You're at a dinner party, or maybe filling out a census form, or perhaps you're just writing a company newsletter, and you hit that wall. You need to talk about someone’s background. You pause. Is it "race"? Is it "ethnicity"? Does it even matter? Honestly, most people just mumble through it because they're terrified of saying the wrong thing. But here’s the kicker: how to say ethnicity correctly isn’t just about being "PC"—it’s about being accurate.
If you call someone's ethnicity their race, you're basically swapping out their DNA for their dinner recipes. They aren't the same thing. Race is usually about physical traits—think bone structure or skin color—while ethnicity is all about the culture, the language, the heritage, and the shared history. It's the difference between "I look like this" and "This is where my people come from."
Getting this right matters. In a 2023 study by the Pew Research Center, researchers found that about 62% of Hispanic adults say their Hispanic identity is part of both their racial and ethnic background. That’s messy. It’s complicated. And if you’re trying to navigate it, you need more than just a dictionary definition.
Why Everyone Gets the Definition Wrong
We tend to use these words like they're interchangeable. They aren't. Not even close.
Ethnicity comes from the Greek word ethnos, meaning "nation" or "people." It's an internal thing. You choose it. You live it. It’s about the traditions your grandmother passed down or the specific dialect you speak when you go home for the holidays. You could be racially White but ethnically Hanseatic, or Irish, or Ashkenazi Jewish.
Race, on the other hand, is a social construct often imposed from the outside. Historically, it was a way to categorize people based on what they looked like. If you look at the U.S. Census Bureau’s standards, they officially recognize five racial categories: American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and White.
But when it comes to ethnicity? They only list two: "Hispanic or Latino" and "Not Hispanic or Latino."
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Wait. That feels off, right?
It feels off because it is. Reducing the entire world’s ethnic diversity to whether or not they have Spanish-speaking heritage is a massive oversimplification used for data tracking. In the real world, how to say ethnicity involves recognizing thousands of groups, from the Kurds in the Middle East to the Yoruba in Nigeria or the Hmong in Southeast Asia.
The Pronunciation Pitfall
Let's get the technical stuff out of the way. If you're literally asking how to say the word "ethnicity" out loud, it’s eth-NISS-it-ee.
The emphasis is on that second syllable. Don't trip over the "th." It’s a soft breathy sound, followed by a sharp "niss."
But usually, when people search for how to say ethnicity, they aren't looking for a phonics lesson. They’re looking for the social etiquette. They want to know how to bring it up without sounding like a jerk or an amateur sociologist.
Context Is Everything (Seriously)
If you're in a medical setting, ethnicity matters for genetic predispositions. If you're at a cultural festival, it matters for celebrating heritage. If you're just asking because you're curious about someone's "exotic" look? Just don't. That’s where the "Where are you really from?" microaggression lives.
Here is a pro tip: let people self-identify.
Instead of guessing, use phrases like "How do you describe your cultural background?" or "What’s your ethnic heritage?" It’s way more respectful. It gives the other person the steering wheel.
The "Hispanic" vs. "Latino" vs. "Latinx" Debate
This is the Olympics of "how to say ethnicity" confusion.
Technically, "Hispanic" refers to people from Spanish-speaking countries (including Spain). "Latino" refers to people from Latin America (including Brazil, where they speak Portuguese, but excluding Spain).
Then there’s "Latinx" or "Latine."
According to a 2020 Gallup poll, only about 4% of Hispanic Americans actually prefer the term "Latinx." Most find it clunky or an imposition of English linguistic norms onto a gendered language like Spanish. If you’re trying to be inclusive, "Latine" is often seen as a more natural Spanish-language alternative, but "Latino" remains the most widely accepted "general" term.
Concrete Numbers: The Global Landscape
We live in a world of 8 billion people. According to the World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples, there are over 5,000 different ethnic groups globally.
In the United States, the 2020 Census showed a massive shift. The "Multiracial" population (people who identify with more than one race) grew by 276% over a decade. This makes "how to say ethnicity" even harder because more people are identifying as "mixed."
Look at these breakdowns:
- White (non-Hispanic): Roughly 57.8% of the U.S. population.
- Hispanic or Latino: 18.7%.
- Black or African American: 12.1%.
- Asian: 5.9%.
When you look at these numbers, you realize that the "Standard American" identity is disappearing. We are a mosaic. If you can't talk about ethnicity accurately, you're missing the reality of the 21st century.
Common Mistakes to Ditch Right Now
Stop saying "minorities."
In many parts of the world—and many American cities—the "minority" is actually the majority. The term "Global Majority" is gaining traction among sociologists like Dr. Robin DiAngelo and Ibram X. Kendi to describe Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) who make up about 80% of the world’s population.
Also, stop using "ethnic" as an adjective for food or clothes.
"I love ethnic food."
Which one?
Italian pasta is ethnic.
Swedish meatballs are ethnic.
When we use "ethnic" to mean "non-white" or "foreign," we're basically saying that White Western culture is the "default" and everything else is an "other." It’s lazy writing and even lazier thinking. Call it what it is: Thai food, Ethiopian cuisine, or Mexican street corn.
How to Ask Without Being Weird
Honestly, you probably shouldn't ask someone's ethnicity within the first five minutes of meeting them. It feels like an interrogation.
If it comes up naturally—say, you're talking about family history or travel—be specific.
Instead of: "What is your ethnicity?"
Try: "I’d love to hear more about your family’s heritage."
It’s softer. It invites a story rather than a checkbox answer.
The Legal Side of the Conversation
In the workplace, how you talk about ethnicity is regulated. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in the U.S. has very strict rules. Employers generally shouldn't ask about ethnicity during an interview unless it's for affirmative action tracking, and even then, it must be voluntary.
If you're a manager, you've got to be careful. You can't just go around asking people where they're from to "diversify" the team. You focus on the data provided voluntarily and ensure that your language remains professional. Use the terms recognized by the EEOC or the relevant local governing body to stay in the clear.
Misconceptions That Need to Die
Many people think ethnicity is permanent. It’s actually somewhat fluid.
Sociologists call this "situational ethnicity." You might emphasize your Italian heritage during a family reunion but identify more broadly as "American" when traveling abroad. Or you might identify as "Latina" in a political setting but "Colombian" when talking to someone else from South America.
It’s not "faking it." It’s navigating layers of identity.
Also, being "colorblind" isn't the goal. Saying "I don't see color" or "I don't see ethnicity" usually just means you're ignoring a huge part of someone’s life experience. A better approach is to see it, respect it, and use the right words for it.
Actionable Steps for Mastering the Language
If you want to stop overthinking and start speaking like an expert, follow these three rules:
1. Mirror their language. If someone describes themselves as "Persian" rather than "Iranian," use "Persian." If they say they are "Black" rather than "African American," follow their lead. Personal preference always trumps a textbook.
2. Specificity is your best friend. "Asian" is a massive category covering billions of people. "Japanese-American" or "Punjabi" is a specific ethnicity. Whenever possible, go for the specific. It shows you actually know what you're talking about.
3. Learn the "Why" behind the words. Understand that terms like "Indigenous" carry a history of sovereignty and land rights. Understand that "Desi" is a colloquial term for people from the Indian subcontinent. Knowing the "why" prevents you from using words out of context.
What to Do Next
Start by auditing your own vocabulary. Do you find yourself using "ethnic" as a synonym for "weird" or "different"? Catch yourself.
Next time you have to fill out a form or write a bio, think about the difference between your race and your ethnicity. Try to write down your own ethnic heritage in three words. Are you Irish-German-American? Are you Cantonese-Vietnamese?
Understanding your own layers makes it a lot easier to respect everyone else's.
If you're in a professional setting, check your company's style guide. If they don't have one, suggest adopting the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook's guidelines on race and ethnicity. They're updated regularly and provide a solid, factual foundation for how to say ethnicity without the drama.
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It takes a little effort, but honestly, it beats the awkward silence every time.
References:
- U.S. Census Bureau (2020) "Race and Ethnicity Standards."
- Pew Research Center (2023) "The Complexity of Hispanic Identity."
- Associated Press Stylebook (2025 Edition) "Race-Related Coverage."
- Gallup (2020) "Hispanic, Latino, or Latinx Survey."