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"Oriental" is an adjective which is often translated as "eastern", and "asiático" is an adjective which is often translated as "Asian". Learn more about the difference between "oriental" and "asiático" below.
oriental, el oriental, la oriental(
oh
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ryehn
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tahl
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. eastern
Mis abuelos vivieron en la parte oriental de Alemania.My grandparents lived in the eastern part of Germany.
b. east
Repararon la avenida oriental porque tenía baches.They repaired the east highway because it was full of potholes.
c. easterly
Un viento oriental sopló desde la mañana.An easterly wind had been blowing since morning.
3. (of Uruguayan origin) (South America)
Regionalism used in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela
a. Uruguayan
Mi amiga colombiana me dijo que los hombres orientales son muy guapos.My Colombian friend told me that Uruguayan men are very handsome.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
a. oriental (old-fashioned) (pejorative)
A word or phrase that is seldom used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another decade, (e.g., cat, groovy).
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
Mi abuela los llama orientales a mis amigos tailandeses.My grandmother calls my Thai friends orientals.
b. Oriental (old-fashioned) (pejorative)
A word or phrase that is seldom used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another decade, (e.g., cat, groovy).
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
Mamá, Hyun Yong no es un "oriental". Es coreano.Mom, Hyun Yong isn't an "Oriental." He's Korean.
5. (nationality) (South America)
Regionalism used in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela
a. Uruguayan
A los orientales les toma varias horas de viaje en avión ir a Venezuela.It takes Uruguayans several hours to fly to Venezuela.
asiático(
ah
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syah
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tee
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koh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. Asian
Los turistas asiáticos representan una parte importante de los ingresos del país.Asian tourists represent a significant part of the country's revenue.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
a. Asian
Los asiáticos constituyen la mayor parte de la fuerza de trabajo de esta empresa.Asians make up most of the workforce in this company.
