Huaqiao
/ˌhwɑː.tʃiˈaʊ/noun
A person of Chinese birth or ancestry living outside China, especially someone retaining cultural or legal ties to China.
Did you know?The term became especially important in late Qing and Republican China, when overseas Chinese communities were discussed as a transnational political and cultural force.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Classical Chinese
華
“A literary term meaning Chinese, splendid, or civilized; later associated with China and Chinese identity.”
Ancient Chinese
Classical Chinese
僑
“A sojourner or person temporarily residing away from an original home; the character combines the person radical with a phonetic element.”
19th Century
Late Qing Chinese
華僑
“Chinese people residing overseas, particularly migrants and their descendants connected with China.”
Early 20th Century
Mandarin Chinese
huáqiáo
“An overseas Chinese person; literally, a Chinese sojourner.”
20th Century
English
Huaqiao
“An English loanword referring to overseas Chinese communities or individuals, often in historical, political, or sociological writing.”