Chinese vs. Japanese: A Deep Dive into Two Distinct Tongues

If one’s unfamiliar with the Chinese and Japanese languages, it may be possible to think they sound the same. Many Westerners are unable to distinguish between these two languages. 

However, Chinese and Japanese are very different languages, and understanding the differences can help you decide which one to learn first. 

Origins and linguistic families

One thing all language buffs want to know is the historical development of the language they’re about to learn. The origins and development of language are a fascinating topic.

Historical development of the Chinese and Japanese languages

Chinese is one of the world's oldest written languages, with written evidence of beautiful Chinese words dating back over 3,000 years. With over a billion people living in China, it’s no surprise that Chinese is the most widely spoken language in the world. Mandarin Chinese is the most widely spoken Chinese language, although other Chinese dialects are spoken in various regions of China. 

The history of the Japanese language is more difficult to define. The lack of written historical records means that experts don’t know when the Japanese language first developed. During the 4th century, the Japanese written language developed using Chinese characters.

Language families: Sino-Tibetan vs. Japonic

The Chinese language is part of the Sino-Tibetan language family, the largest in the world. This is thanks in no small part to the Chinese language. Sino-Tibetan languages share common features, which is how historians know they are related. 

The Japanese language is an isolated language, meaning historians haven’t been able to trace it back to any other language. Although the Japanese language uses Chinese characters and some Chinese vocabulary, its grammar and phonetics are distinctly different from those of Chinese. 

1

Writing systems: Hanzi and Kanji

Both Chinese and Japanese use traditional Chinese characters, but when it comes to Chinese vs Japanese writing, each has characters unique to their own language. 

Each language contains thousands more characters than the 26 English letters you’re used to. But don’t worry, with time and dedication, it is absolutely possible to learn to read and write in Chinese and Japanese.

Chinese characters (Hanzi): structure and usage

Chinese is written with characters, not letters. These characters are known as Hanzi. There are traditional and simplified Chinese characters. Simplified Chinese characters are easier to write and read, and are commonly used across mainland China. 

According to the Asia Society, you will need to learn between 3,000 and 4,000 Chinese characters for good literacy. While this might sound daunting, it is more than achievable to learn the necessary number of characters. The key is to take it one day at a time. 

Try to learn 20 new Chinese characters each day. If you keep going, you’ll know enough to read and write in Chinese in less than a year. Be sure to practice speaking at the same time as well.

Japanese scripts: Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana

The Japanese written language consists of three written systems, which might sound complicated, but it’s easier than it seems. The three writing systems are:

• Kanji
• Hiragana
• Katakana

Kanji is the primary writing system, borrowing from Chinese characters. Generally, most words are written in kanji, and this is the writing system you need to understand to be able to read and write in Japanese. 

You also need to understand Hiragana and Katakana, and know when to use each system. Hiragana characters represent sounds; there are 46 characters to represent the 46 sounds in the Japanese language. 

Katakana is another way of representing the sounds in the Japanese language. This system is commonly used for words borrowed from other languages or to add emphasis to words. 

Simplified vs. traditional characters

There are over 50,000 characters in the Chinese language, though you don’t need to learn them all. Schoolchildren in China typically learn around 3,500 characters by the time they graduate from school, although many students leave with significantly more. 

Simplified Chinese was introduced to reduce the learning burden and improve literacy. Simplifying the characters and introducing compulsory education successfully improved literacy levels in China. 

A 2024 study published in the Journal of Chinese Writing Systems found that learning one script (simplified or traditional) enabled learners to understand the other, thanks to the significant overlap between the two writing systems. 

Pronunciation and phonetics

Though they both use many of the same written characters, the two languages sound very different. 

Tonal nature of Mandarin Chinese

Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language, which means the tone changes the meaning of the word. There are four main tones, as well as a neutral tone. A sound may mean different things when said in different tones, so it’s essential to master the Chinese tones to ensure people can understand you. 

Though the idea of mastering the tonal element of the Chinese language may be nerve-wracking, the sooner you start practicing, the sooner you’ll perfect this skill.

Pitch accent in Japanese

Japanese is a pitch accent. Pitch determines how you should pronounce each word. The good news is that you’ll likely be able to speak and understand Japanese even without perfect pitch. 

Though pitch can change the meaning of some words, the words usually have very different meanings, so you can use context to figure out what people are saying. 

Grammar and sentence structure

Another big difference between Chinese and Japanese is the way sentences are constructed. While Chinese is similar to English in this respect, Japanese uses a different system.

Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) in Chinese

The English and Chinese languages use subject-verb order, which means you can figure out how to construct your sentence the same way as you would when speaking English. 

Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) in Japanese

In the Japanese language, things are done slightly differently. The Japanese language follows the subject-order-verb pattern, which means that, as an English speaker learning Japanese, you have to consider sentence structure while working out what you want to say. 

While this may sound more complicated, once you get the hang of it, it can even be much easier than constructing sentences in English. 

Vocabulary and loanwords

Japanese uses words loaned from the Chinese language, and vice versa. Both languages also have loanwords taken from other languages from around the world, such as English and German. 

You’re probably already using Japanese words in English without realizing it. Sushi, karaoke, and anime are all words derived from Japanese. 

Cultural context and usage

Both Japan and China are high-context cultures, meaning people place a great deal of value on nonverbal communication. In Chinese and Japanese cultures, respect and hierarchy play an essential role. It is crucial to speak respectfully, especially to your elders and those in positions of authority. 

Japanese and Chinese societies place a lot of value on harmony, and people make an effort to maintain harmony and avoid confrontation when communicating with others. 

Learning considerations

If you’re trying to decide which to learn first, you should choose the language that you’re most excited about learning. With so many characters to learn, you want to approach the subject with enthusiasm. 

Difficulty levels for English speakers

Both Chinese and Japanese languages present a learning challenge to English speakers, not least because they use thousands of characters as opposed to the 26 letters you’re used to. However, do not let that put you off learning these wonderful languages. 

Some English speakers find the tonal aspect of Chinese challenging to master, whereas others are drawn to Chinese due to its simple sentence structures. You could find arguments for and against learning each language, but you’d be better off picking the one that appeals to you the most. 

Resources for learning Chinese and Japanese

Promova is a language learning platform that can help you reach your goals of speaking fluent Chinese and Japanese. With guided courses, speaking exercises, and fun quizzes, you can boost your language skills and make learning a new language fun.

Practice new phrases, build your vocabulary, and boost your motivation with the one-stop solution for all your language needs. Promova can help you learn Chinese or Japanese, even if you’re a complete beginner.