Language
Japanese Calligraphy
Three categories of words exist in Japanese. Some words were originally borrowed from China in earlier history, and the smallest but a rapidly growing category of words in modern times from languages such as English.
This third category also contains a small number of words that have come from other Asian languages. Studies by the National Language Institute show that the frequency of these three types of words varies according to the kinds of written material examined.
Native Japanese words consist of more than half of the total words, while the Chinese borrowed words average less than half, and the rest drawn from the recently borrowed words from languages from the western side of the world.
In China the numbers are greater than the JapaneseKE native words. Jap
This third category also contains a small number of words that have come from other Asian languages. Studies by the National Language Institute show that the frequency of these three types of words varies according to the kinds of written material examined.
Native Japanese words consist of more than half of the total words, while the Chinese borrowed words average less than half, and the rest drawn from the recently borrowed words from languages from the western side of the world.
In China the numbers are greater than the JapaneseKE native words. Jap
Kanji
Kanji (Family/House)
This writing on the left is the character for house/family in Kanji it is pronounced "ie" (ee-eh) by itself or "kazoku" to form the word for family.
The writing is based off of Chinese but the readings are totally different while the meanings are similar. Japanese people who understand Kanji can sort of understand Chinese but they cannot say the characters in Chinese.
Although the Chinese people can only read the Kanji in Japanese language, but they cannot read hiragana or katakana and therefore cannot read any Japanese text because Hiragana and Katakana are used for grammar and loan words.
The writing is based off of Chinese but the readings are totally different while the meanings are similar. Japanese people who understand Kanji can sort of understand Chinese but they cannot say the characters in Chinese.
Although the Chinese people can only read the Kanji in Japanese language, but they cannot read hiragana or katakana and therefore cannot read any Japanese text because Hiragana and Katakana are used for grammar and loan words.
Katakana
Ke "K-eh" One of many syllables in Katakana
The writing on the left is the syllable for Ge, it is pronounced "G-eh".
The writing of Katakana is based off of some of the small components in Kanji. Sometimes in Kanji you will see the Katakana images in the writing. Some of the Katakana are derived from hiragana like り and リ here both are pronounced ri "ree".
Katakana is used for loan words. Loan words are derived from other languages. For example basketball is バスケットボル, which is pronounced basuketto boru.
In addition to loan words katakana is used for stories with non-native speakers like in some literary works in Japanese a foreigner speaking Japanese might have quotes in katakana rather than in hiragana or kanji. Also, katakana is used for writing how non humans speak Japanese such as a robot.
The writing of Katakana is based off of some of the small components in Kanji. Sometimes in Kanji you will see the Katakana images in the writing. Some of the Katakana are derived from hiragana like り and リ here both are pronounced ri "ree".
Katakana is used for loan words. Loan words are derived from other languages. For example basketball is バスケットボル, which is pronounced basuketto boru.
In addition to loan words katakana is used for stories with non-native speakers like in some literary works in Japanese a foreigner speaking Japanese might have quotes in katakana rather than in hiragana or kanji. Also, katakana is used for writing how non humans speak Japanese such as a robot.
Hiragana
Ru "doo" LR sounding. One of many symbols in Hiragana
The writing on the left is the syllable for ru it is pronounced "doo" with an LR sounding.
The writing of Hiragana is based off of the traditional traditional writing of Ainu and Kanji. You will not see any symbols from Hiragana in the writing of Kanji. Hiragana is basically the "alphabet" in Japanese.
One symbol of Hiragana does not mean anything unless they are put with other hiragana. Some syllables are used for punctuation. It is used for words that originate from Japan.
Fun Fact: In ancient times the women were only allowed to use Hiragana and not Kanji or Katakana.
The writing of Hiragana is based off of the traditional traditional writing of Ainu and Kanji. You will not see any symbols from Hiragana in the writing of Kanji. Hiragana is basically the "alphabet" in Japanese.
One symbol of Hiragana does not mean anything unless they are put with other hiragana. Some syllables are used for punctuation. It is used for words that originate from Japan.
Fun Fact: In ancient times the women were only allowed to use Hiragana and not Kanji or Katakana.