Ming Dynasty derogatory terms for outlaws, foreigners and barbarians

Although most of these terms can be translated to "barbarian" in English, each of these words has different meaning in Chinese and cannot be used interchangeably.

BY ETHNICITY/NATIONALITY

Man (蠻)

Used to mean "Southern barbarian", its meaning shifted to "uncivilised barbarian" during Ming period.

Lu (虜)

Northern nomadic barbarian such as the Mongols.

Fan (番 or 蕃)

Primitive barbarian or tribal barbarian.

Yi (夷)

Foreign barbarian.

BY PROFESSION/SOCIAL STATUS

Dao (盜)

Thief.

Kou (寇)

Robber, bandit, pirate or other violent outlaws.

Zei (賊)

Traitor or hated enemy. In modern Chinese, it means "thief".

Di (敵)

Enemy. This term was more neutral than Zei.

SPECIFIC GROUP

Wo (倭)

Japanese. This term did not have strong negative connotation back then.

Da Da (鞑靼)

Tatars. During Ming period this term was applied to Eastern Mongols to distinguish them from the Oirats.

Tu Fan (吐蕃)

Tibetans.

Fo Lang Ji (佛朗機)

Chinese transcription of the word "Franks", referring to the Portuguese people.

Lu Song (呂宋)

Chine transcription of the word "Luzon", referring to Luzon island of Philippines. After the Spanish colonisation of Philippines, this term was applied to the Spanish people as well.

Ao Yi (澳夷)

Literally "Macao barbarian", referring to Portuguese people.

Hong Yi (紅夷)

Literally "Red barbarian", referring to Dutch people.

Hei Fan Gui (黑番鬼)

Literally "Black barbarian ghost", referring to Negrito people (from South and Southeast Asia).

Ji Hei Fan (極黑番)

Literally "Extremely black barbarian", referring to people of Black African heritage.

OBSOLETE

These terms fell out of popularity during Ming period and were rarely used.  

Rong (戎)

Western barbarian.

Di (狄)

Northern barbarian.

Hu (胡)

Non-Chinese or nomadic barbarian.

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