How does the Korean alphabet differ from Chinese? Is Japanese written with Chinese characters? To many Westerners, it’s impossible to distinguish between the three languages on paper. However, after reading this post, you should have no issues telling Chinese, Japanese, and Korean apart.
The Scripts
When it comes to computers, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean are usually grouped together under the acronym CJK, and for good reason.
While they’re linguistically unrelated, all three can be written both vertically and horizontally, and all three use Chinese characters - hànzì in Chinese, kanji in Japanese, and hanja in Korean – which is one of the main reasons for the confusion.
Let’s take a look at the difference between Chinese, Japanese, and Korean and see if we can tell them apart without having to learn any of the languages.
The Chinese language is the only one which entirely relies on this script, and even then, at least two different versions are in active use all over the world; traditional and simplified.
Below is the first sentence of the Wikipedia article on the color orange in hànzì:
橙色,又稱橘色,為二次顏料色,是红色与黄色的混合,得名于橙的颜色。
Note how most of the Chinese characters are very dense and square. Chinese characters are the oldest continuously-used systems of writing in the world, so don’t be surprised if you come across handwritten texts which at first sight don’t resemble the above example.
Moving to Japanese, this language has the largest number of official scripts in the world.
Kanji – Chinese characters – are used for most words of Chinese and Japanese origins. Hiragana, the curvy, feminine script, was originally used by women, but it’s now the main building block of the Japanese language – employed for both grammar and vocabulary.
Katakana, the manly, more angular script, is used mainly for loan words, onomatopoeia, and transliteration of foreign words. Finally, romaji, the familiar Latin script used in English and other Western languages, can be found everywhere, from product packaging to company names.
Below is the Wikipedia description of the color orange, employing katakana, kanji, and hiragana, all in the same sentence.
オレンジ色は、果物のオレンジの実のような色。また、夕日に染まる茜雲のような色。
As you can see, due to the use of katakana and hiragana, Japanese is slightly more airy and spacious than Chinese. As a general rule, unlike Chinese and Korean, Japanese also doesn’t use any form of question or exclamation marks, but you might still meet them in some situations.
The Korean language, in the mid-15th century, transitioned to hangul – the only script in the world made by an individual, for which the theory and motives behind its creation have been fully set out and explained.
It’s known as one of the most scientific writing systems in the world, and is neither based on ancient written languages, nor an imitation of another set of characters.
In South Korea, you can still meet hanja – Chinese characters – every once in a while, but the script is quickly becoming obsolete.
주황(Orange)은 색 중 하나이다. 이 색은 빨강과 노랑의 중간색이며.
Take note of the many circular shapes used in hangul – these are almost non-existent in the other two languages, thus making the script easy to recognize. Furthermore, unlike Chinese and Japanese, Korean has completely adopted European punctuation marks, from commas to question marks, and space-delimits words and sentences.
Source: lingualift
Images: depositphotos
Sun Poisoning vs. Sunburn - The Important Differences
Now that the hot months are almost here, it's important to know how to tell sun poisoning from an ordinary sunburn.
Who Are the Americans That Live in North Korea?
Considering North Korea's secrecy and animosity towards the US, it's surprising to learn that 200 Americans live in the Hermit Kingdom... Who are these people?
5 Extremely Healthy Food Combos You Should All Know About...
When paired together, certain foods can be a lot healthier than if they are eaten on their own. Here are 5 extremely healthy food combinations.
Conspiracy Theories - A Few Fascinating Things to Consider
Conspiracy theories are easy to dismiss, but they are a normal and interesting part of human psychology. Learn 6 facts on conspiracy theories here.
Forget Apples! It's an Egg a Day That Keeps the Doc Away...
According to new research, it could actually be an egg a day that keeps the doctor away.Find out more here!
Why Do People In Big Cities Walk FASTER?
It's been proven that people who live in big, densely populated cities tend to walk faster than those who live in smaller towns. The question is why?
DIY: Make Your Own Wall Stencil in 8 Easy Steps
Get a designer look for half the price. This easy DIY guide will show you how to make a beautiful wall stencil in 8 easy steps.
9 Foods that Directly Affect Our Body Odor
In this article, you can find details about six ingredients that can make your body odor unpleasant, and three more that bring out a nice scent.
GUIDE: Learn 3 Proven Problem-Solving Methods
Your ability to solve problems, or lack thereof, has a great bearing on whether you can be happy and successful. Try these 3 problem-solving methods.
7 Signs Your Dog Has Imprinted on You
Have you ever wondered if your furry friend has chosen you as their special person?
5 Surprising Health Benefits of Being Stressed
Can stress have a positive effect on your body and mind? Discover the health benefits of stress here.
Keep Your Oven Clean with This All-Natural Cleaner
This non-toxic all-natural oven cleaner will keep your oven looking spick and span.
I Just Found the Most Useful Material in the House!
Toothpaste has so many uses - it's truly amazing. Next time you encounter any of these problems, turn to this list to find out how toothpaste can help.
The Right Way to Fold a Sweater and Keep it Lasting Longer
This guide will teach you exactly how to fold your sweaters.
Neglecting to Clean These Items Can Be DANGEROUS
These items in your home have to be cleaned regularly. Otherwise, they can become a real fire hazard!
Learn This Amazing Two-Step Fix For Scratched Furniture
You can give your scratched furniture a whole new lease of life by learning this super-easy two-step solution. Take a look.
Keep Your Clothes Whiter with These 7 Tips
With these handy tips, you can make your whites last longer using simple household ingredients.
These Handy Tools Are On a Whole Other Level!
Watch some of the most brilliant and helpful tools out there.
Cowboy Cures: Saddle Up for Immune-Boosting Home Remedies
Watch this video to learn some useful cowboy cures for a healthy life.
Manage Stress in Your 50s with These Meditation Techniques
Manage stress in your 50s with these meditation styles.
These Aromatic Oils Will Do Wonders For Your Sleep
I've suffered with sleep problems for years, and no treatments seemed to work until I stumbled across this one. Take a look.
The Way We Were - Shocking Ads from the 1950s
This series of advertisements from the 1950s is more than just your regular nostalgia. Look at these ads and be amazed with all the progress women have made!
These 12 Colorful Fish Can Be Easily Kept In Your Home!
Whether you've always wanted to raise fish in your home aquarium or you already have one and you're looking for new varieties to add, this is the article for you!
Guide: Did You Know About These Extra Uses?
This collection features the best tips and alternative uses for many of your household items. Each of these posts has a lot of information for alternative uses to make your lives easier.
9 Ultimate Methods for Stain Removal around the House
Things we;ve had for a long time tend to lose their fresh-out-the-box look but this can be remedied! These methods will help you remove those stubborn stains!
Kitchen Knife vs. Kitchen Tools: Which is Faster?
In this video, we are introduced to an interesting challenge: kitchen gadgets versus the traditional knife.
Avoid Spending Extra Cash on these Unnecessary Upgrades!
To make sure you don't have buyer's remorse after making a big electrical appliance purchase, avoid these upgrades!
5 Wonderful Facial Scrubs You Can Easily Make at Home
There's no reason to spend a fortune on branded facial scrubs, when you can easily make some at home!
How to Use Ice Cube Trays to Make Delicious Dishes!
I had no idea there were such creative and delicious uses for the ice cube tray!
If You Value Your Health, Wash These 9 Foods Well
Are you washing these 9 foods correctly? Probably not!
What Happens to Your Breasts When You Don't Wear a Bra
What happens when you don't wear a bra? Here are 8 health benefits of not wearing a bra you may not know about.
6 Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar You're Probably Unaware Of
If you think that apple cider vinegar is only good for cooking, we advise you to think again! Here are 6 great additional uses.
Cola Has Many Surprising Uses Other Than Drinking It
Cola may be a popular drink, but here are 19 other ways you can use it.
12 Words You Probably Didn't Know Were Acronyms
Without even realizing it, we are frequently incorporating many acronyms into our everyday lives!
You Can Do a Lot More With Milk Than Just Drinking It...
Milk is a basic ingredient in any household, but it's a waste to use it just for drinking, when you can put it into many more uses that will make your life easier while also saving you money!
Cream Of Tartar Will Do Wonders For Your Health and Home!
If you've never heard of cream of tartar, you should find out how many different health benefits and uses this wonderful powder has!
Can One Determine Personality Traits Off Fingerprint Types?
Dermatoglyphics, the study of fingerprints, is so precise that someone's personality type can be determined simply by looking at their fingerprint patterns!
Simple Tricks to Keep Your Bathtub Spotlessly Clean
Having a sparkling clean bathtub isn’t as difficult as it may seem. Here are some simple tips that will help.
I Never Imagined That I Could Use Cucumbers in These Ways
Take a look at the video below and see how cucumbers can help save you some money in 10 different ways.
These 10 Phrases Will Make People Like You a Lot More!
Your choice of words can leave a long after the particulars have been forgotten. Here are 10 phrases you should add to your daily speech.
Shocking! How Thieves Steal Card Details at the ATM
Take note of some of the most common ways thieves will try to steal your credit card details.
Some Great and Cheap Ways You Can Remove Rust from Metal
Where's there's metal, there's rust - it's an ever annoying problem. These remedies allow you to restore rusty items without using harmful chemicals!
These Are the 8 Healthiest Plants To Have In Your Home
Houseplants have health benefits, from cleaning the air around you to boosting your mood. Learn which ones are the healthiest to have around.
Quick and Easy Ways to Defrost Your Car Windscreen
Going to your car and finding the windscreens covered in ice is one thing that annoys us all. Here are three easy ways to quickly defrost your car windows!
Discover: Who Are the Most Successful Inventors in History?
If you love inventions and history, you'll find this post fascinating!
These Items Should Never, Ever Be Stored In a Garage...
We often overlook how to store items correctly, and many of these items usually end up in our garage. Here are 9 items you should never store in your garage.
How to Become Wiser in 6 Simple Steps
Intelligence is something, some say, we are born with. On the other hand, wisdom, which is far more useful, is definitely something one can accumulate over a lifetime. Many search for ways to become wise, but few feel they have really achieved it. Ch