In modern usage how do Japanese natives regard the differences between 外人, 外国人 and 外人さん?


As a near native speaker of Japanese, I find it annoying to be called 外人 since
it seems to imply that I "know nothing about Japan" (outsider). I much prefer
外国人.

**In modern usage** , how do native speakers regard the differences between
外人, 外国人 and 外人さん?

Also are there any newer more "PC" uses of the word coming into use (akin to
not calling North American natives 'Indians')?




Nowadays 外人 and 外国人 are similar in meaning, with the latter seeing less usage.
However, traditionally speaking 外人 is a derogatory word that shouldn't be used
towards foreigners. 外人 actually doesn't mean foreigner as much as it means
"outsider" to a group. So one could technically refer to people in a different
social class/group as you as 外人 and technically be ok. Though I've have not
heard this usage recently. This usage is the derogatory one btw.Though the
only people I've met that know about this distinction have been Japanese
teachers and people over 60.

外人さん I have heard is just japanese throwing a title onto the end of a group of
people to make it seem more polite like Tanaka-san, though whether or not it
is actually more polite is questionable.

lastly, I've actually been called this by my grand-mother-in-law, 異国人(いこくじん)
which is a VERY old very polite way of referring to foreigners as it means
"people from a different country". But even my wife was shocked when she heard
this, since she has never heard it before.




Nowadays 外人 and 外国人 are similar in meaning, with the latter seeing less usage.
However, traditionally speaking 外人 is a derogatory word that shouldn't be used
towards foreigners. 外人 actually doesn't mean foreigner as much as it means
"outsider" to a group. So one could technically refer to people in a different
social class/group as you as 外人 and technically be ok. Though I've have not
heard this usage recently. This usage is the derogatory one btw.Though the
only people I've met that know about this distinction have been Japanese
teachers and people over 60.

外人さん I have heard is just japanese throwing a title onto the end of a group of
people to make it seem more polite like Tanaka-san, though whether or not it
is actually more polite is questionable.

lastly, I've actually been called this by my grand-mother-in-law, 異国人(いこくじん)
which is a VERY old very polite way of referring to foreigners as it means
"people from a different country". But even my wife was shocked when she heard
this, since she has never heard it before.

