日本語の特徴 – What makes Japanese Unique

The writing system, how the social situation changes how you speak, the phonology of the language, and so on is what makes Japanese unique. All languages are unique in some way and at the same time similar to other languages. Japanese is no different but does have some specific characteristics that set it aside from other languages.

Japanese has 3 Specialized Writing Systems

The three writing systems in Japanese are Kanji (漢字), Hiragana (ひらがな), and Katakana (カタカナ). Kanji was introduced into Japan from China.

Many of the characters are the same in both languages but some Kanji have been created in Japan. Also, Japanese Kanji is based on an older version of the Kanji than China’s current characters so many are written differently. Kanji is used for writing most words in Japanese.

https://japaneseuniverse.com/2024/02/18/pac-man-in-japaneseconcepts-behind-development-to-global-icon/

Hiragana is a phonetic writing system that is used to write grammatical participles and other grammatical features of words. It is also used to write words that don’t have Kanji or when you don’t know the Kanji. 

Finally, Katakana is used to write recent loanwords that are in Japanese. It can also be used to write onomatopoeias and sometimes for emphasis.

Loanwords and Native words use different polite prefixes

For example, there are two prefixes added to words to make them polite, o (お) and go (ご). Words of Chinese origin known as Kango (漢語) usually get prefixed with  ご. For Wago (和語) or words of native Japanese origin, (お) is used. お may also be used with Kango words however such as お茶 or tea. Recent Loanwords written in Katakana though do not get a prefix. These recent loanwords are called Gairaigo (外来語).

Sounds are Noticeably different for Native and Loanwords

Also, the phonology of three types of words differs enough that it is usually easy to know which type they are. Gairaigo have sounds such as ti, je, fa, and so on which are not in native Japanese or Wago. Kango has sounds that are most of the time used only for Kango. For example, sounds with the small ya, yu, yo (ゃ、ゅ、ょ) such as (きゃ、にゅ、びょ) are used mostly in Kango or Gairaigo.

The exception though is with onomatopoeias which take full advantage of all the sounds available in Japanese. Some native Japanese words though, such as Cucumber (きゅうり) may have this sound but they are always from some reduced older form. In this example きゅうり comes from きうり.

Japanese has Silent Vowels

First look at the two sounds, s and z. The only difference is that for z your vocal cords are vibrating where for s they are not. So, z is known as a voiced consonant and s and unvoiced. If you want to speak without voicing any sound then essentially you would be whispering.

In English, all vowels are voiced. In Japanese however, different circumstances cause the vowels to become unvoiced. Often it is either i or u which becomes unvoiced. This happens between two unvoiced consonants or at the end of a word most of the time. For example, in 七（しち) seven the i in し is unvoiced.

Japanese Onomatopoeia’s represent more than just sounds

In Japanese, there are words that mimic the sound, such as what sound an animal makes or the sound of something falling. Japanese is unique in that it extends this to represent moods, conditions, movements, the way things look, and so on.

This in itself is not unique since English has many words that represent the same kind of phenomena. The difference in Japanese is that it has a lot more and is used more often. Onomatopoeia is called a few things in Japanese, Giongo (擬音語) for just mimicked sounds or Gitaigo (擬態語) for mimicked states and other non-sound words. If you want to know more I have other articles all about them here.

Saying I and You in Japanese is an Art Form

In English, I am sure that most of us have not had to think about which word we should use when referring to ourselves. In Japanese however, there are several choices. If you are talking to someone in an informal situation you would use different words for you and I.

There is even a certain level of choice you have to which word you will use.  I talk more about how to say I in the article below.

https://japaneseuniverse.com/2022/03/13/what-should-i-call-myself-in-japanese/

Also, I talk more about how to say you in the article below>

https://japaneseuniverse.com/2020/06/26/what-do-i-call-you-in-japanese/

Japanese is a Language with many Special Characteristics

Again all languages have unique characteristics to them. Japanese has many more things about it that makes it an interesting and unique language. If you are interested in learning more check out some of my other articles.

If you want to learn more Japanese I reviewed a dictionary of grammar series which I personally recommend and use myself.