asian

Asian is an adjective and noun used to refer to people, cultures, languages, and things associated with the continent of Asia. The term can describe geography (originating in Asia), ethnicity or ancestry (people with Asian heritage), or cultural attributes (arts, traditions, cuisines) linked to Asian communities. Because Asia is the largest and most diverse continent, the scope of “Asian” is broad and context-dependent.

Asia spans a wide range of regions, including East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, and Western Asia. It is home to a vast array of languages, religions, cuisines, and social practices, reflecting thousands of years of history and a high degree of cultural variation. The continent has a population of about 4.7 to 4.8 billion people, accounting for roughly six in ten people on Earth.

Usage of the term varies by country and context. In many places, “Asian” denotes people with origins in Asia, including diverse populations such as East Asian, South Asian, Southeast Asian, Central Asian, and Western Asian groups. In some contexts, geographic or national identifiers may be used instead or alongside “Asian.” The term can also describe objects, products, or artistic forms associated with Asia.

In social discourse, “Asian” is often used in discussions of diaspora, representation, and identity. Because Asia’s populations are highly heterogeneous, many people prefer to specify ethnicity, nationality, or language (for example, Chinese, Indian, Filipino, Kazakh) when precision is needed.