Language

Korean vs Japanese Kanji Readings: Why Korea Uses Only On’yomi While Japan Keeps Both

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Korean vs Japanese Kanji Readings

Discover the evolution of Korean writing from mixed Hanja-Hangul scripts to Hangul-only usage, and explore the differences between Korean and Japanese kanji reading systems, including on’yomi and kun’yomi, in shaping language practices.   Introduction: The Role of Sino-Korean and Sino-Japanese Readings When learning Korean and Japanese, students often notice that many words are derived from … Read more

Korean Subject Markers 이/가 vs. Japanese が: A Historical and Linguistic Analysis

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korean 가 and japanese が

Why does Korean have two subject markers, 이/가, while Japanese only uses が? Dive into the fascinating history, phonetic patterns, and modern usage of these essential particles. Perfect for language learners and anyone curious about Korean-Japanese grammar differences. Introduction When diving into Korean and Japanese, learners quickly encounter a common linguistic challenge: understanding the use … Read more

Sana, Sakura, and Tsuki: How Japanese K-pop Idols Struggle with Korean “공룡” Pronunciation

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Twice's Sana

Discover why Japanese K-pop idols like Sana, Sakura, and Tsuki struggle with the Korean word “공룡.” Explore Korean pronunciation challenges, Japanese phonetics, and how language systems affect idol performances.   1. Why is “공룡 (dinosaur)” one of the hardest words for Japanese K-pop idols? If you’re a K-pop fan, you’ve probably noticed something funny. TWICE’s … Read more

Korean vs Japanese Pronouns: Why ‘You’ Is Rarely Used

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Korean Old Man Confused by Foreign Young Man's Words

Discover why Koreans rarely use “you” in conversation and how to use -ssi(씨) correctly. Learn the differences with Japanese -san(さん) and see practical examples of polite address in everyday situations. Useful insights for learners of Korean and Japanese.   Intro When learning Korean, many beginners tend to oversimplify honorifics and pronouns. For instance, they may … Read more

Understanding Korean -ssi(씨) vs Japanese -san(さん): Politeness and Honorifics Explained

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Understanding Korean -ssi(씨) vs Japanese -san(さん)

This article explores the use of Korean -ssi(씨) and Japanese -san(さん), two honorifics that appear similar on the surface but function differently in daily communication. It examines the forms, typical usage patterns, and social nuances of each honorific, highlighting when they are appropriate, how they can misfire, and what cultural and hierarchical cues they convey. … Read more

Politeness and Honorifics in Korean vs. Japanese: Understanding Everyday Communication

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A young Korean man and a young Japanese woman are talking to each other.

The use of politeness and honorifics plays a central role in communication within Korean and Japanese cultures. Both languages rely on specific modifications to verbs, nouns, and expressions to convey respect, establish social hierarchy, or indicate levels of familiarity. This analysis explores how these linguistic features are applied in everyday interactions, highlighting the parallels as … Read more

Korean vs. Japanese Grammar: Key Differences for Beginners

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Korean street, Japanese street

Learn the key differences between Korean and Japanese grammar for beginners, including sentence structure, modifiers, and word order, to better understand how the two languages function.   1. Introduction: Why Compare Korean and Japanese Grammar? Korean and Japanese are often described as “similar” languages by learners and linguists alike. This perception largely stems from their … Read more

Loanwords in Korean and Japanese: A Tale of Two Adaptations

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Why Korean and Japanese Borrowed Words Differ

Korean and Japanese borrowed words from Chinese and English differently. Learn how history, pronunciation, and meaning shaped unique adaptations. Loanwords—words adopted from one language into another—are fascinating markers of cultural exchange and linguistic evolution. Over centuries, both Korean and Japanese have integrated thousands of such words, influenced heavily by ancient Chinese and more recently by … Read more

Theories in Debate: How Scholars Explain the Gap Between Korean and Japanese

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Language Contact, Altaic Theories, and More

Scholars debate whether Korean and Japanese share common origins, or diverged through contact and convergence. Discover the key theories and debates. Although Koreans and Japanese are genetically close, their languages show significant differences. Various theories attempt to explain this linguistic divergence, but many aspects remain a mystery. When we talk about the origins of Korean … Read more

Peninsular Japonic Hypothesis: A Closer Look

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Peninsular Japonic Hypothesis

Dive into the Peninsular Japonic Hypothesis, exploring the theory that ancient Japonic languages once thrived on the Korean Peninsula before spreading to Japan. Understand its implications for the linguistic relationship between Korean and Japanese.     In our previous post we noted a striking puzzle: Koreans and Japanese are genetically and geographically close, yet their … Read more