Cool MateForeigner vs I'm a stranger in this country
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Foreigner
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
I'm a stranger in this country
Top 2,000 (common)
| Foreigner | I'm a stranger in this country | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈfɒrənə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfɔːrənər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //aɪm ə ˈstreɪndʒə ɪn ðɪs ˈkʌntri//🇺🇸 //aɪm ə ˈstreɪndʒər ɪn ðɪs ˈkʌntri// |
| Meaning | A person from another country. | I don't know anyone here. |
| Example | The fact that I was a foreigner was a big disadvantage. | When I arrived at the airport, I felt like I'm a stranger in this country. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | foreigners living abroad, foreigners in a country, welcome foreigners | feel like a stranger, become a stranger, stranger in a foreign land, welcome a stranger, treat a stranger kindly |
| Antonyms | local, native, citizen, resident | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'foreigner' vs 'foreigners' (plural), Used inappropriately in sensitive contexts, Mispronunciation due to unfamiliar syllable stress | Learners might say 'I'm strange in this country' instead., Misunderstanding and using 'stranger' as only a physical appearance., Confusing 'stranger' with 'foreigner' when context is cultural. |
| Usage notes | Used in both formal and informal contexts. Be cautious as it can carry a negative connotation in some cultures. It's suitable to use when discussing travel, immigration, or cultural differences but might be inappropriate when used in a derogatory way. | Use in conversational contexts. It's appropriate for unfamiliar environments or traveling. Avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Foreigner vs I'm a stranger in this country
What's the difference between Foreigner and I'm a stranger in this country?
Foreigner: A person from another country. I'm a stranger in this country: I don't know anyone here.
Can you show an example of each?
Foreigner: The fact that I was a foreigner was a big disadvantage. I'm a stranger in this country: When I arrived at the airport, I felt like I'm a stranger in this country.
Can I use Foreigner and I'm a stranger in this country interchangeably?
Not always. Foreigner and I'm a stranger in this country are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.