What kind of language is Japanese?

About the Japanese Language

Japanese is the language spoken in Japan and is one of the world’s most important languages. Japanese is mainly used within Japan, with approximately 100 million native speakers.

Japanese is written using three types of characters: “hiragana,” “katakana,” and “kanji.” Hiragana and katakana are phonetic characters, while kanji represent meanings. Japanese grammar is characterized by having the subject at the end of the sentence. 

Additionally, Japanese has an honorific language called “keigo.” Honorific languages change the words used based on the status or age of the listener, expressing respect, humility, and other feelings. 

Japanese plays a vital role in international exchanges with Japan, which possesses fascinating culture and technology that attract people from all over the world. Furthermore, Japanese is known for its beautiful words and expressions, which have garnered high acclaim in literary works, such as poetry, novels, and songs.

About Kanji

Japanese kanji are characters that have been developed uniquely in Japan after being introduced from China, and they play a significant role in Japanese writing. Kanji are characters that represent meanings, and while there are tens of thousands of kanji in Japanese, the number of commonly used kanji is estimated to be around 2,000 to 3,000.

In Japan, there is a set of 2,136 characters called “Joyou Kanji,” which are commonly used and have been established as the kanji learned in elementary school. In addition, kanji in Japan are often accompanied by phonetic readings called “furigana” that are written in hiragana, making them accessible to a wide range of users from children to adults.

One reason why kanji play an essential role in Japanese is that they can express different meanings even for words with the same pronunciation. For example, “花” and “華” have the same pronunciation but have different meanings.

Kanji are deeply rooted in Japanese culture, history, and traditions, enriching the expressiveness of the Japanese language. Moreover, for foreigners learning Japanese, kanji represent a challenging aspect and an essential element in studying the language.

About Hiragana

Hiragana is a phonetic writing systems used to write Japanese, with characters for the 50 sounds found in the language. Hiragana is used to express words and sentences and is generally composed of relatively simple characters.

Hiragana began in the Heian period (around the year 900) when kanji from China were used as phonetic characters. Subsequently, it evolved from kanji to represent pronunciations, and several improvements were made until it took the form of modern hiragana.

Hiragana is expressed by combining five vowels and 20 consonants. There are also special sounds, such as voiced and semi-voiced consonants, geminate consonants, and palatalized consonants. Japanese hiragana is typically written vertically from top to bottom, but it can also be written horizontally from left to right.

Hiragana is mainly used in everyday writing and children’s books. It is easier to write and learn for children compared to kanji, making it essential for beginners as well. In addition, it can also be used in conjunction with katakana and kanji.

About Katakana

Katakana is the other phonetic writing systems used to write Japanese, with characters for the 50 sounds found in the language. Katakana is used to represent foreign words, transcriptions of foreign languages, or idiomatic expressions.

Like hiragana, katakana is expressed by combining five vowels and 20 consonants. There are also special symbols, such as the long vowel mark (ー) and the geminate consonant (ッ).

Katakana also began in the Heian period when kanji from China were used as phonetic characters, but it has since undergone various improvements before taking its current form.

Katakana is widely used to represent foreign words and transcribed foreign languages. It is also used for brand names and product names. Katakana, like hiragana, is easy to write and understand for beginners, making it  essential for Japanese learners.

It is worth noting that hiragana and katakana are often used together in Japanese sentences. For example, they are frequently used in combination with kanji, and it is essential to utilize the characteristics of each writing system skillfully to achieve a balanced representation.

What is Keigo?

Keigo refers to Japanese words used to show respect and honor toward another person. There are three types of expressions classified as keigo in Japanese. Below are descriptions of each:

1. “Sonkeigo”: Words used when showing respect toward someone. For example, they are used when addressing older people or people in higher positions. Typical expressions include “o～ni naru.”
2. “Kenjougo”: These are words used when humbling oneself. For example, they are used when expressing humility in one’s actions or words toward superiors or seniors. Typical expressions include “～de gozaimasu” and “tsutanai.”
3. “Teineigo”: These are words used in everyday conversations or writing to show respect for others. For example, they are used when addressing salesclerks, teachers, or customers. Typical expressions include “～masu” and “o～kudasai.”

Keigo is an essential element for those learning Japanese as it requires choosing the appropriate expression depending on the situation and the other person. Also, in conversations among Japanese people, using keigo can effectively convey respect for the other party.