Ethnic origin is a term used to describe the cultural heritage of a person or group. It is often used to refer to the shared cultural identity of a particular group, such as a nation, tribe, or ethnic group. RACE is a term used to describe physical characteristics that are shared by members of a particular group, such as skin color, hair texture, and facial features. Ethnic origin and RACE are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing.