how can u tell if the person is japanese or chinese?

Question

wut do they have different?



i have the feeling that ppl will get offended by this question(hope not,but if u do .it wasnt my intention)i just want to get informed

Answer 1

I can tell you that because I hate being called Japanese instead of Chinese and being mocked at, although I have nothing against Japanese people.
They almost look the same but their faces are flater than ours.
You cannot tell the difference if our eyes or slanted or not. It's the physical feature of our faces that give it away, and sometimes the skin color.

Also, our language is harder and uses the throat more. more Zs, Js, and more vowels than Chinese people. Their tongue sounds more easy to say.

Ex: Orenji ( {Oren - g}I think)
Ni hao (Nee haow) A as in almond


And if you're not sure, just ask this:
Excuse me, but might I ask what ethnic are you?
And not: Are you Chinese or Japanese? (Because if they are neither, it may offend them)

Answer 2

They might not be either. There are other nationalities that look similar, but for some reason, a lot of people see an Asian person and automatically think "They are either Chinese or Japanese." The weird thing is, I *just* saw another question asking why people think that way. Small world, huh?

Answer 3

Learn a little about their languages, and then you can try conversing. If they speak English, ask them! One good phrase to learn in Japanese; (I don't speak Chinese) is "Nihon go wakri mashta?" which simply means, "Do you speak Japanese?" If they answer "Hai" they are probably Japanese.

If you get a blank stare, the person is probably Chinese (or Vietnamese, or Korean, or Cambodian or Laotian, or an American of Oriental decent etc, etc, etc, etc....)

These are not the only two Oriental cultures, you know?)

Answer 4

don't be offended. there are differences. obviously the language is the key distinction - japanese has more z's and hard g's and sounds a bit harsher than chinese. japanese also have distinct facial characteristics. hard to describe, but they are definitely noticeable - rounder eyes, pointier chins, slightly wavy hair, etc. these are attributed to the ainu bloodlines that are unique to the japanese. they also don't have a preponderance of moon-faces like the chinese. i'm just being honest about some of the differences, so no one take offence please.

Answer 5

or Korean Laotian Vietnamese Filipino Cambodian etc.

While there are some physical characteristics different between different Asian nations, the challenge of determining a person's heritage just by looking at them is hard and very imprecise.. in much the same way that you would not be able to tell me if I was of English/German/Croatian/Nordic heritage just by looking.

The style of decor in traditional House holds is different, as well as the characters in their written words... But many/most Asian-Americans are integrated enough into society that you'd be hard pressed to find difinitive objects...

the best way to tell if a specific person is of a specific heritage is to google their last name... and maybe "country of origin"... or just ask...

any other way to tell just by looking would require a long period of close relationships/interactions with asian people of various ethnicities.. and still, it'd just be a guess...

Answer 6

As far as I can tell, Japanese people tend to look browner and are larger in build. Chinese people look kinda white and are more petite.
However, if you know the person somewhat, just bite the bullet and ask them.

Answer 7

Ask them is probably the most certain way as they may have changed their last name. I have trouble between the Koreans and some classes of Chinese unless I can hear them speak in their ancestral tongue. Why would you want to know? Does it really matter?

Answer 8

I don't think there is any way you can tell just by looking at someone. But, I was told you can tell by their last name. Chinese people usually have last names with one syllable. Like Chin, or Chan, etc. Japanese names usually have more than one syllable. Like Takahashi, Suzuki, Yamaguchi, etc.

Answer 9

Well for starters they do actually look different(chinese are smaller than japanese),and the different language is a dead give away.

Answer 10

I believe there really aren't any physical points to ponder here. The way to find out is ask. I live here in Hawaii and sometimes I wonder. The way to find out is to ask about their culture and back ground. Trust me sometimes, nobody knows but them.