-derived term, used especially in discussions of Hong Kong and Chinese culture”