Newcomer here..漢字 fan from China

Japanese Language
1

Someone introduced me Wanikani, out of curiosity I created an account here…
Lemme introduce myself a bit♪(´∪`●)ゝ
Name is 白澤(Hakutaku/はくたく/BaiZe, depends on the language)
I’m going to take N2 in July of 2025 to challenge myself and to rekindle my interest in Japanese. I passed N2 in 2015 and N1 in 2016, but since then I put Japanese aside…I think my current level of Japanese is around N4…
I’m originally from China, grew up with a strong interest in general knowledge. I was keen on learning of the origins of 漢字, for this hobby, I even travelled to 安陽（あんよう）where archeologists and linguists collected most original 漢字. I’m kinda familiar with classical Chinese and evolution of forms of 漢字, when reading some Japanese texts, I do notice there are some classical Chinese words.

My Japanese vocabulary book arrived yesterday, I’m going to spend 2~3 months reading it, maybe I can share my random thoughts about words I see in the book from the perspective of a Chinese nerd?
I have to admit that I became interested in Japanese mainly because of anime and manga. I’m no longer as passionate about them as I used to be though～
Besides languages, I also like history, mythology, folklore, hikes, anthropology and psychology, I browse lots of non-fictions and explore lots of places.

13 Likes
2

I was browsing that vocabulary book! I was surprised to know うどん（a kind of noodles) when written in 漢字 is 饂飩…In the eyes of native users of Chinese (simplified and traditional), 饂飩(馄饨)is the smaller :dumpling:, something we have for breakfast. I recalled in the ancient times both noodles and “:dumpling:” were called 餅…
I happened to buy a pocket of raw udon the other day, I will have it tomorrow~~

4 Likes
3

Interesting!
Welcome!
And can you share the name of the vocabulary book? I’m curious

1 Like
4

Just a reference book of vocabulary ranging from N5 to N1 for Chinese people who are going to take JLPT. It’s known as 红宝书 here.

2 Likes
5

I thought that one is wonton (though I don’t speak English nor Chinese). My favorite one is 饅頭(まんじゅう). I learned about 餃子(ぎょうざ) and 煎餅(せんべい) recently. Not sure how different is :dumpling:

1 Like
6

Welcome! You certainly have a leg up with Chinese and English already under your belt.

7

餃 has been one of the first kanji I learned, as it was prominently written in the clothes of 餃子 character in dragon ball ( but pronounced チャオズ I think).
Since I learned that kanji, I always think about that personage as “ravioli” in my head :slight_smile:

1 Like