Japanese, Koreans, and Chinese are quite different, but their ethnic similarities end up confusing many people. This guide will help you differentiate Asians, Japanese, Koreans, and Chinese.
First, it’s worth remembering that it’s not just the Japanese, Chinese, or Koreans who have small or slanted eyes. Most countries in the Middle East and Asia, and even the indigenous people of Brazil, have slanted eyes.
Another interesting piece of information is that Asian and Western eyes are similar in size or shape; the only difference is that Asian eyes do not have that fold in the upper eyelid, causing a larger part of the eye to be covered by skin.
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How to Distinguish Japanese, Chinese, and Korean by Language?
The first noticeable difference among Asians is their languages. When you hear a Japanese person speak, you can easily differentiate them from a Chinese or Korean person. This is because the Chinese language is tonal and has various syllable variations, while Japanese never changes the syllables. Korean is somewhat similar to Chinese pronunciation but is quite different.
An example I often observe is the pronunciation of “R.” Chinese people usually do not pronounce the R correctly, always saying L instead. Japanese people, on the other hand, cannot say L because there is no L in the Japanese language. Chinese say: Pastel de Flango while Japanese say Pasuteru de Furango.
Another very easy way to differentiate is by name. Japanese names tend to have more than 4 letters and do not contain names with V, M, L, or ending with a consonant. Chinese and Korean names often end with consonants, especially with M, NG, N, and tend to have names with 3 letters. Of course, you will need to hear the surname if the person is just a descendant with a Western name.
Many believe that Chinese and Japanese writing is practically the same, concluding that they are the same languages. We have already written a detailed article explaining differences in the Japanese and Chinese languages, you can read it by clicking here.
I will simplify by saying that the Chinese language is full of little lines (他們有理性和良心), Japanese has few little lines (私はケビンです), while Korean has lines and circles (보기가 역겨워).
Physical Differences Between Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans
It is not easy to determine Asian nationality by skin color, but we can notice that some Chinese tend to have slightly darker skin, while Koreans have lighter and smoother skin. Japanese faces tend to be wider, longer, and triangular, while Koreans have square chins, more prominent jaws, and higher cheekbones. Chinese people usually have rounder faces.
Japanese eyes tend to be slanted upwards, unlike Chinese eyes, which tend to be slanted downwards. Koreans, on the other hand, have smaller eyes. In terms of height, Koreans win with an average height of 1.71 meters, Japanese come in second with an average of 1.69, and Chinese at 1.68.
Regarding hair, nowadays it is very diverse, making it impossible to define. It is believed that at least in the past, Koreans had long hair pulled back, Chinese had styled and wavy hair, and Japanese had hair curled at the ends and covering the forehead.
How to Differentiate by Style, Fashion, and Culture
Another way we can use to differentiate Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans is through their style, fashion, and culture. Fashion is relative and changes very quickly, especially in Japan, where fashion is very diverse and unique. Chinese people tend to care more about wealth and less about design and colors. So it is normal to find Chinese people with shiny and expensive things, jewelry, gold, and a lot of Western fashion.
See also: What are the differences between Japan and China?
In Japan, fashion is a mix of traditional and modern, along with cute, colorful, and unique things. In Japan, fashion and style are very free, to the point that young people spend all their time in their school uniforms even outside of school. Korea cares a lot about fleeting fashion; they follow trends that are quick and care a lot about brands, tending to dye their hair more than Japan and China.
Stereotypical and somewhat racist image released in an old newspaper that received various criticisms.
Chinese people care a lot about reputation, behaving one way with family and another way with friends. Koreans tend to be quite insistent, valuing family, friendship, etc. Japanese people do not like to give opinions or interfere in others’ lives; they prefer harmony with others rather than following their own opinion.
We recommend reading:
- See the differences in thinking between Asians and Westerners
- Meaning of Kawaii – Culture of cuteness in Japan
Can you already differentiate Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans?
I am terrible at memorizing faces, but I can quickly differentiate an Asian by their clothing, conversation, and other linguistic details. Things get a bit more complicated when we are trying to know the origin of a descendant living in Brazil; they are basically Brazilian, so we don’t need to waste time trying to decipher their origins. Just ask!
Some claim that there are great similarities between the Japanese and the Brazilian Tupi Guarani tribe.
The harsh reality is that Asians are quite different and have many variations within their own country. For example, northern Chinese tend to have square faces, small noses, and small eyes. Sometimes it can be difficult to differentiate Japanese from Chinese and Koreans! The countries mix; Koreans undergo plastic surgery to enlarge their eyes, so it gets a bit complicated.
With a short time in Japan, you will notice that Asians or even Japanese people differ completely from one another. They are not to blame for the food and climate contributing to standardized skin, eyes, and body.
Perhaps you want to read our other article that explains why Japanese or Asians have slanted eyes.
Therefore, in my opinion, the easiest way to differentiate is by language, name, and culture. If you think you can differentiate, test your knowledge by looking for quizzes on Google!
Other Ways to Differentiate Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans
Besides appearance, language, and clothing, there are many other ways to differentiate Japanese, Koreans, and Chinese, covering cultural, social, and behavioral aspects. Here are some examples:
Customs and Etiquette
- Japan: bowing as a form of greeting and thanks, strong sense of hierarchy and respect for elders, emphasis on punctuality and organization.
- South Korea: bowing is also used but less deeply than in Japan, handshake common among men, importance of family and respect for elders.
- China: handshake as a standard greeting, culture of banquets and toasts, emphasis on interpersonal relationships and “guanxi” (network of contacts).
Cuisine
- Japan: rice as a staple food, seafood, sushi, sashimi, tempura, ramen, sake.
- South Korea: rice also fundamental, kimchi (fermented and spicy napa cabbage) present in almost every meal, Korean barbecue (bulgogi), bibimbap.
- China: great regional variety, rice and noodles as staples, dishes with meats, vegetables, and tofu, dim sum, tea.
Arts and Entertainment
- Japan: manga and anime, tea ceremony, ikebana (flower arrangement), kabuki (traditional theater), traditional music (koto, shamisen).
- South Korea: k-pop and k-dramas, taekwondo, pansori (traditional narrative singing), folk dances, traditional music (gayageum, janggu).
- China: Chinese opera (Beijing, Sichuan, Kunqu), calligraphy, traditional painting, martial arts (kung fu, tai chi), traditional music (erhu, pipa).
Values and Beliefs
- Japan: Shintoism and Buddhism, harmony with nature, valuing teamwork and collective effort.
- South Korea: Confucianism, Buddhism, and Christianity, importance of education and academic success.
- China: Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, respect for authority and hierarchy, pursuit of prosperity and material success.
Social Behavior
- Japan: introversion, avoiding direct confrontations, prioritizing group well-being, expressing emotions in a restrained manner.
- South Korea: important interpersonal relationships, hospitality, expressing emotions more openly than Japanese people.
- China: extroversion, valuing friendship and loyalty, expressing opinions more directly.
It is important to emphasize that these are generalizations and that there are many individual and regional variations within each country. However, understanding these cultural differences can help gain a deeper understanding and avoid misunderstandings when interacting with people from different backgrounds.
Videos to Help Differentiate East Asians
Thank you for reading our article, don’t forget to share and leave your comments! I will conclude by leaving some videos that may help you differentiate East Asians:
Were you able to differentiate the Japanese from the Koreans and Chinese?
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