Learn English – How to name a person from the same country as speaker

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My Slavic language (Slovak) uses the word krajan, speaker can in this way name another person whose origin lies in the same country/land/area/region.

English translations I have found:

I realize I could use all of them, but still what are slight differences, and, more importantly, which one is more common? I would like to know also about UK and US difference.

Feel free to include also alternative vocabulary.

Best Answer

Compatriot is naturally the word to express this situation. It fits the definition precisely, and is self-explanatory, refers to male and female citizens, and is identical in US and UK English.

Fellow countrymen/women is used frequently in articles due to it being a compound word (fellow+countrymen). Each word is fairly common and simple to understand, making the entire phrase easier to understand, but more of a mouthful. Usage is identical in US and UK English.

Homeboy is US mainly slang for being part of the same gang/social background. It is not frequently used, and rather informal and geographically more restrained.

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