The Culture Behind Surnames [HSK 6]

Chinese Short Dialogue

A discussion on the similarities and differences in surname cultures among China, Japan, and Korea, analyzing the historical and social factors behind them.

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Available in 8 languages on the app:

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《English Translation》

王明月: Teacher, I've always had a question. China, Japan, and Korea have all been heavily influenced by Chinese culture, but why is there such a big difference between Japanese and Korean surnames? The structure of Korean names is much closer to Chinese, while Japanese surnames seem very unique, and some are even quite amusing.
陈智高: 明月, that's a very interesting question. Indeed, the surname cultures of East Asia have both commonalities and distinct characteristics. This is closely related to each country's historical progress, social structure, and cultural choices. For example, Korea has been deeply influenced by Confucian culture from China, and the clan concept is deeply rooted, with most surnames originating from China. Japan's situation, however, is much more complex.
王明月: I learned that commoners in Japan have only had surnames for a short time, starting to become widespread after the Meiji Restoration. At that time, people were free to choose their surnames, leading to many surnames being related to place names, occupations, or even natural phenomena, like '田中', '铃木', and '渡边.'
陈智高: Exactly. This uniqueness of the '苗字必称令' caused the number of Japanese surnames to far exceed those in China and Korea. Additionally, Japan's reverence for nature and the pursuit of individuality are also reflected in their surname choices. For example, surnames like '花见' and '星野' are poetic and beautiful.
王明月: So, how do these differences in surname culture affect the social life and cultural mindset of the people in these three countries?
陈智高: The impact is multi-faceted. Surnames are not just markers of personal identity, but also carry the memory of family heritage and cultural traditions. The importance Koreans place on surnames reflects their recognition of clan lineage, while the diversity of Japanese surnames reflects their pursuit of individuality and freedom. These differences also influence social interactions and cultural identity in the three countries.
王明月: It seems that behind a simple surname lies a wealth of cultural information, and it's worth exploring in depth. Teacher, I’ll pay more attention to these details in the future and try to understand different cultures from a broader perspective.
陈智高: Very good, 明月. The charm of cultural studies lies in this—it requires us to observe meticulously and analyze in conjunction with historical and social contexts. Only then can we truly understand the essence of different cultures and promote exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations.