蛮族(ばんぞく)

ばんぞく
noun
barbarian tribe; barbarians
history
1. barbarian tribe; barbarians
A historically used term for peoples considered uncivilized by a dominant culture. Now mainly encountered in historical texts, fantasy fiction, and world history discussions.
蛮族(ばんぞく)の侵入(しんにゅう)が帝国(ていこく)を脅(おびや)かした。
The invasion of barbarians threatened the empire.
ローマ帝国(ていこく)は蛮族(ばんぞく)の攻撃(こうげき)によって衰退(すいたい)した。
The Roman Empire declined due to barbarian attacks.
歴史(れきし)の教科書(きょうかしょ)では「蛮族(ばんぞく)」という表現(ひょうげん)は偏見(へんけん)を含(ふく)むとして避(さ)けられるようになっている。
In history textbooks, the term 'barbarians' is increasingly avoided as it carries prejudice.

A term rooted in the East Asian historical worldview where the central civilization (中華(ちゅうか)) contrasted itself with surrounding peoples (蛮(ばん), 夷(い), 戎(じゅう), 狄(てき)). Modern usage is primarily in historical or fantasy contexts. When used about real peoples, the word carries a strong pejorative connotation and is considered outdated and ethnocentric.

Common collocations

Related words

  • 野蛮(やばん) — savage, barbarous (adjective)
  • 未開(みかい) — uncivilized; primitive
  • 異民族(いみんぞく) — different ethnic group (neutral alternative)

Related Words

Related: 野蛮(やばん) (savage, barbarous)
Related: 未開(みかい) (uncivilized)
general
Added 2026.4.30 20:34 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
26000/26211_banzoku