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Mandarin Chinese
Cantonese
Japanese
Korean
What language should I learn?
Choosing to study a new language is a significant commitment, especially when considering East Asian languages like Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, Japanese and Korean. Each offers unique challenges and cultural insights. In this guide, we explore these languages through different criteria, including Pronunciation, Grammar, Learning Difficulty, Writing System, and Cultural Differences, to help you decide which language to study and learn effectively.
Pronounication
Grammar
Mandarin Cantonese Japanese Korean
1. Pronunciation
Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language with four distinct tones, meaning the pitch at which a word is spoken can change its meaning. To speak Mandarin effectively, you’ll need to train your ears to listen carefully to tonal variations. The use of Pinyin (拼音), a Romanisation system, aids in studying pronunciation and facilitates more accurate speaking and listening skills.
Cantonese by contrast, has six tones, though some analyses list nine due to distinctions in syllables ending in stop consonants (-p, -t, -k), making it the most complex to pronounce among these four. Listening comprehension can be especially difficult if you don't regularly hear the language spoken, and mispronunciation can easily lead to misunderstandings.
Cantonese has six primary tones, high level, high rising, mid level, low falling, low rising, and low level, that are essential for distinguishing meaning between words that may otherwise sound identical. Each tone gives a word a different meaning, making tonal accuracy crucial for clear communication.
Japanese has no tones, making its pronunciation more accessible for English speakers. However, it employs a pitch accent system where the intonation can affect word meaning. While not as critical as tonal distinctions, understanding pitch accent is essential for sounding natural when speaking and listening in Japanese.
Korean also doesn’t use tones, but it does have subtle consonant and vowel shifts that change based on word position and neighboring sounds. This means you’ll need to listen carefully and practice speaking to master natural pronunciation. Understanding sound contractions and batchim (받침, final consonant) rules will help you speak Korean fluently.
2. Grammar
Mandarin has a relatively simple grammatical structure: no verb conjugations, tenses are often inferred from context, and there’s no subject-verb agreement. However, the use of measure words and word order differences require adaptation. Beginners may find the grammar initially accessible, but advanced fluency demands careful study.
Cantonese shares many core grammatical principles with Mandarin but includes unique particles and sentence-final expressions that add emotional or conversational nuance. These are essential for sounding natural but often difficult to grasp without immersive practice.
Japanese grammar can be challenging. The sentence structure is subject-object-verb, verbs conjugate based on tense and politeness, and particles play a critical role. Formal and informal speech variations must also be studied thoroughly to communicate appropriately.
Korean grammar is similar to Japanese in terms of sentence structure and use of particles. However, verb conjugations are even more central, and speech levels (casual, polite, formal) are built into every sentence. Mastering grammar is key to speaking Korean accurately and respectfully.
3. Writing System
Mandarin uses Simplified Chinese characters in mainland China, while Cantonese primarily uses Traditional Chinese characters. In both, each character represents a meaning and sound, with no alphabet to sound words out phonetically. To read and write fluently, you’ll need to memorize thousands of characters—a major study commitment.
Japanese combines three scripts: Hiragana (ひらがな), Katakana (カタカナ), and Kanji (漢字). Hiragana and Katakana are syllabaries that you can learn quickly, but Kanji involves memorizing Chinese characters similar to Mandarin, making the writing system complex. To learn Japanese effectively, you must invest time in mastering these scripts.
Looking for an easy way to get started with Hiragana?
Just getting into Japanese and curious about the writing system? This beginner-friendly e-book is a simple way to start learning Hiragana — one of the basic Japanese alphabets. You'll get to see how each character looks, how to write it, and how it's pronounced.
Korean stands out for its efficient writing system: Hangul. Created to improve literacy, Hangul is phonetic, scientific, and can be learned in just a few days. While reading is simple, writing advanced Korean sentences still requires understanding grammar and vocabulary. Nonetheless, Hangul allows you to start reading and writing early in your studies.
If you are interested in the Korean alphabet, this Hangul digital worksheet is helpful for you to know how each letter looks, how to write it, and how to say it.
It also comes with two free online videos to help you with pronunciation. ⭐️
Perfect if you’re just starting out, or if you’ve recently gotten into K-pop, K-dramas, or Korean culture.
4. Which language is more difficult to learn?
All four languages are considered challenging for native English speakers, but the difficulty comes from different aspects. It also depends on your interests.
According to research cited by UK institutions like the University of Cambridge’s Language Centre, East Asian languages are among the most challenging for native English speakers due to differences in structure and writing systems.
Mandarin and Cantonese require intensive study. Mastering tones, characters, and idiomatic expressions can take several years of consistent effort. Cantonese learners, in particular, face difficulties due to a lack of standardized learning materials.
Japanese is listed by UK language programs as a high-difficulty language. Its use of multiple scripts, layered honorific systems, and unique grammar requires dedication. Learners are encouraged to supplement classroom study with media immersion to improve fluency.
Korean, despite its accessible alphabet, presents long-term grammatical challenges. Consistent study of verb forms, sentence structure, and speech levels is essential. Fluency in Korean typically requires structured learning and immersion.
No matter which language you pick, how you learn it really matters. Using a systematic approach, like breaking down grammar and building vocabulary step by step, along with interactive methods can make a tough language feel way more manageable.
Watch video: Japanese, Korean, and Chinese: Which one should you study? - Multilingual's opinion (East Asian)
5. Cultural Differences
Mandarin Chinese opens doors to the rich cultural diversity of mainland China and Taiwan. You'll encounter a deep well of history, Confucian thought, traditional arts, and modern global influence. To learn effectively, it helps to understand the values behind the language.
Cantonese offers a unique cultural lens, especially into Hong Kong’s identity. With its own cinema, music (廣東歌, Cantopop), and expressions, speaking Cantonese gives you access to a localized but vibrant cultural world that blends Eastern tradition with Western modernity.
Japanese tea culture, especially the tea ceremony (茶道, sadō), reflects core Japanese values such as harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. It’s more than just drinking tea, it's a mindful practice that embodies aesthetics, etiquette, and Zen influence. Over centuries, it has shaped how Japanese people appreciate simplicity, nature, and quiet reflection, making tea an integral part of both cultural identity and social connection in Japan.
Japanese culture is known for its aesthetic refinement, social etiquette, and deep-rooted traditions, from tea ceremonies and samurai history to anime and manga. Understanding social hierarchy and formality is key to speaking appropriately and learning the language effectively.
Korean is strongly tied to pop culture (K-pop, K-dramas), but also to traditional values that influence how people speak and interact. Speech levels and politeness are crucial in Korean, so cultural awareness is essential for effective communication and respectful language use.
Blackpink is a globally popular K-pop girl group known for their catchy songs, powerful performances, and massive online following. Many fans discover them through viral music videos and social media, and their popularity has even inspired people around the world to start learning Korean.
Source: Netflix "BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky"
6. Number of speakers
Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, Japanese, and Korean are spoken by different communities with unique cultural perspectives, yet they often intersect through shared traditions, like Valentine’s Day.
Mandarin is the most widely spoken language in the world, with over 1 billion native speakers. Studying Mandarin opens doors to communication across China, Taiwan, and global Chinese-speaking communities.
Cantonese is spoken by around 85 million people, primarily in Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong Province, and overseas Chinese communities. While smaller in number, its cultural influence is significant, especially in media and diaspora communities.
Japanese is spoken by approximately 125 million people, mostly in Japan. It is less widespread globally but offers rich cultural and economic engagement, particularly for travel, literature, and business with Japan.
Korean is spoken by over 77 million people, in South and North Korea and in growing communities around the world. Its global appeal has surged with cultural exports like K-dramas and BTS, making it a valuable modern language to study.
7. Final Thoughts
Choosing which language to study depends on your interests, learning style, and cultural goals. If you want to learn effectively, think about what motivates you to speak, listen, read, and write daily. All four languages demand effort, but each opens up a rich and rewarding world. Pick the one that excites you, and the learning will follow.
Each of these languages comes with its own challenges, but you don’t have to tackle them alone. At LingoClass, we offer structured, interactive courses led by experienced native teachers who understand how to guide beginners through every step. Whether you're drawn to Korean dramas, Japanese manga, or Chinese business culture, we’re here to help you turn curiosity into fluency. Let’s make your language journey a rewarding time.