3 Ways to Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures

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3 Ways to Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures
3 Ways to Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures

Video: 3 Ways to Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures

Video: 3 Ways to Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures
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For Western eyes and ears, it can be tricky to distinguish Japanese from Chinese culture and people. However, for an Asian, they are as different as Brazilian culture is from Russian. After identifying basic differences, it will be possible to distinguish them more easily; understanding a little about the languages and social “suggestions” of each culture helps to better understand the “abyss” that separates these two Asian nations.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Identifying Basic Differences

Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 1
Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 1

Step 1. Note the value placed on education and social harmony

While both cultures are relatively polite compared to Western ones, the Japanese place much more emphasis on customs and social hierarchy than the Chinese. In Japanese society, it is almost impossible for someone to be casual or familiar with someone much older or of greater social stature.

  • While both the Japanese and Chinese are more formal with the elderly, the former adopt an even more respectful tone towards people who are only a year or two older. For example, a first-year college student needs to be much more polite and courteous to a sophomore.
  • The Japanese follow a strict code of self-discipline and decorum in public. It is extremely rare to see two people from this country arguing or showing anger in a busy place; the Chinese, on the other hand, don't see this as a problem.
Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 2
Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 2

Step 2. Learn about the far-reaching reach of Japanese pop culture

While the Chinese do not have great motivation to disseminate their popular culture, the Japanese already have their culture spread all over the world. Mangas, anime and cosplay are all very well known aspects of the western population.

  • Much of the difference between pop culture comes from the difference between the command mentality of the two countries. China has a government and an economy based on communism, making society not based on consumerism; Japan, on the other hand, has a bubbling capitalist system that fuels citizens' desire for wealth and entertainment.
  • In China, film and music have a lot of government propaganda along with a large political agenda, limiting their popularity outside the country.
Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 3
Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 3

Step 3. Assess the role religion plays in everyday countries

As China adopts the communist system, many Chinese embrace atheism; various religious are persecuted, causing such ceremonies and meetings to be held in secret. The Japanese are much more religious, with a predominance of Buddhism and Shintoism.

  • Japanese temples and sacred gardens are located throughout the country, with formal public ceremonies.
  • There are also many Christians in Japan, while this religion is banned in China.
Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 4
Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 4

Step 4. Understand the difference in geography and demography

China has a territory only slightly smaller than the United States, while Japan is the size of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. The difference in territory makes the Land of the Rising Sun much more urbanized than China, that it has a people who work predominantly in agricultural and industrial production. In Japan, most of the population works in the service sector.

  • Due to China's territorial extension, it is difficult to generalize the country's culture. Each region has different traditions, customs and beliefs. On the other hand, Japan has a more homogeneous culture.
  • As an island, Japan has remained relatively isolated from outside influences throughout history. Thus, it presents a unique culture when compared to many others. In contrast, traders from China were exposed to many nationalities and customs, incorporating various styles, beliefs and practices.
Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 5
Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 5

Step 5. Distinguish between Japanese and Chinese cuisine

The first has a lot of fresh and raw foods, especially seafood, while the second has a lot of fried foods. Both rice and noodles are prominent in both countries, but the way to prepare it is quite different, and the flavors are almost opposite.

  • In China, rice is fried and mixed with vegetables, eggs and sauce, serving as the base of a meal, while in Japan it is “sticky” and usually served as an accompaniment.
  • Fresh vegetables in Japan are braised and served separately; in China, they are fried with meat and mixed together.

Tip:

in both countries, chopsticks are used as cutlery, but their style is different in each location. In Japan they have rounded tips and are shorter than in China.

Method 2 of 3: Interpreting the “Signs” of Each Culture

Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 6
Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 6

Step 1. When greeting, people will also bow

Chinese and Japanese bow when greeting someone for the first time, with the latter having stricter rules, with protocols based on the age and social stature of the individual being greeted.

In China, bowing is replaced by a handshake, more common in Western cultures, unless you are shaking hands with an elderly person. In addition, they may nod their head, showing respect, along with a handshake. On the other hand, this gesture, however brief, is considered impolite in Japan unless it greets a close friend of the same age or younger

Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 7
Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 7

Step 2. Hear the volume of people's voices when they speak

Japanese people are much quieter in public; on buses or subways, for example, many turn off their cell phones and do not talk. When they speak, they can give the impression that they are in a hurry.

In China, on the other hand, there is not so much rigidity about talking or talking on cell phones in public. When you see a group of Asians talking loudly and laughing, they are far more likely to be Chinese than Japanese

Tip:

Still, it is recommended not to take this factor into account if people are in a western country. They may be of Asian descent or have been living there for a long time, adopting local customs.

Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 8
Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 8

Step 3. Pay attention to gestures and non-verbal communication

In both cultures, this type of communication is widely used, especially in Japan, which has more emphasis on rigid social hierarchies. To distinguish between the two cultures, note the closeness of people as they converse and their body language, which demonstrates more submission and respect.

  • For example: in China, silence indicates that the subject is agreeing with what the other is saying. When disagreeing, it is more common for a person to discuss the matter before giving their opinion.
  • As the language and the various Chinese dialects are very tone-oriented, the country's population does not use it to communicate what they want to say. That's why gestures and body language are more important than usual.
  • In Japan, non-verbal communication is a form of respect and education. When a person maintains a great distance from another and bends a lot when greeting him, for example, it is possible to infer that he has a smaller social stature and great respect for the person who greeted him.

Method 3 of 3: Identifying Language Differences

Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 9
Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 9

Step 1. Analyze Japanese writings

In both languages, Chinese characters (“hànzì” in China and “kanji” in Japan) are used, but there is also the “hiragana” system in the Land of the Rising Sun. So, remember that when you see this writing system, you are reading something in Japanese.

  • “Hiragana” characters are more curved and less dense; some are even cute! It's easy to distinguish them from “kanji”, which are more angular and complex. Remember the following character: “の”. It is quite common in Japanese script and has no counterpart in Chinese script, so when you meet it, you'll know the text is from Japan.
  • The most angular Japanese script is “katakana”, which is used for words that are “borrowed” from another language, such as English.

Tip:

While the Japanese have three distinct types of writing, there is only one Japanese language. On the other hand, China has only one system, but several languages and dialects that use this same system, just as there are many languages that use the Roman alphabet.

Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 10
Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 10

Step 2. Pay attention to changes in tone when a person speaks

All Chinese dialects are “tonal,” meaning that increasing or decreasing a person's tone of voice changes the spoken word. When listening to one of the variations of the Chinese language, the ears of a Western individual may have the impression that it is “singing”.

In contrast, the Japanese language is more “monotonous”. When speaking, the person modulates the tone of voice to express their emotions and intentions, as in Portuguese or English, the tone is increased at the end of a sentence to indicate a question

Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 11
Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 11

Step 3. Pay attention to vowel sounds

The Japanese language has only five vowel sounds and about 100 different syllables, which can be arranged in limited ways. When hearing few vowel sounds or word variations, the individual should be Japanese.

On the other hand, the Chinese language has many vowel sounds depending on its position in the word and the pitch in which it is emitted! Hearing too much variation in vowel sounds can signal that the person is speaking Chinese

Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 12
Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 12

Step 4. Pay attention to the end of a word

In Chinese, they can end with any letter – many end in consonants – while in Japanese, they end only in vowels or the letter “n”.

When someone is speaking in a relatively monotone voice, with every word ending in a vowel, it is possible to infer with almost complete certainty that the subject is speaking Japanese

Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 13
Distinguish Between Japanese and Chinese Cultures Step 13

Step 5. The individual's name can also indicate their nationality

There are many more Japanese surnames than Chinese; moreover, in Japan, the surname can be two or three syllables in length and always ending in a vowel. In China, they should have only one syllable and end in a consonant.

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