Huayi
/ˈhwɑː.iː/noun
A Mandarin Chinese term, written 华裔 (huáyì), referring to people of Chinese ancestry living outside China.
Did you know?In modern Chinese usage, Huayi usually emphasizes ancestry rather than citizenship, distinguishing overseas Chinese descendants from people who simply hold Chinese nationality.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Old Chinese
華
“An ancient term associated with China, Chinese civilization, or cultural splendor”
Ancient Chinese
Old Chinese
裔
“Descendant, later generation, or lineage”
Medieval China
Middle Chinese
華裔
“Descendants of the Chinese; a literary expression for Chinese lineage”
20th Century
Mandarin
華裔 (huáyì)
“A person of Chinese ancestry, especially outside China”
Modern English
English usage
Huayi
“A romanized Chinese loanword used in discussions of the Chinese diaspora”