Difference Between Japanese, Chinese And Koreans

Asia holds one of the largest collections of different cultures including Chinese, Japanese and Korean. China, Japan and Korea are three countries with a long and interconnected history. At different times, these three countries have influenced or been influenced by one another. Generally, Chinese, Japanese and Koreans are aware of their differences, but it is more difficult for outsiders to observe these differences.

The obvious reality is that Asians are pretty different and have many variations in their fashion, religion, mannerisms, food, culture, language and physical appearance. Typically, it is somehow very difficult to differentiate Japanese, Korean and Chinese from their physical appearance.

Chinese from the North generally tend to have paler skin, square-ish faces with small eyes and noses. Chinese in the South, on the other hand, have darker skin, rounder eyes, rounder faces and broader noses.

Most Japanese people have longer or more of an oval facial structure than the other two nationalities. They also have lower cheekbones and if you take a closer look at most Japanese actresses, they have bigger eyes and more pronounced noses.

Koreans on the other hand have really light and smooth skin. They also have smaller eyes, small but long noses and they have noticeably higher cheekbones. Their facial structure is also rounder, giving them the “youthful” appearance.

In fashion, Modern-day Japanese men and women typically prefer subtle hues, often with dresses and skirts for women and tight pants for men. Koreans, on the other hand, are known to choose brighter colors more often than the Japanese but still bring in a similar element of the Asian vibe. In China, fashion varies greatly in urban and rural settings, but overall they take a more Western approach to their clothing and accessories.

Chinese food is unique in flavor and presentation and the food is eaten with chopsticks. All Chinese chopsticks are built in a way that makes it easier to pick up small, rounded foods like rice or beans. Koreans eat with chopsticks, but use a metal variation of the traditional chopstick which are flat, too, although they are noticably heavier. Koreans always use a large metal spoon with their chopsticks, so enjoying rice or soup is no issue.

Compared to Chinese and Korean counterparts, Japanese chopsticks are the shortest. They also differ in placing – while chopsticks are commonly placed by the side, the Japanese position theirs horizontal to their food (but never across the bowl/plate!) to accommodate their eating style from platters and bento boxes.

Japanese vs Chinese vs Koreans: Key Differences

Language

• Japanese: Japanese is an isolated language, meaning it has no known relation to other languages. It uses a complex writing system that includes three scripts: Kanji (Chinese characters), Hiragana, and Katakana.
• Chinese: Chinese is a Sino-Tibetan language family with many dialects, the most common being Mandarin. It primarily uses Chinese characters (Hanzi) for writing.
• Korean: Korean is a Koreanic language, and its writing system is Hangul, a unique phonetic script developed in the 15th century.

Grammar

• Japanese: Japanese grammar relies heavily on particles and word order to convey meaning. It has a subject-object-verb (SOV) sentence structure.
• Chinese: Chinese grammar uses a subject-verb-object (SVO) sentence structure, and word order is crucial for conveying meaning.
• Korean: Korean grammar also uses an SOV sentence structure, but it has a unique system of particles and verb conjugation to indicate tense and other grammatical features.

Pronunciation

• Japanese: Japanese has a relatively simple sound system with few consonant clusters. It uses pitch accent to distinguish word meanings.
• Chinese: Chinese, especially Mandarin, uses four distinct tones, which can change the meaning of a word. Pronunciation can be challenging for non-native speakers.
• Korean: Korean has a pitch and tone system, but it is relatively less complex than Chinese. It has a diverse range of consonants and vowels.

Writing System

• Japanese: Japanese uses Kanji characters, borrowed from Chinese, alongside Hiragana and Katakana, which are phonetic scripts used for native Japanese words and foreign loanwords, respectively.
• Chinese: Chinese primarily uses Chinese characters (Hanzi), and there are thousands of characters in use.
• Korean: Korean uses Hangul, a phonetic script consisting of 14 basic consonants and 10 basic vowels. It is considered one of the most logical and efficient writing systems.

Cultural Influences

• Japanese: Japanese culture has been influenced by both Chinese and Korean cultures over centuries but has developed its own unique identity.
• Chinese: Chinese culture has greatly influenced neighboring countries like Japan and Korea due to its long history and regional dominance.
• Korean: Korean culture has absorbed elements from Chinese culture but has maintained its distinct identity.

Religion

• Japanese: Major religions include Shintoism and Buddhism, often practiced side by side.
• Chinese: China has a rich religious tapestry, including Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, and various folk religions.
• Korean: Korea practices a mix of Buddhism, Confucianism, and indigenous shamanistic beliefs.

Food

• Japanese: Japanese cuisine includes sushi, sashimi, tempura, and dishes like ramen and udon.
• Chinese: Chinese cuisine varies by region but includes dishes like Peking duck, dim sum, and various noodle dishes.
• Korean: Korean cuisine is known for kimchi, bulgogi, bibimbap, and a variety of spicy dishes.

Clothing

• Japanese: Traditional clothing includes the kimono and yukata.
• Chinese: Traditional clothing includes the qipao and hanfu, varying by region.
• Korean: The traditional Korean clothing is the hanbok, known for its vibrant colors and elegant designs.

Calendar Systems

• Japanese, Chinese, and Korean cultures each have their own traditional calendar systems, often used for cultural events and holidays alongside the Gregorian calendar.

History and Geography

• The historical development, geopolitical circumstances, and interactions with neighboring countries have shaped each culture differently, leading to distinct worldviews and social norms.

Japanese vs Chinese vs Koreans: Key Takeaways

More Takeaways

1. When you hear a Japanese speak you can easily differentiate from a Chinese or Korean. That’s because the Chinese language is tonal and has several syllable variations, while the Japanese never change the syllables. Korean, on the other hand, is somewhat similar to Chinese pronunciation, but it is quite different.
2. The face Japanese people tend to be wider, long and triangular, while Koreans have square chins, more prominent jaws and higher cheekbones. The Chinese tend to have a rounder face.
3. For both of Korean and Japanese language more than 70% of words are chinese based.
4. Both Korea and Japan have their own alphabet. But difference is thar Korea use their alphabet for all of the words including Chinese words, wheras Japan use their alphabet only for their native words and grammar words, for chinese words they use chinese character.
5. Japanese eyes tend to be tilted upwards, unlike the Chinese, who tend to be tilted downwards. Koreans, on the other hand, have smaller eyes.
6. Chinese and Japanese tend to have darker skin, and Koreans have lighter and smoother skin.
7. It is believed that, at least traditionally in the past, Koreans had long hair pulled back. The Chinese had combed and wavy hair and the Japanese hair curved at the end and covered the forehead.
8. Chinese grammar is far more strict and straightforward than its Japanese and Korean counterparts. On the other hand, Chinese sentences tend to have the Subject-Verb-Noun structure we’re used to in English.
9. Japanese names usually have more than four letters and do not have words with V, M, L, or ending with a consonant. The Chinese and Korean characters end up with consonants, mainly with M, NG, N, and usually have three letters.
10. Atheight, the Koreans win with an average of 1.71 meters in height, the Japanese are in second place with an average of 1.69, and the Chinese 1.68.
11. Japanese people loves fish, chicken and beef more than pork meat unlike the Chinese who prefer eating beef and pork. Dishes with beef, chicken, or pork have become iconic in traditional Korean cuisine.
12. Korea cares a lot about passing fashion; they follow trends that are fast and care too much for brands; they tend to color their hair more than Japan and China.
13. Fashion is relative and goes by very fast, especially in Japan, fashion is very diverse and unique. The Chinese tend to care more about wealth and less about design and colors. So it’s normal to find Chinese people with shiny and expensive things, jewelry, gold, and a lot of Western fashion.
14. The Chinese care a lot about reputation and behave In a way with family and another way with friends. Koreans are usually very insistent; they give importance to family, friendship, etc. On the other hand, the Japanese do not like to opine or meddle in the lives of others, preferring harmony with others than following their own opinion.