While there is plenty of excitement about moving to Japan, you will eventually need to do your laundry. Now it may seem to be just another ordinary, often mundane, routine of everyday life in your home country, but do you know what all the buttons mean on a Japanese laundry machine? Suddenly, things got a lot more complicated.

Worry not! Most washing machines in Japan just need a push of a button or two, and like magic, your clothes spin through cycles until you need to take them out. But if you are still wondering about how to actually use a washer in Japan, keep on reading to discover what the different functions on the washing machine mean and how to use them!

Want to be more familiar with the Japanese writing systems? Read our blog breaking down Japanese writing systems: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji.

Different Types of Japanese Washing Machines

There are a variety of washing machines in Japan, but the most common type that people own at home is the top-loading machine. Front-loading (drum-type washing machines) are also common but are usually more expensive. Lastly, there are coin laundry machines, which are often very large drum-type washing machines. Below is a description of each:

1. 縦型洗濯機 (Tategatasentakuki): Top-Loading Washing Machine

The most common personal washing machine found in Japanese homes. They tend to be cheaper but use more water. The controls are the most straightforward and might have fewer features compared to other washing machines. 

Most machines do include a “spin-drying” cycle, which removes most of the excess water but does not completely dry the clothes, resulting in the clothes remaining damp after the cycle completes. 

Some machines do have a complete drying function, usually “tumble drying”, but if they don’t, you would need to hand the clothes to air dry. It’s common for most Japanese homes to hang clothes outside to dry.

2. ドラム式 (Doramu Shiki): Drum-type Washing Machines

These washing machines are considered more modern, advanced, and energy-efficient. They use less water than top-loading machines and can handle more delicate clothes. They also often have built-in dryer functions, called 全自動洗濯乾燥 (zenjidou sentaku kansou), which means washer-dryer functions. These types of washing machines also tend to be more expensive than top-loading models. 

Some models come with a separate dryer, but keep in mind, Japanese homes tend to be smaller, so having a separate washer and dryer might not be practical due to space concerns.

3. コインランドリー (Koin Randorii): Coin Laundry Machines

Coin laundries are common in urban areas and are usually conveniently located. You can often find one that is just a few hundred meters away from a hotel or your place of residence. They are usually significantly larger than home units and include separate washing and drying machines. People like to use them to wash large loads like futons or even small mattresses.

The specific features of coin laundry machines vary, but they often give customers options to wash with different temperatures and do delicate washes, and even options depending on what you are washing. Another convenient feature of coin laundries is that you don’t ever need to bring detergent. 

What do the Controls on Japanese Washing Machines Mean

Most washing machines have similar controls; some will have more features and therefore more buttons to select between the different options. But for now, let’s go over some of the most common controls and buttons that you will likely come across, based on the controls on the washing machine above.

Basic Buttons and Controls on Washing Machine in Japan

Starting with basic buttons, these include controls for turning on/off the washing machine, as well as starting/stopping a wash. These buttons are usually found on the very right.

Core Japanese Washing Machine Functions

These are the core Japanese washing machine functions; usually, each of these operations will be run automatically just by pressing スタート (sutaato) or the start button. But depending on your needs, for example, if your clothes still feel damp, you can press the 乾かす (kawakasu) button to just dry the clothes. The arrows at the very right allow you to customise things such as time or the amount of water. Here is a description of what each button does.

1. 洗 (Arai): Wash

The main washing/agitation cycle. The machine mixes water and detergent and scrubs the clothes. Use when you want to wash items normally or run a wash-only cycle.

2. すすぎ (Susugi): Rinse

This operation rinses detergent out of the clothes. Often repeats 1 – 3 times, depending on machine settings. Use if laundry still feels soapy or if you want to rinse hand-washed items.

3. 脱水 (Dassui): Spin or Spin Dry

This is a high-speed spin that removes water from clothes. Most washing machines, including top-loading models, have this function. Clothes come out damp but not dripping. You can use this option after hand-washing or if you need an extra spin to shorten drying time.

4. 乾かす (Kawakasu): Dry

This operation completely dries clothes, and clothes shouldn’t come out damp. The function uses warm or room-temperature air to dry clothes, depending on the model. It’s very useful if you don’t want to hang clothes outside and prefer to dry clothes more quickly.

Did you know drying clothes outside at certain times could be a bad omen in Japan? Find out about why by reading our blog: 20 Unique Japanese Superstitions Explained: Meaning & Origins

Additional Core Buttons on Japanese Washing Machines

These are the buttons found above the core operation buttons. They basically are shortcuts to do necessary operations, such as setting a timer for the wash to start, cleaning the drum (recommended once a month), and washing delicate clothes. 

Washing Modes on Japanese Washing Machines

The washing modes, usually called コース (Course) in Japanese, are controls for specific washing options. You can choose between the options by pressing the コース button. They usually include options such as quick, delicate, or standard washes. Here are the options found on the drum washing machine above:

1. 毛布 (Moufu): Blanket Mode

This setting is specifically designed for washing large, thick items and uses more water and gentler agitation so the blanket doesn’t get damaged or tangled. Some examples include:

• blankets
• comforters
• futon covers

2. 槽洗浄 (Sousenjou): Drum Cleaning

This function cleans the inside drum of the washing machine and usually takes a long time (1 – 3 hours). You can simply press the button alone to clean the machine, or you can also use specialised cleaning powder.

3. 時短 ( Jitan): Time-Saving / Quick Wash

A shorter, faster wash cycle, which is great when you’re in a rush, only have a small lightly used load, or staying in a hotel/Airbnb and need a quick wash.

4. 部屋干し (Heyaboshi): Indoor-Dry Mode

This mode is optimised for clothes that will be dried indoors rather than outside. It’s very useful in humid or rainy seasons, or in apartments without balconies. Below is what the function does:

• spins clothes more thoroughly
• reduces leftover moisture
• helps prevent musty smells

5. 標準 (Hyoujun): Standard / Normal Wash

When in doubt, choose 標準 (hyoujun), or the standard wash option; it’s the safest all-purpose mode that can safely wash most clothes. As the default washing cycle, it is ideal for most everyday laundry, ranging from t-shirts, sweatshirts, jeans, towels, socks, and general clothing overall.

6. おうち流 (Ouchi ryuu): “Home-Style” Wash

This mode mimics gentler, hand-wash-like agitation, similar to how you would wash clothes at home in a basin. It’s typically used for the following:

• delicate clothing
• knitwear
• items labelled “hand wash only”

Not all machines have this button; it’s also common for models such as 手洗い (tearai), which means hand wash or 柔らか (yawaraka), which means soft, for delicate clothes.

For other models, you might come across these button labels:

IIf you’re tired of relying on Google Translate for everyday tasks, it’s time to learn Japanese, even for practical, day-to-day life. Schools like Coto Academy focus on practical conversational Japanese, so everything you learn can be applied immediately.

They offer lessons on weekends and evenings, from part-time to intensive courses, giving you flexible options to learn Japanese according to your schedule and goals.

Washing, Dying, and Sanitization Functions

Found right next to the course selections, these functions are selected by pressing the 運転切替 (unten kirikae) button, which just means to “switch operations. These functions allow you to choose between different washing and drying cycles.

1. 除菌 (Jokkin): Sterilisation / Sanitisation

This function helps kill bacteria on clothing by using hot water, longer soaks, or special agitation, depending on the machine. It’s most useful for:

• baby clothes
• underwear
• towels
• sportswear
• Items that tend to develop odor

2. 消臭 (Shoushuu): Deodorisation

A cycle designed to remove smells from clothing, often using strong rinsing or airflow rather than a full wash. This cycle is most ideal for the following:

• smoky smells
• food odors
• sweat odors
• clothes that sat damp too long

3. 洗濯 (Sentaku): Wash

The most basic function, this option indicates a wash-only cycle without any drying. You can use this function if you plan to air-dry or if you don’t want to heat-dry delicate items.

4. 乾燥 (Kansou): Dry

This is a cycle for completely drying your clothes, usually via tumble drying. This setting is not always included in every washing machine, such as cheaper top-loading ones. It’s a common function for many front-loading models. This option is great for those who don’t want to hang clothes, especially during the rainy or humid seasons. 

Keep in mind that most machines can only handle drying small loads (usually around half the full capacity of loads for washing). This cycle usually takes 2 – 4 hours, depending on the machine.

5. 洗〜乾 (Sen ~ Kan): Washing to Drying Sequence

This is a full cycle from washing to drying (automatically). The symbol 〜 indicates the process is continuous. Generally, this sequence:

• Uses less energy
• Skips certain washing motions
• Great for lightly soiled items

Typical Washing Machine Routine in Japan

Using a washing machine is quite simple, with just a press of a couple of buttons, and the washing machine will automatically go through the full cycle. Outlined below are the basic steps to follow after loading in your clothes:

1. Turn on the Washing Machine

Usually, under the label 電源 (dengen), meaning power, you can press 入 (iri) to turn on the machine.

2. Add Detergent

Depending on the machine, there is a slot for you to pour in the detergent. Oftentimes, with top-loading models, you just pour in the detergent over the clothes.

3. (Can Usually Skip) Select Preferred Course

You can usually skip this step if you just want to do a standard wash. But if you need to do a more specific operation, you can press one of the top buttons, such as おしゃれ着 (osharegi) for delicates. 

You can also press コース (koosu), or the course button, to select between the different operations mentioned earlier. To choose either the deodorisation or sanitisation functions, you can press the 運転切替 (unten kiri kae) button.

4. Press スタート (Start)

Just push the start button to start the wash. If you don’t customise the operations, it will automatically do a standard full cycle from washing to spin drying, and if the model has it, tumble or complete drying.

5. Check the Dampness or Wetness of clothes

Most models include cycles up to spin drying, which should leave clothes a bit damp so you can just hang them out to dry. If they are dripping wet, you select 脱水 (dassui), spin dry, to remove all the excess water. 

If your washing machine is like the image above and includes 乾燥 (kawakasu), or drying cycle, you can completely dry your clothes without hanging them. Just know drying is only possible with smaller loads with most models. 

Conclusion: Washing Machines in Japan are Simple & Easy-to-use

Washing machines in Japan can seem overwhelming at first, but all you have to do for a standard wash is turn it on, add detergent, and press start. That’s it! Pretty simple, right? And even doing more complicated washes just requires remembering a little more Japanese. 

It would be helpful, however, to read the instruction manual as well, since it could discuss how to best use it, what could go wrong, or how to make the product last longer. So to gain confidence in reading and speaking Japanese, we highly recommend taking classes with a professional Japanese teacher who can adjust to your specific goals and needs.

Here at Coto Academy, we offer practical lessons tailored specifically for the Japanese you will encounter in the real world. We provide both full-time intensive and more flexible part-time courses, and our teachers work closely with you to help you reach your unique Japanese learning goals! Sign up today by filling out the form below:

FAQ

You might be interested in our other How-to Guides in Japan:

• How to Use Japan’s Ramen Vending Machines
• Where to Buy Thanksgiving Turkey in Japan: 2025 Guide
• Ultimate Guide to Buying a Car in Japan: New or Used
• How to Buy a Commuter Pass in Japan: Step-by-Step Guide (2025)
• Guide to Your Japanese Rice Cookers
• Guide to Your Japanese Food Labels

While China and Japan may be relatively close geographically and both shape today’s cultural, economic, business, and pop culture landscapes, the Chinese and Japanese languages have clear distinctions.

The Chinese language is estimated to be spoken by more than one-fifth of the world’s population. Japanese, on the other hand, is primarily spoken in Japan. And due to the massive influence and reach of both China and Japan, many language learners often struggle with the dilemma of choosing whether to learn Chinese or Japanese, and the fundamentals of what makes each language so special and unique from the other. 

In this article, we will help distinguish between the Chinese and the Japanese languages so that you can adopt a greater appreciation and understanding of each one, and determine which language is more aligned with your language learning wants and needs! 

History of the Chinese and Japanese Languages

Chinese Language

The Chinese and Japanese languages have ancient roots, tracing back thousands of years for both written and oral communication.  The modern Chinese language originated from the Proto-Sino-Tibetan language family, which emerged in the Yellow River region of northern China approximately 6,000 years ago. The historical timeline of the Chinese language can be divided into 4 distinctive eras: 

1. Ancient Chinese: 18th century BC – 3rd century AD
2. Middle Chinese: 4th century AD – 12th century AD
3. Early Modern Chinese:13th – 20th century
4. Modern Chinese: 20th century to present day

Each of these evolutionary eras marks a distinct shift in both the spoken and written Chinese language. 

For instance, Ancient Chinese featured many monosyllabic consonants (a word with only one syllable, ex. “hi” or “see”) and lack of inflections (changing a word’s form to align with a certain tense, ex. “chased” or “jumped”), marking the early emergence of a language without the later fine-tuning and specifics quite yet. 

Middle Chinese marked the early development of tonal variation, including level (píng) — a stable pitch, rising (shǎng) — a pitch that rises during the syllable, and departing (qù) — a falling pitch. During this period, the distinction between aspirated and unaspirated sounds also emerged. Aspirated sounds required a stronger burst of air upon pronunciation, whereas unaspirated sounds involved much less airflow.

Early Modern Chinese set the groundwork for the Chinese that we recognize today, including more disyllabic words (a word with more than one syllable, like  “sunshine” or “rainbow”), as well as the gradual shift towards Mandarin. 

Modern Chinese marks a significant change as the Mandarin dialect, which emerged in Beijing, becomes the official language across China and is widely spoken by the vast majority of the Chinese population. 

Japanese Language

The Japanese language is a member of the Japonic family, which comprises all of the languages spoken on the Japanese islands. The origins of the Japanese language date back approximately 2,000 years, coinciding with the Yayoi peoples’ arrival on the Japanese islands. The Japanese language can be sectioned off into three evolutionary categories:

1. Old Japanese: 710-794 
2. Early Middle Japanese: 800-1200
3. Late Middle Japanese: 1200-1600
4. Modern Japanese: 1600 to present day 

The Japanese language developed across each of these distinctive eras. Old Japanese utilized Man’yogana, which was an ancient Japanese writing system that focused on sounds derived from Chinese characters to convey meaning instead of a literal translation, as well as the introduction of a basic syllable before it later advanced. 

Early Middle Japanese saw the beginning stages of hiragana (native Japanese words) and katakana (loan words from foreign languages) in the written Japanese language, as well as an increased volume of words borrowed from Chinese characters to implement their meaning into the Japanese language, known as kanji. 

Late Middle Japanese saw the erasure of many nominal inflections (modifying a noun to adjust to a new element such as number or possession, like “horses” or “the horse’s hay”), which were previously used, as well as the introduction of loan words (katakana) from English. 

An important aspect of Modern Japanese as we know it today is the introduction of keigo, which is an honorific language that modifies words and titles depending on who the speaker is talking to and the degree to which they are showing respect or familiarity. The modern era also saw increased romaji, or romanized spelling of Japanese words (like “arigato gozaimasu” or “sumimasen”). If you are interested in tips and tricks to learn for newcomers to the Japanese language, take a look at our article detailing how to learn Japanese from scratch. 

Chinese vs Japanese Writing Systems 

The Chinese and Japanese writing systems are quite different from one another in many ways. 

Chinese Writing System

First and foremost, Chinese utilizes two writing systems called hanzi, which encompasses all Chinese characters, both traditional and simplified, and pinyin, which uses the Latin alphabet to convey Chinese sounds. There is also zhuyin, which is predominantly used in Taiwan to transcribe sounds from Mandarin. 

Japanese Writing System

Japanese, on the other hand, has three writing systems. It utilizes hiragana, which includes all native Japanese words; katakana, which is used for foreign loan words; and kanji, which is composed of logographic Chinese symbols. For an in-depth look into the Japanese writing systems, check out our article diving into hiragana, katakana, and kanji. 

While Japanese may borrow certain logographic symbols from Chinese, the pronunciation can be entirely different. For example, the logograph 水 (shuǐ) means water in Chinese, and the Japanese Kanji for water 水 (mizu) are identical in terms of character and meaning, but are pronounced differently. 

Chinese also has simplified and traditional characters, unlike Japanese. Simplified characters are easier to write and involve fewer intricate details, while traditional characters are more akin to historical accuracy but involve far more complex designs. Simplified characters are often utilized in mainland China and Taiwan, while traditional characters are more common in the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau. Japanese also has its own writing system composed of simplified Kanji, called shinjitai. 

Want to start learning Japanese? We recommend joining conversation-focused beginner lessons at Coto Academy, available on a part-time or full-time basis. You’ll build a solid foundation in hiragana, katakana, and essential grammar, while gaining confidence to speak Japanese from day one.

Pronunciation and Phonetics

Chinese and Japanese pronunciation differ quite a bit from one another. Before we discuss the differences between the two, it is helpful to understand the key differences between pitch and tone as they relate to language. Pitch is what conveys the emotion or emphasis on a word, while tone utilizes pitch to create an entirely different meaning of a word.

Chinese Language

Chinese is a tonal language, with four distinct tones that can change the meaning of a word entirely. In the Modern Chinese language, the four tones are: 

1. 1st tone: level pitch (ex. wēn) where you maintain a high and steady pitch
2. 2nd tone: rising pitch (ex. wén) where you begin with a middle pitch and increase to a higher pitch
3. 3rd tone: falling-rising (ex. wěn), whee you begin with a middle pitch and then lower it, then proceed to raise your pitch again 
4. 4th tone: falling (ex. wèn), where you start off high-pitched and then sharply drop your tone 

Depending on the tone used, the meaning of the word above changes significantly, so mastering tones is a key element of learning the Chinese language! 

There is also a “neutral tone” in Chinese, although it is not considered its own tone; rather, it is considered an unaccented and unstressed syllable and lends its pitch to whichever tone appeared before it, as the neutral tone cannot exist alone. 

Japanese Language

Japanese is far less reliant on tonal variations to convey meaning. However, the importance of pitch is still prevalent in the Japanese language, with high and low pitches distinguishing words that are otherwise pronounced the same. 

Before we discuss the different pitches and how to make them, we must first understand what a mora is. 

Mora is the unit of sound that the Japanese language follows, similar to a syllable in English. However, moras are unique since they are given equal length, whereas syllables can be given unequal length in terms of time. An example of this is バス (basu) versus bus, with ba-su being two moras and the English spelling of bus only having one syllable. With this information taken into account, the four pitch patterns in Japanese are as follows:

1. Heiban (平板). Unaccented and flat (most Japanese words fall under this category) 
2. Atamadaka (頭高). The first mora begins high, and then the second mora drops to a low pitch
3. Nakadaka (​​中高). The first mora is low-pitched before transitioning to a higher pitch in the middle, and then falling back to a low mora 
4. Odaka (尾高). The first unit is flat and then rises to a high pitch for the duration of the word

For example, “ame” can mean either rain (雨) or candy (飴) depending on the pitch, with rain being a higher-pitched and candy being lower-pitched. 

If you are interested in learning more about the intricacies of the Japanese language and what makes it challenging to learn, feel free to read our other article detailing why Japanese is a challenging language to learn. Context clues can help Japanese learners differentiate between meanings and are more beginner-friendly since a Japanese speaker can likely still understand what is trying to be said, whereas Chinese is more difficult as improper tonal variation makes it far more difficult to discern the intended meaning. 

Grammar Sentence and Structure 

Chinese sentence structure uses subject-verb-object (SVO) order, while Japanese structure consists of subject-object-verb (SOV) order. 

An example showcasing this differentiation is the sentence “I listen to music” in Chinese and Japanese. 

In Japanese, it is “私は音楽を聴きます” (Watashi wa ongaku o kikimasu), or “I music listen to” if translated literally into English. 

The same sentence in Chinese would be “我听音乐” (Wǒ tīng yīnyuè), or “I listen to music”, which sounds more familiar to speakers of SVO languages, including English.

Japanese grammar also differs quite a bit from Chinese grammar when it comes to affixes, which are additions to the beginning or end of a root word to alter its meaning and purpose. This is represented by the usage of honorifics such as -chan (ちゃん), -san (さん), -sama (様), and -kun (君), which are added onto the end of a person’s name to convey varying levels of relation and formality. While Chinese also utilizes honorifics, it is far less integral grammar-wise to the overall structure and tone of a sentence than is the case in Japanese.   

Verbs in Chinese vs Japanese Language

The ways in which verbs are used and modified in Chinese vs. Japanese writing marks another area in which the two languages contrast with each other. 

In Chinese, verbs do not inflect and remain the same regardless of the tense or number; instead, the usage of particles such as 了(le) for completed actions and 在 (zài) for actions which are still being undergone indicates tense. An example of this is “I swam” or “ 我游泳了” (Wǒ yóu yǒng le), as well as “I am swimming” or “我在游泳” (Wǒ zài yóu yǒng). On the other hand, Japanese verbs can be altered depending on aspects such as tense, negation, and politeness level. For example, some forms of “to eat” include: 

As you can see, there are many different ways in which verbs can be conjugated in Japanese! Saying “to eat” in Chinese, on the other hand, would simply be 吃 (chī), regardless of any and all factors which may influence Japanese conjugation. 

Vocabulary and Share Words: Japanese vs. Chinese Characters  

Many Japanese characters are borrowed from Chinese logograms (kanji), intrinsically linking certain parts of Japanese vocabulary with those of Chinese.  

Surprisingly, Japanese features far more foreign loan words (katakana) than Chinese, with Chinese placing more emphasis on translating the meaning of the word rather than the sounds produced. As a result, certain Kanji can be recognized by Chinese speakers, and borrowed words such as テレビ (terebi), カメラ (kamera), and ホテル (hoteru) can be understood by English speakers, giving Japanese vocabulary much more foreign influence than Chinese vocabulary. 

In the case of Kanji, however, pronunciation may differ from its Chinese origins. A few of these “false friends” include:

Similarities Between Chinese and Japanese Languages 

While both Chinese and Japanese may have many differences from one another, there are also a few noteworthy similarities that the two languages share. As discussed previously, a sizable portion of Japanese words are derived from Chinese logograms, oftentimes with shared meanings even if the pronunciation differs. Examples of this include: 

Another similarity between Japanese and Chinese languages is the name order placement, with the family name coming before the first name in both introductions and in writing. 

Additionally, the use of measure words is a commonality shared between Chinese and Japanese, which is a concept that classifies the specific objects or things that are being counted. For example, when counting people, instead of using the generic numberings of ichi (1), ni (2), san (3) in Japanese or yī (1), èr (2), sān (3) in Chinese, there is a specific counting system that the category of “people” falls under. Hitori, futari, sannin, and so on, and yī rén, liǎng ge rén, sān ge rén, and so on are the counting systems that would be used to count people in Japanese and Chinese, respectively. 

So, Which is Easier? Chinese or Japanese Language?

Now that we have done a deep dive into Chinese and Japanese languages, it boils down to the question: which one is easier?

Both the Chinese and Japanese languages have their fair share of language-specific and common difficulties, so learning each will be a rewarding challenge for those who are willing to tackle it head-on. However, taking into account all the factors we have discussed in this article and our comparisons of the two languages, the question of “which language is more difficult?” ultimately boils down to two categories: speaking and writing. 

In relation to speaking, Chinese is more difficult than Japanese due to the complex tones, which require hard work and discipline to be able to master and discern during spoken conversation. 

Japanese, on the other hand, is not reliant on tone and is easier to speak and understand, with more leeway in terms of context clues and less need for a trained ear. On the other hand, in terms of writing, Japanese is more challenging than Chinese due to the three writing systems (hiragana, katakana, kanji) and more complex grammar and sentence structure. Being already familiar with Chinese will give you a helpful upper hand! Check out our article detailing the unique relationship between understanding Chinese and learning Japanese.

Which Language Should You Learn?

Both Chinese and Japanese are challenging yet rewarding languages to learn, and both will offer you great satisfaction. So, which one should you study? If you are planning on living, studying, or working in either China or Japan, then you should learn the native language of the respective country. 

Chinese language is a great choice if you plan on going into business, economics, or international relations due to its global dominance and power. Japanese, on the other hand, is an amazing choice due to its worldwide influence in the entertainment, media, technology, and pop culture spheres. Or if you simply want to learn a language for fun, then both are great options!

Conclusion

Both Chinese and Japanese are becoming increasingly popular languages to learn, and Japan is quickly emerging as a top destination for people looking to build their careers.

The good news? If you’re a native Chinese speaker, learning Japanese can be easier than you think! That’s where Coto Academy’s Intensive Japanese Lessons come in.

Our programs are designed to support learners at every level, from complete beginners to advanced speakers. With experienced teachers, immersive lessons, and a clear, step-by-step approach, you’ll strengthen your grammar, expand your vocabulary, and gain confidence using Japanese in real-life situations. Chinese learners can also take full advantage of their kanji knowledge while focusing on areas that need extra attention.

And for English speakers deciding between learning Japanese or Chinese, why not start your journey with Coto Academy? If you choose to learn Japanese, join our well-balanced lessons that focus on every aspect of the language: grammar, kanji, vocabulary, reading, and listening — all while getting plenty of conversation practice.

Why join Coto Academy?

• Small classrooms with only up to 8 students for personalized support
• Professional native Japanese teachers, all trained to help you succeed
• Over 60 different Japanese classes across 18 levels, tailored to your needs
• School locations in Shibuya, Minato, Iidabashi, and Yokohama, plus a fully online Japanese language school, so that you can learn anywhere, anytime!

FAQ

Apples and oranges. Walking and running. Swiftly and slowly. In English, connecting ideas is usually as simple as inserting the word “and” between two items. But in Japanese, expressing “and” is a bit more nuanced. 

In fact, the language offers multiple ways to connect words, phrases, and even full sentences. This depends on what you’re linking: nouns, verbs, adjectives, or entire clauses. For instance, the casual と (to) is one of the most straightforward ways to say “and,” but it can only be used to link nouns. 

This guide is your roadmap to mastering all the different ways to say “and” in Japanese. By the end, you’ll not only know which “and” to use in each situation but also understand why native speakers make those choices. So, get ready to move beyond the simple と (to) and explore the variety of connectors.

1. と (To)

Structure: Noun 1 + と + Noun 2

The simplest way to connect two nouns in Japanese is with と (to). It functions like the English conjunction “and.” r. However, と (to) cannot connect adjectives, verbs, clauses, or sentences. It is strictly for nouns.

When you link two nouns with と (to), you’re essentially pairing them together. If you want to express a contrast, you will need to use a different word in Japanese, such as でも or しかし.

シャツとズボン。
Shatsu to zubon.
Shirt and pants. 

You can extend this pattern to include more nouns:

シャツとズボンと靴。
Shatsu to zubon to kutsu.
Shirt and pants, and shoes.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that と (to) is generally used to link a fixed, closed list of items. It highlights each item individually, rather than suggesting an open-ended or indefinite series — as in, it is just those items, and nothing else. There’s no implication of additional, unmentioned items.

For example, if you are going to a trial gym, they might say: 

タオルと水と運動靴を持ってきてください。
Taoru to mizu o mottekite kudasai.

Please bring a towel and water.

2. や (Ya)

Structure: Noun 1 + や + Noun 2

While と (to) is used for a closed, fixed list of items, sometimes you want to imply that there are more items beyond the ones you mention. In this case, you use や (ya). Like と (to), や (ya) is used only to connect nouns and cannot be used with adjectives, verbs, or clauses.

You insert や (ya) between nouns to list them, and using it suggests that the list is not exhaustive. For example:

In this sentence, you’re saying that you like cakes and pudding, but there are likely other desserts you enjoy as well. Because や (ya) implies that there are additional items not mentioned, it is often paired with など (nado), which functions like “etc.” in English and typically comes after the last noun in the list. For example:

ケーキやプリンやクッキーなどが好きです。
Keeki ya purin ya kukkii nado ga suki desu.
I like cakes, pudding, cookies, etc.

This construction makes it clear that the list is non-exhaustive. Using the same trial gym scenario:

タオルや水や運動靴などを持ってきてください。
Taoru ya mizu ya undougutsu nado o mottekite kudasai.
Please bring a towel, water, sneakers, etc.

Using や (ya) … など (nado) indicates that these are just examples, and you could bring additional items as well—perhaps similar items like a gym shirt or grip socks.

In short, use や (ya) when you want to connect multiple nouns while signaling that there are more items beyond what you’ve listed, unlike と (to), which links a specific, closed set of nouns.

3. も (Mo)

Structure: Noun 1 + も + Noun 2

Technically, the Japanese particle も (mo) usually means “also” or “too,” but it can also be used to link nouns together in a way that expresses “and” in Japanese. The key difference between も (mo) and と (to) or や (ya) is that も (mo) carries the nuance of “and also” or “both,” rather than just listing items. In other words, も (mo) is used when you are adding another item to a statement, emphasizing that each item shares the same quality or feeling.

For example:

ケーキもプリンも好きです。
Keeki mo purin mo suki desu.
I like both cakes and pudding.

Here, も (mo) highlights that you like both items, not just one of them. It’s a great way to express that multiple things share the same characteristic or sentiment, giving a sense of inclusion rather than simply enumerating items.

4. Verb ～て

Structure: Verb 1 (て-form) + Verb 2

So far, we’ve discussed the different ways to say “and” in Japanese for nouns, but what if you want to connect verbs? The easiest and most common method is using the verb て-form. When combining two or more verbs, you convert all verbs except the last one into the -て (-te) form.

For example:

家に帰ったら、シャワーを浴びて、晩ご飯を食べたいです。
Ie ni kaettara, shawaa o abite, bangohan o tabetai desu.
After I go home, I want to shower and eat dinner.

Here, the first action, “showering,” is converted into the -て form (浴びて), which links it to the next action, “eating dinner” (食べたい). 

An important thing to remember is that linking verbs with the -て form indicate a sequence of events that follow a specific order. In casual situations, switching the order might not seem like a big deal, but if you are giving precise instructions, the order of actions becomes crucial. You need to list the first step or action first, followed by the next in the correct sequence.

For example, imagine giving instructions for a simple morning routine:

手を洗って、顔を洗って、それから朝ご飯を食べてください。
Te o aratte, kao o aratte, sore kara asagohan o tabete kudasai.
First, wash your hands, then wash your face, and finally eat breakfast.

Here, the order matters: washing your face comes after washing your hands, and eating breakfast comes last. 

Additionally, conjugating a Japanese verb from its dictionary form to the -て form is not one-size-fits-all. In Japanese, verbs are categorized into three main groups, and each group has its own rules for forming the -て form.

By learning the -て form (-te form), you can connect actions naturally in Japanese, like saying “I showered and ate dinner” or “I studied and went shopping.” Ready to put this into practice? At Coto Academy, you’ll get hands-on experience using verbs, particles, and connectors in real-life situations. Sign up for a class and start speaking confidently — whether in Tokyo, Yokohama, or online from the comfort of your home!

If you want a more detailed guide on how to conjugate a Japanese verb from its dictionary form into the -て form, check out our full article: Conjugating Verb-て Form in Japanese.

5. ～たり～たり (~ Tari ~Tari)

Structure: Verb (past tense) た-form + り + Verb (past tense) た-form + り + する

When you use the -て form to connect verbs in Japanese, it implies that the actions happen in a specific order or sequence. However, if you want to link verbs with “and” without indicating any particular order, you’ll use the grammar pattern ～たり～たり (tari tari).

In short, ～たり～たり (tari tari) is used to list multiple actions or states in a random, non-sequential way, when you just want to give examples of things you did, without focusing on what came first. Let’s take a look at an example below!

週末は映画を見たり、本を読んだり、散歩したりします。
Shuumatsu wa eiga o mitari, hon o yondari, sanpo shitari shimasu.
I spend my weekends watching movies, reading books, and taking walks (among other things).

The order in which these activities happen is left vague due to the use of たり (tari). It could mean this person watched a movie first, then read a book, or maybe went for a walk first.

If this sentence were written using the -て form, it would imply a stricter order of events.

Because of this flexibility, たりたり (tari tari) is an excellent structure for listing multiple examples of actions or experiences.

This grammar pattern is created by conjugating verbs into their た-form (ta-form) and then attaching り (ri). Just like with the te-form, verbs are divided into three groups (Godan, Ichidan, and Irregular), and their ta-form conjugation follows specific rules. You finish the sentence by appending the last Verb-たり with する (suru) or します (shimasu).

Example pattern:

• 食べます → 食べた → 食べたり (tabemasu → tabeta → tabetari)
• 行きます → 行った → 行ったり (ikimasu → itta → ittari)

You can also use たりたり (tari tari) in the past tense by changing the final verb (usually する) into しました (shimashita). Because the たりたり structure focuses on examples rather than order, it’s also very common to use it when talking about what you did over the weekend, on vacation, or during a specific event.

日曜日は買い物をしたり、料理をしたりしました。
Nichiyoubi wa kaimono o shitari, ryouri o shitari shimashita.
On Sunday, I did things like shopping and cooking.

6. ~くて and で (~Kute and ~De)

In Japanese, connecting multiple adjectives isn’t as straightforward as simply saying “beautiful and smart” in English. To link adjectives with “and,” Japanese uses different endings depending on the type of adjective. 

Adjectives in Japanese are classified into two types: i-adjectives and na-adjectives. I-adjectives generally end in い (i). Na-adjectives do not usually do not end in い (i), although some words are exceptions, like 綺麗 (kirei). 

I-Adjectives

I-adjectives generally end in い (i). To connect an i-adjective with another adjective, replace the final い (i) with くて (-kute).

For example, the Japanese adjective 素晴らしい (subarashii), which means “amazing,” would become 素晴らしくて (subarashiikute). 

この映画はおもしろくて、すばらしいです。

Kono eiga wa subarashiikute omoshiroi desu.
This movie is amazing and interesting.

Na adjective

For adjectives that end in -だ (-da) or -な (-na), linking them with “and” is relatively straightforward. You simply attach で (-de) to the end of the adjective. We recommend first checking out our guide on i-adjectives and na-adjectives, as some na-adjectives end with い (i) as an exception

For example, the word pretty in Japanese, 綺麗 (kirei), ends in i, but is boxed as a な-adjective, so it becomes 綺麗で when you link it with another word. 

この部屋は静かできれいです。
Kono heya wa shizuka de kirei desu.
This room is quiet and clean.

For adjectives that end in -だ (-da) or -な (-na), linking them with “and” is relatively straightforward. You simply attach で (-de) to the end of the adjective.

We recommend first checking out our guide on i-adjectives and na-adjectives, as some na-adjectives end with い (i) as exceptions.
この部屋は広くて静かできれいです。
Kono heya wa hirokute shizuka de kirei desu.
This room is spacious, quiet, and clean.

Here, 広い (hiroi) is an i-adjective, so it becomes 広くて (hirokute), and 静か (shizuka) is a na-adjective, so it becomes 静かで (shizuka de). 

7. し

The particle し (shi) is another way to express “and” in Japanese, but it carries a slightly different nuance than the others we’ve covered. Rather than simply linking two ideas, し (shi) adds an emphatic or explanatory tone. It’s often used when you want to list multiple reasons, qualities, or examples, with the feeling of “and what’s more” or “not only… but also…”.

Think of it as a way to build up information or justify a statement.

天気もいいし、公園に行こう！
Tenki mo ii shi, kouen ni ikou!
The weather’s nice, so let’s go to the park!

Here, し (shi) connects the good weather to the speaker’s decision. It implies that the nice weather is one of several reasons (maybe they also have free time or just feel like going out), even if those reasons aren’t said out loud.

You can also use し (shi) to talk about someone or something that has several positive (or even negative) traits.

日本は食べ物もおいしいし、人もやさしいです。
Nihon wa tabemono mo oishii shi, hito mo yasashii desu.
Japan has delicious food, and the people are kind too.

Compared to simply using the -て form (like おいしくて、やさしい), し (shi) adds more emotion. It feels like you’re emphasizing how great Japan is for many reasons, not just listing facts.

Of course, し (shi) has additional uses beyond simply connecting words with “and.” One important function is to indicate a reason or cause. When combined with んだ (nda), it can add a sense of explanation, often used when giving advice or justifying something.

For example, you might want to explain why you can’t go out:

疲れてるし、今日は早く帰ろうと思うんだ。
Tsukareteru shi, kyou wa hayaku kaerou to omou nda.
I’m tired, so I’m thinking of going home early today.

In situations where the reason is unfavorable or inconvenient, it’s also common to add で (de) for emphasis, stressing the negative aspect of the situation.

Another nuance of し is its use in casual conversation to trail off a sentence. You can end a sentence with し without finishing it, leaving the rest implied. This is especially useful if you want to decline politely or hint at other reasons without stating them directly.

For example, if someone asks you on a date but you don’t want to go, you might say:

明日も仕事があるし…
Ashita mo shigoto ga aru shi…
I also have work tomorrow, and…

Here, the trailing し implies there are other reasons as well, but you don’t have to say them. It’s a subtle, natural way to soften your response and avoid being too direct, which is considered more polite in Japanese culture.

Other Ways to Say “And” in Japanese

Besides particles like と (to), や (ya), and structures like ～て, Japanese also uses sentence connectors to link ideas, sentences, or actions smoothly. These connectors don’t always translate directly as “and,” but the nuance they carry often makes them the natural choice in context.

One of the most common is そして (soshite). Literally, it means “and then” or simply “and,” and it’s used to connect sentences or clauses rather than individual words. It often signals a sequence of events or adds additional information.

For example:

私は朝ご飯を食べました。そして、学校に行きました。
Watashi wa asagohan o tabemashita. Soshite, gakkou ni ikimashita.
I ate breakfast. And then, I went to school.

Other connectors like その上 (sono ue), それに (soreni), and さらに (sarani) are often used to add information, carrying meanings similar to “and also” or “on top of that.” These are useful when you want to emphasize extra points or reasons:

Example:

このレストランは料理がおいしいです。その上、店員さんも親切です。
Kono resutoran wa ryouri ga oishii desu. Sono ue, ten’in-san mo shinsetsu desu.
This restaurant’s food is delicious. On top of that, the staff is kind.

And That’s a Wrap!

By using these particles and sentence-level connectors, you can create smooth, natural Japanese sentences that link ideas clearly and even add emphasis when needed.

Of course, learning Japanese is more than just knowing how to say “and.” As we explored above, it’s important to conjugate verbs correctly, expand your vocabulary, and master other grammar points to communicate naturally.

Why not take your learning further at Coto Academy? Join Japanese lessons in Tokyo, Yokohama, or online. Here, the focus is on practical, conversational Japanese, helping you use what you learn in real-life situations from day one.

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• Over  60+ different Japanese classes over 18 levels
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• Professional, native Japanese teachers
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Just started learning Japanese? You might be interested in checking out:

• Japanese Writing System: Katakana, Hiragana, and Kanji
• Basic Japanese Words to Know
• 10 Basic Japanese Phrases You Need to Know

You’ve probably seen them before — tiny block symbols with Japanese characters that sneak into your Android or iPhone emoji keyboard. They look official, almost cryptic. These aren’t random at all. They’re part of the Japanese Kanji emoji series. But why do these even exist to begin with?

Well, here’s something interesting: the word emoji itself actually comes from Japanese — e (絵) meaning “picture” and moji (文字) meaning “character. For this reason, there is a heavy Japanese influence deciding over what emojis would have been created. Kanji is a big part of the Japanese Language, and this pictographic language was created more or less for the purpose that emojis serve today. Thus, there are some useful kanji characters that were directly transferred into the emoji language.

If you’ve ever been curious about the meanings behind these Japanese Kanji emojis, you’re in the right place. Here’s a closer look at some of the most commonly used examples.

The Japanese Origins of Emoji

In kanji, emoji is written as 絵文字(emoji), which literally can be translated to “drawn language characters”. Breaking down each character: 絵 (e) means art or drawing, 文 (mo or bun) means language or sentence, and 字 (ji) means character. So, the definition of emoji perfectly fits what they are: a set of pictograms that can represent certain emotions, or even words. Now they have become one of the most common ways to communicate online around the world. 

The first set of 90 emojis was first released in 1997 by Softbank. However, there is actually a rather complicated evolution of emojis that were created and released with different models of communication devices at that time, most of which didn’t use standard operating systems. People often cite Shigetaka Kurita as being particularly influential in creating the emojis we use today. 

The Influence of Kanji and Japanese Culture on Emojis

Kurita’s emojis, along with others, made the designs based on manga, which had recognizable facial expressions using very simple, easy-to-replicate images. Additionally, emojis we know today were partly inspired by kanji, which attempt to capture certain ideas using simplified symbols of certain objects, places, or even emotions. 

It might be hard to imagine now, but if you look at the origin of kanji, it might reveal how many of them derive from pictographs. That’s why most kanji characters already have a meaning associated with them, unlike letters (like the English alphabet), which don’t have meaning on their own.

Even to this day, the influence of Japan and Japanese culture can be seen in the emojis you use on your iPhone, Android, and communication apps. You can find Japanese snacks like dango 🍡 and even emojis for kanji. For example, this emoji, 🔰, is a Japanese image for beginners, but it can be found on most emoji keyboards and emoji sets outside of Japan. 

If you want to know more about Japanese writing systems, check out our blog on Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji.

15 Most Common Kanji Emojis

Now, let’s get into our list of kanji emojis you may (or may not) have seen and discover exactly what each one means.

1. 🈶️ 有 (ある): To Have

This emoji is just the kanji for ある (aru), which means “to have.” Usually, the emoji drops the “る” (ru) from 有る, so it’s only left with the kanji character, 有 (yuu). You can use the emoji to simply say you have something. This emoji can also mean “charge applies” or “not free” since it’s also a part of the word 有料 (yuuryou) meaning “there is a fee.” 

Examples:

🈶Wi-Fi 

Wi-Fi available

🈶駐車場 (chuushajou)

Parking available

2. 🈚️ 無 (ない): To Not Have

This kanji emoji is the opposite of 🈶. It means “not have”, “not exist”, or “(something) not available”. It comes from the kanji for 無し(nashi) or 無い (nai). You can also use it to mean something is free, which comes from the word 無料 (muryou).

Examples:

🈚 Wi-Fi  

No Wi-Fi

3. 🈸️ 申 (もうしこむ): Application, To Apply For

The character 申 (shin) means application or request, but in conversation and writing (not as an emoji), the character is usually expressed as 申しこうむ (moushi koumu). This character is used to say when you apply for something like a job or send a request. 

Examples:

🈸 受付 (uketsuke)

Applications accepted

🈸 フォーム

Application form

If you are looking to apply for jobs in Japan, learn how to write a Japanese resume (rirekisho).

4. 🈺️ 営 (えいぎょう): In-service or Open

Coming from the word, 営業 (eigyou), this kanji emoji means “open for business”  and is usually preceded by business hours. In Japan, you often find the phrase 営業中, which means “open for business”, on signs of entrances. The emoji 🈺️is just the equivalent of that, often found on business social media pages or posts. The 🈺 Unicode 6.0 in 2010.

Examples:

🈺 時間：9:00 – 18:00

Business hours: 9:00 – 18:00

5. 🈷️ 月 (つき): Moon or Month

Derived from the kanji for “moon” or “month,” this emoji is often associated with monthly fees or cycles. You might find this emoji used to indicate an event occurring monthly. This emoji is also commonly used on subscription ads or billing notifications, symbolizing something billed monthly.

Examples:

🈷️ 会費 (kaihi) 

Monthly membership fee

🈷️ 払い (tsukibarai) 

Monthly payment

6. 🉑️ 可 (か): Permitted or Doable

This emoji represents permission or approval. It’s based on 可, meaning “possible” or “permitted.” It can be used to say “yes” to a proposal, signify acceptance, or to emphasize motivation — literally that anything is possible!

Examples:

🉑️ ペット (petto)

Pets allowed

🉑️ 使用 (shiyou) 

Use permitted

7. 🉐️ 得 (とく): Offers, Merit, or Discount

Coming from the kanji 得 (toku), meaning “benefit” or “advantage.” It’s commonly used in the context of getting a good deal or getting a personal gain out of something, both literally and figuratively. You will often find this emoji in sales or promotional materials to show a special deal.

Examples:

🉐️ セール (seeru)

Bargain sale

🉐️ 情報 (tokujouhou) 

Special offer information

8. ㊙️ 秘 (ひみつ ):  Secret

Have you ever noticed the little Japanese character “秘” in texts or stickers and wondered what it meant? It stands for “secret” or “confidential.”

In everyday Japanese, you might see it as part of マル秘 (maruhi), which literally means “top secret” or “classified.” It’s often used in documents, signs, or even playful contexts to indicate something hidden or private.

Interestingly, マル秘 made its way into the digital world quite early. It was officially approved as part of Unicode 1.1 back in 1993. Later, in 2015, it joined the ranks of emojis in Emoji 1.0.

9. ㊗️ 祝 (いわう): To Celebrate 

This emoji expresses congratulations, coming from the word 祝う (iwau), meaning “to celebrate.” You usually use this emoji to express celebration for events such as birthdays, marriages, or achievements.

Examples:

㊗️ 新年 (shinnen) 

Happy New Year

㊗️ 結婚 (kekkon) 

Congratulations on marriage 

10. 🈴️ 合 (ごうかく): To Pass a Standard 

The 🈴 合 emoji, also known as the Japanese “passing grade” button or simply the “pass emoji,” features the kanji 合 in white on a red rectangular background. You’ll often see it on exam-related posts, symbolizing good results or success.

It was originally from Japanese mobile phones, but over time, it has become available on smartphones, computers, and social media platforms worldwide. It was officially added to Unicode 6.0 in 2010.

Examples:

🈴️ 試験 (shiken) 

Passed the exam

🈴️ 通知 (tsuuchi) 

Notice of passing

11. 🈹️ 割 (わり): Price Cut

This emoji is from 割引 (waribiki), meaning “discount.” It’s most often used to promote sales and price reductions or just to communicate that something is on sale. You’ll find this on store flyers, e-commerce banners, and digital coupons. This character is part of the CJK (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) ideographs.

The 割 mark emoji was approved in Unicode 6.0 in 2010 and later added to Emoji 1.0 in 2015

Examples:

🈹️ セール 

Price cut sale

🈹️ 引き 

Discounted price

12. 🈲️ 禁 (きんし): Prohibited

This is just the emoji for 禁止 (kinshi), meaning “prohibited” or “forbidden.” This emoji is used to indicate that something is not allowed or restricted. In Japan, you’ll often find 禁止 signs everywhere from trains to temples, and 🈲️ works as the emoji shorthand for that.

13. 🈵️ 満 (まん): No Vacancy

This emoji means “full”, “no vacancy”, or “fully occupied”. This character is often used to indicate that a place or service is at full capacity. However, people often use the emoji to communicate over messages to say they are stuffed after eating or that something is sold out.

Examples:

🈵️ 駐車場 (chuushajou)

Parking full

🈵️ 室 (shitsu) 

No room vacancy

14. 🈳️ 空 (うろ): Vacant

This emoji is the opposite of 🈵, meaning “vacant” or “empty.” It’s often used in Japan to indicate that a room, service, or even job is open. It’s also common to use it in contrast with 🈵️; together, they show availability status (Vacant vs Full).

Examples:

🈳️ 室 (akishitsu)

Room vacancy

🈳️ 車 (akisha) 

Parking available

15. 🈯️ 指 (ゆび):  Point Out or Finger

Derived from 指定 (shitei), meaning “designated” or “reserved.” You’ll often see this in Japanese train reservations (like 指定席 vs 自由席), indicating “reserved” and “non-reserved” seating.

Examples:

🈯️ 席 (shitei seki)

Reserved seat

🈯️ 定 (shitei)

Designated area

Why Are There Kanji Emojis?

The symbols we learned above originated from Japanese signage and newspapers, where short kanji terms were used to save space. When Japanese emoji sets were standardized by Unicode, these business-related icons, like 🈺, short for 営業中 (eigyou chuu) meaning “now open”, were included because they’re so common in daily life. 

So, these kanji emojis play a similar role to the typical facial emojis (e.g. 😂), which work as convenient shortcuts for expressing something in a single symbol. The reason why kanji words work so well as emojis may be due to the fact that kanji by themselves already express certain meanings, so it only made sense to make them into emojis to save space and be easier to notice.

Conclusion

Kanji emojis could be thought of as tiny snapshots of everyday Japanese language and culture. Each one comes from real signage and expressions you’ll encounter all over Japan, whether at a restaurant, a station, or a convenience store. 

Mastering these emojis can help you communicate more naturally with Japanese friends and add a cultural touch to your messages. But if your goal is to truly read, write, and speak Japanese like a native, nothing beats structured learning. 

This is your sign to learn Japanese at Coto Academy! At Coto Academy, experienced teachers guide you through the nuances of kanji, kanji emojis, and everyday expressions, helping you gain confidence in real-world conversation. 

We offer both daily intensive courses for those seeking a concentrated learning program or part-time courses offering greater flexibility, but large gains. If you’re interested, please fill out the form below!

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It is well-known that the Japanese language is considered one of the hardest languages to learn. According to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), which trains U.S. diplomats and government officials in languages and cultures, Japanese is classified as a “Super-Hard” language. But there’s an important caveat: FSI’s rankings are based on how long it takes native English speakers to learn a language.

Around the world, Chinese speakers can often learn Japanese significantly faster, mostly due to the similarities between Chinese characters and Japanese kanji. This is no surprise, since Japanese kanji are largely based on traditional Chinese characters.

Yet, despite these surface-level similarities, Japanese and Chinese belong to entirely different language families. There are aspects of Japanese where a Chinese language background may not help. So, how easy is it for Chinese speakers to study Japanese? How much of a shortcut does prior knowledge of Chinese really provide? This article will explore Japanese from the perspective of a Chinese learner and discuss how long it typically takes for Chinese speakers to learn Japanese.

Why Chinese Speakers Learn Japanese Faster

1. Kanji knowledge

Kanji are logographic characters that originated in China and were introduced to Japan around the 5th century AD. At the time, Japan didn’t have its own writing system. By the Heian period, Japan had developed readings and interpretations for kanji that fit the Japanese language.

For native Chinese speakers or anyone who has studied Chinese, kanji knowledge is a huge advantage. This is because how long it takes to learn Japanese often depends heavily on your familiarity with kanji. They are used not only for reading and writing but also for building vocabulary, since each character represents an idea and can be combined with others to form words.

To give you a better picture, according to Coto Academy, a typical student might need around 787 hours to study for the JLPT N4 level. But for students who already know kanji, it could take only about 550 hours. This is because learners accustomed to Roman letters face a steep learning curve with Japan’s three writing systems.

Note that Japanese kanji are mostly based on traditional Chinese characters. If you’re only familiar with simplified Chinese characters, like those used in Mainland China or Singapore, some kanji may look different. It doesn’t make learning harder—it just requires a little adjustment.

Read More: Hardest Kanji to Learn

2. Shared Vocabulary (Sino-Japanese Words)

Not only do some Japanese kanji look like Chinese characters, but in some cases, they also sound similar. Take the word “kanji” itself: it uses the same characters as in Chinese, 漢字, and the pronunciation is somewhat similar: kanji in Japanese, hanzi in Chinese.

Why does this happen? Japan adopted many Chinese words over centuries, especially during periods of heavy cultural exchange. While the pronunciation often shifted in Japanese, the meaning and the characters generally stayed the same. This is why Chinese speakers can sometimes understand written Japanese vocabulary even before fully learning Japanese grammar.

That said, not all words work or sound the same. Japanese kanji readings are divided into two main systems: onyomi and kunyomi. Onyomi is the “Chinese-style” reading and is closer to the original Chinese pronunciation when the kanji was borrowed. Many Sino-Japanese words use onyomi, which is why Chinese learners often recognize them. On the other hand, kunyomi is the native Japanese reading, used when the kanji represents a purely Japanese word or concept. These readings usually do not resemble the Chinese pronunciation and can be confusing for beginners.

Take the kanji 水, which means “water,” as an example. In Chinese, it is pronounced shuǐ. In Japanese, the same character has two readings: sui when used as onyomi, and mizu when used as kunyomi. Often, when multiple kanji are combined to form compound words, the pronunciation tends to follow the onyomi reading. This is why some Japanese words sound more similar to their Chinese counterparts, making them easier for Chinese speakers to recognize.

3. Familiarity with Logographic Writing

We touched on this briefly earlier, but it’s worth exploring in more detail. If you grow up speaking English, you’ve likely spent your entire life reading and writing with an alphabetic system, where each symbol (letter) represents a sound rather than a whole word or idea. By combining letters, you form syllables, words, and sentences.

In contrast, a logographic system is one where each character represents a word, idea, or concept rather than a sound. You usually need to memorize each character individually. Chinese, for example, is a logographic language.

For learners from alphabetic-language backgrounds, a large portion of the initial study time when learning Japanese is often spent just getting familiar with the writing system. This is because Japanese uses a mixed writing system, combining logographic and syllabic elements across three scripts: kanji, hiragana, and katakana. Kanji are logographic characters, borrowed from Chinese, while hiragana and katakana are syllabaries where each character represents a syllable or sound. These are not alphabets but phonetic characters used for grammar, word endings, and foreign loanwords.

This mixed system is one of the main reasons Chinese learners often have an advantage: they can recognize many kanji immediately and focus more on grammar and pronunciation, while learners from alphabetic-language backgrounds must learn three separate writing systems from scratch.

Challenges for Chinese Learners When Learning Japanese

Now that we understand why Chinese speakers often get a head start in learning Japanese, we need to remember that this advantage doesn’t make them completely immune to the common challenges and growing pains of studying the language.

1. Grammar differences

Chinese grammar generally follows the subject-verb-object (SVO) order, which is straightforward and familiar to most learners. Japanese grammar, however, follows a subject-object-verb (SOV) order, which can feel unusual at first. 

For example, in Chinese, if you want to say “I want to eat rice,” you would say:

我想吃饭
Wǒ xiǎng chī fàn

This literally means “I want eat rice.”

In Japanese, the sentence structure is different, and the object comes before the verb:

私はご飯を食べたいです
Watashi wa gohan o tabetai desu.

Translating it literally according to its order will give you, “I rice eat want.”

Even with the advantage of kanji knowledge, Chinese learners still need structured guidance to master grammar, sentence patterns, and proper usage in context. This is where Coto Academy’s Japanese lessons can make a real difference. Our courses are designed to help students of all levels, from beginners to advanced learners, build a strong foundation in grammar, expand vocabulary, and develop practical communication skills.

Coto Academy’s approach emphasizes real-life conversation and immersive practice, so you’re not just memorizing kanji and grammar. Ready to be fluent in Japanese? Contact us for a free level check below!

2. Words that look similar but mean differently

Some kanji look identical or similar to Chinese characters, but the meaning in Japanese may have shifted over time. These are often called “false friends.” For example, the character 手紙 means “letter” in Japanese (tegami), but in Chinese, 手纸 literally refers to “toilet paper.” Relying on visual similarity alone can therefore be misleading.

How Much Faster Does It Take for Chinese Speakers to Learn Japanese

According to our data, Chinese learners progress through Japanese and the JLPT about 25–45% faster than other learners. For example, reaching JLPT N5 typically requires around 350 study hours for Chinese learners, compared to roughly 462 hours for others. This advantage becomes even more pronounced at higher levels. For JLPT N2, Chinese learners may need about 1,475 hours, while other learners often require around 2,200 hours. At JLPT N1, the gap widens further, with Chinese learners averaging 2,150 hours compared to 3,900 hours for others.

How Long Does It Take Chinese Speakers to Learn Japanese and Pass the JLPT

Yet despite these challenges, Chinese speakers generally learn Japanese faster than learners from alphabetic-language backgrounds, thanks to shared kanji knowledge, similar vocabulary, and familiarity with logographic writing.

It’s important to note that this comparison focuses on learning the language itself — reading, writing, listening, and speaking — not on mastering social cues or using the correct expressions in context. Those are skills that all foreign learners must develop to be truly fluent in Japanese. Here’s a breakdown of typical progress:

1. Beginner to JLPT N5 (Basic Level)

Estimated time: 3–6 months (350 hours)

For Chinese speakers, reaching the JLPT N5 level typically takes around 350 hours, which may translate to roughly 3–6 months of consistent study at 1–2 hours per day. Their prior knowledge of kanji and some shared vocabulary gives them a head start in reading and recognizing words compared to learners from alphabetic-language backgrounds.

2. Reaching JLPT N4

Estimated time:6 – 12 months (550 hours)

To reach JLPT N4, Chinese learners may need around 550 study hours. The JLPT N4 level is considered upper-beginner Japanese. At this stage, you only need to learn about 300 kanji characters, which is manageable for Chinese learners but still challenging for those from alphabetic-language backgrounds. 

300 kanji sounds like a lot in the first place, btu you still have a long way to go. To be considered “fluent,” you need to memorize the Joyo kanji, a set of 2,136 characters considered essential for everyday Japanese.

3. Reaching JLPT N3

Estimated time: 12 – 24 months (800 – 900 hours)

To reach JLPT N3, you need knowledge of roughly 650 kanji. For Chinese learners, this can take about 800–900 hours, whereas learners without kanji experience may need around 1,300 hours. Here, the advantage of prior kanji knowledge becomes more pronounced, especially for reading comprehension and vocabulary acquisition.

4. Advanced Fluency: JLPT N2 and N1

Estimated time: 18 months – 3 years (1,475 – 2,200 hours)

The gap between Chinese learners and others becomes most noticeable at advanced levels. JLPT N2 requires knowledge of around 1,000 kanji, while JLPT N1 demands mastery of over 2,000 kanji. Reaching N1 typically means achieving advanced proficiency: being able to read newspapers, understand TV shows, and use formal Japanese in both everyday and professional contexts — a level that can take several years for many learners.

For example, students with prior kanji knowledge may need around 1,475 hours to reach N2, while other learners often require about 2,200 hours, roughly 30% more. The gap widens further at N1, with Chinese learners averaging 2,150 hours compared to 3,900 hours for others — almost double the time!

Of course, kanji knowledge alone is not enough. Mastering grammar nuances, honorifics, and native expressions still requires extensive practice and immersion, even for Chinese speakers.

What’s Next? Start Learning Japanese at Coto Academy!

In short, Chinese speakers often have a bit of a head start when learning Japanese, thanks to their familiarity with kanji, shared vocabulary, and experience with a logographic writing system. That said, becoming truly fluent still takes work. Grammar, verb conjugations, particles, politeness levels, and cultural nuances all need to be mastered, and even with kanji knowledge, challenges like pronunciation differences, false friends, and using the right expressions in context can trip up any learner.

This is where Coto Academy’s intensive Japanese and JLPT lessons really help. Our courses are built to support learners at every level, from beginners to advanced, helping you strengthen grammar, grow your vocabulary, and practice using Japanese in real situations. With experienced teachers, immersive lessons, and a clear, step-by-step approach, Chinese learners can make the most of their kanji advantage while tackling the areas that need extra attention. 

Why join Coto Academy?

• Small classrooms with only up to 8 students for personalized support
• Professional native Japanese teachers, all trained to help you succeed
• Over 60 different Japanese classes across 18 levels, tailored to your needs
• A fully online Japanese language school so that you can learn anywhere, anytime!

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