Hello all! Posting here, as it may be relevant to a large number of immigrants to Japan. I’ll get straight to it, appreciate the advice.
I am French-American, as my flair suggests. I was born in France, lived in a French family my whole life, but moved to America around two years old. That is to say, I’m fully French by birth but both French and American culturally (and hold both passports).
I moved to Japan 9 months ago, and one of the things I struggle with most in basic conversation is efficiently explaining how I’m bicultural. Most Japanese will stare blankly when I say I’m French and American, and the few that carry on will insist I’m 「ハフ」. That’s not quite right, because both my parents are French.
I’m currently between language level N4 and N3, so my explanations are a bit rough.
I understand culturally Japan doesn’t really have many bicultural people, especially with its isolated history, and I’m curious if the term “bicultural” exists at all in normal conversational language (outside of academic settings, something colloquially known).
My question is: is there an efficient way to explain being bicultural, but not “half half”?
Tl;dr
I’m bicultural by naturalization/experience, but not biracial, which seems to puzzle Japanese people. Is there an easily understood/accepted word in Japanese for “bicultural”?
Edit
Thank you for the replies! Adding for context and specificity: I want something to signify I am equal parts both cultures. Saying I was born in France but live in America can signal favoritism towards America, versus saying I live in America but my family is French may show favoritism the other way. “Bicultural” is the most neutral word in English, unsure is something as neutral exists in Japanese.
by FrenchLadyNerd