oriental
/o-ryen-TAHL/
eastern
The word 'oriental' can describe something located in the east, like a sunrise over the ocean.
oriental(adjective)
eastern
?geographic location
Oriental
?referring to Asian cultures or regions
📝 In Action
Japón es un país oriental.
A2Japan is an eastern country.
Me encanta la comida oriental.
A2I love Eastern/Asian food.
💡 Grammar Points
One word for both genders
This word doesn't change its ending for men or women. You can say 'el hombre oriental' and 'la mujer oriental'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Don't confuse with 'occidental'
Mistake: "Using 'oriental' to mean Western."
Correction: Remember: 'Oriental' is East (where the sun rises), 'Occidental' is West (where the sun sets).
⭐ Usage Tips
Polite usage
In Spanish, 'oriental' is a neutral and common way to describe things or people from Asia, without the negative baggage the English word sometimes carries.
In some contexts, 'oriental' refers to a person from Uruguay, often represented by the national colors of blue and white.
oriental(noun)
Uruguayan
?referring to a person from Uruguay
Easterner
?a person from any eastern region
📝 In Action
Los orientales están orgullosos de su país.
B1The Uruguayans are proud of their country.
⭐ Usage Tips
The Uruguay Connection
If you are in South America and hear 'los orientales', they are almost certainly talking about people from Uruguay!
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: oriental
Question 1 of 2
If you are reading a history book about Uruguay, who are 'los orientales'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'oriental' offensive in Spanish?
No. Unlike in some English-speaking contexts where it can be seen as dated or insensitive when describing people, 'oriental' remains a standard, neutral, and polite term in Spanish to describe things and people from East Asia.
Does the word change if I'm talking about a female student?
No, the word stays exactly the same. You would say 'la estudiante oriental'.