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Subject | Humanities & Social Sciences
Cultural Exchange and Barriers between Japan and China-focusing on Language Differences-
- Loanwords
- Kanji
- China-Japan Comparison
- Japanese
- Chinese
Kanji is shared between Japan and China, and has played an important role in mutual understanding. But there are pitfalls. For example, the Japanese word for the bowl from which rice is eaten (chawan) can be translated as "tea bowl," while the Chinese call it a "small bowl." We already see a difference in wording here. Furthermore, while the Japanese may think of it as a vessel for eating rice, in China it is likely thought of as being used for eating various side dishes and soup in addition to various main dishes. Also, in China, the chawan is not understood to be tableware for eating white rice. Here, we see not only a difference in the meaning of words but also a difference caused by lifestyle habits. This kind of difference actually occurs in many kanji words, and can be a big issue that sometimes develops into a social problem of great misunderstanding in cultural exchange between Japan and China.
©Hiroshima University. Last Update 2024-01-31
Content／学習内容
Staff／スタッフ
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- Teacher
Hiroshi AramiHiroshima UniversityDistinguished Professor
