Discover how Korean 은/는 and Japanese は shape contrast and emphasis differently. Learn how these markers reflect unique communication styles in each language. 1. Introduction: Why 은/는 and は Matter When learners of Korean and Japanese first encounter the topic markers 은/는 in Korean and は (wa) in Japanese, they are often told they … Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Why are Korean and Japanese so different, even with close genetic ties? Explore linguistic theories that offer clues.
