expat

/ˈekspæt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈekspæt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈeks-ˌpat/ (ame, mw)

expat — noun

1. someone who has chosen to settle temporarily in a foreign nation, typically for

1.名詞B2
釋義

someone who has chosen to settle temporarily in a foreign nation, typically for employment or a change of lifestyle

例句

Rachid spent eight years in Bangkok as an expat working for a French airline.

expat + working for [employer] describes the reason for living abroad

The expat community in Dubai organises weekly social events for new arrivals.

collocation: expat community

同義詞
  • expatriate

    the full, more formal form of the same word; preferred in official documents and news reports

  • foreigner

    much broader — includes tourists, students, and short-term visitors, not just temporary residents

  • overseas worker

    specifically emphasises employment as the reason for living abroad; less common in casual speech

反義詞
  • native

    someone born in the country being referred to

  • citizen

    a legal member of the country who holds full rights there

文法句型

often 'an expat' or 'expats'

用法筆記

Frequently contrasted with 'immigrant': an expat is generally understood to have moved voluntarily and plans to return home, while an immigrant intends permanent settlement. The word is less common in formal academic or government writing, where 'expatriate' or 'overseas national' may be preferred.

常見錯誤

❌He is an expat who fled his country due to war.
✅He is a refugee who fled his country due to war.
💡'Expat' implies voluntary relocation by choice, not forced flight.
❌The company hired several local expats for the Tokyo office.
✅The company hired several expats for the Tokyo office.
💡Adding 'local' contradicts the meaning; expats by definition come from a different country.