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Javanese vs. Japanese — What's the Difference?

By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 2, 2024
Javanese is an Austronesian language spoken in Indonesia, while Japanese is a Japonic language primarily used in Japan.
Javanese vs. Japanese — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Javanese and Japanese

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Key Differences

Javanese, primarily spoken on the island of Java in Indonesia, boasts over 82 million speakers. It features a distinct level of speech levels indicating formality and social hierarchy. On the other hand, Japanese, spoken by about 128 million people in Japan, incorporates a similar respect level system through honorifics and different politeness levels, reflecting the speaker's and listener's relative social statuses.
While Javanese uses a Latin script predominantly since the 20th century, it also has its traditional script known as Hanacaraka or Carakan, used historically and in cultural contexts. Japanese, however, employs a complex writing system that includes kanji (characters borrowed from Chinese), as well as two syllabic scripts, hiragana and katakana.
Javanese grammar is not as rigid as that of Japanese. It does not employ verb conjugation to indicate tenses; instead, it uses context and time words to convey temporal aspects. In contrast, Japanese verbs are inflected to indicate tense, mood, and level of politeness.
The phonology of Javanese is marked by a relatively simple vowel inventory and a notable feature called the ngoko and kromo forms, where vocabulary choice indicates formality. Meanwhile, Japanese phonology includes pitch accent, which can change the meaning of words depending on their pitch.
Javanese culture heavily influences its language, with vocabulary rich in terms relating to the indigenous and colonial history of Java. Conversely, Japanese language has absorbed numerous loanwords from Chinese, English, and other languages, reflecting its history of interaction and modernization.
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Comparison Chart

Number of Speakers

Over 82 million
About 128 million

Script

Latin (primary), Traditional Hanacaraka
Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana

Grammar

Less rigid, no verb conjugation
Rigid, with verb conjugation

Phonology

Simple vowel inventory, speech levels
Complex with pitch accent, politeness

Cultural Influence

Rich in local history
Influenced by foreign languages

Compare with Definitions

Javanese

Pertaining to the native or inhabitants of Java.
The Javanese traditions are well-preserved in their dance and music.

Japanese

A term used to describe the writing system consisting of kanji and kana.
Learning Japanese script is challenging due to its three different character sets.

Javanese

Relating to the culture and language of Java.
Javanese batik patterns are recognized worldwide for their intricate designs.

Japanese

Pertaining to the native people or culture of Japan.
Japanese cuisine is known for its emphasis on seasonality and presentation.

Javanese

A script used historically in Java.
The ancient manuscripts were written in traditional Javanese script.

Japanese

A language of the Japonic family primarily spoken in Japan.
She is studying Japanese to prepare for her trip to Tokyo.

Javanese

A language of the Austronesian family spoken in Java, Indonesia.
She spoke Javanese fluently, conversing easily with the locals.

Japanese

Relating to anything originating from Japan.
His collection of Japanese art includes several rare prints.

Javanese

A term used to describe the various dialects spoken across Java.
His accent revealed his Javanese dialect from the eastern part of the island.

Japanese

Reflective of Japanese societal norms and practices.
The Japanese tea ceremony is a highly ritualized practice.

Javanese

A native or inhabitant of Java, or a person of Javanese descent.

Japanese

Relating to Japan or its language, culture, or people.

Javanese

The Indonesian language of central Java, spoken by about 70 million people.

Japanese

A native or inhabitant of Japan, or a person of Japanese descent.

Javanese

Relating to Java, its people, or their language.

Japanese

The language of Japan, spoken by almost all of its population.

Javanese

Of or relating to Java or its people, language, or culture.

Japanese

Of or relating to Japan or its people, language, or culture.

Javanese

A native or inhabitant of Java, especially a member of the Javanese-speaking majority population.

Japanese

A native or inhabitant of Japan.

Javanese

The Austronesian language of the principal ethnic group of Java.

Japanese

A person of Japanese ancestry.

Javanese

Of or pertaining to Java, or to the people of Java.

Japanese

The Japonic language of the Japanese, written in kana and Chinese characters.

Javanese

A native or inhabitant of Java

Japanese

Of or pertaining to Japan, or its inhabitants.

Javanese

The Indonesian language spoken on Java

Japanese

A native or inhabitant of Japan; collectively, the people of Japan.

Javanese

Of or relating to or characteristic of Java or its inhabitants;
Javanese temples
Javanese dialects

Japanese

The language of the people of Japan, called in the Japanese language nihongo.

Japanese

A native or inhabitant of Japan

Japanese

The language (usually considered to be Altaic) spoken by the Japanese people

Japanese

Of or relating to or characteristic of Japan or its people or their culture or language;
The Japanese Emperoro
Japanese cars

Common Curiosities

How prevalent is the use of Javanese outside of Indonesia?

Javanese is predominantly used within Java and some parts of Indonesia; it is not widely spoken internationally.

Do Javanese and Japanese share any common linguistic features?

Both languages exhibit a respect for hierarchy in their linguistic structure, though they are implemented differently.

What role does pitch play in Japanese compared to Javanese?

Pitch in Japanese is crucial as it helps differentiate meanings between words that otherwise sound similar. Javanese does not rely on pitch in the same way.

Is Javanese considered harder to learn than Japanese?

Difficulty is subjective and can depend on the learner’s native language; however, Japanese may be considered harder due to its complex writing system and grammar.

How does the cultural context influence the vocabulary in Javanese and Japanese?

Javanese vocabulary is heavily influenced by its local culture and history, while Japanese has incorporated many loanwords due to international influences.

How do ceremonial languages in Javanese and Japanese compare?

Both cultures use special ceremonial languages. Javanese kromo is used in formal settings, while Japanese uses keigo (honorific language) in similar situations.

What are the main scripts used in Javanese and Japanese historically?

Historically, Javanese used the Hanacaraka script, while Japanese has always used a combination of kanji (derived from Chinese characters) and its indigenous scripts, hiragana and katakana.

How does the teaching of Javanese and Japanese in schools differ within their respective countries?

In Indonesia, Javanese is often taught as a regional language in areas where it is predominantly spoken. In Japan, Japanese is the national language and is taught universally across the country.

Are there any mutual intelligibility aspects between Javanese and Japanese speakers?

There is no mutual intelligibility; Javanese and Japanese are completely distinct languages with different origins.

What impact does the digital age have on the Javanese and Japanese languages?

In Japan, the digital age has facilitated the spread and adaptation of Japanese globally, while in Java, the digital influence is growing but still heavily focused on maintaining traditional cultural aspects.

How has globalization affected the Javanese and Japanese languages?

Globalization has introduced many foreign elements into Japanese, particularly in vocabulary. Javanese has remained more traditional and less influenced by globalization in terms of language structure.

What educational resources are available for learning Javanese compared to Japanese?

There are significantly more resources available for learning Japanese, including online courses, apps, and educational programs, compared to the more regionally focused Javanese language resources.

How do Javanese and Japanese handle foreign loanwords?

Japanese frequently incorporates and adapts foreign loanwords, primarily from English. Javanese, while less exposed to foreign influences, also integrates loanwords, mainly from Dutch and Sanskrit.

What are the challenges in maintaining the Javanese language in the modern world?

Urbanization, migration, and the dominance of Indonesian and English pose challenges to maintaining the Javanese language among younger generations.

What is the role of literature in preserving Javanese and Japanese languages?

Literature plays a critical role in both languages, with a rich tradition of writing that helps preserve and promote the language and culture.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.

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