Course Introduction: Chinese
Foreign Language Courses | Foreign Language II: Chinese
Understand the Culture and Become an Economic Bridge
China, Japan's close neighbor, has undergone remarkable economic and social transformation since the 1980s and continues to play an increasingly important role in the global community. News about China is a constant presence in our daily lives, reflecting just how closely connected our two countries have become. Understanding China is therefore more important than ever. Learning Chinese can open up opportunities for your future career while also serving as a first step toward deeper mutual understanding between Japan and China.
Although Chinese may seem familiar to Japanese learners because it uses Chinese characters, it differs from Japanese in many important ways. Chinese follows a basic Subject-Verb-Object word order and does not use grammatical case endings or verb conjugations. Pronunciation also presents a unique challenge. Chinese uses four tones—patterns of pitch that distinguish meaning—and the same syllable can have completely different meanings depending on the tone used. In the required Chinese language courses, students build a solid foundation in pronunciation and grammar while learning to navigate these differences from both Japanese and English.
As students progress in their studies, we hope they will become curious not only about the language itself but also about the culture, society, and ways of thinking that shape it. The questions students ask often inspire us as instructors as well, encouraging us to reflect on both Chinese and Japanese from new perspectives and leading to fresh discoveries. Guided by the spirit of mutual learning, we strive to create engaging, interactive classes in which students and instructors learn from one another.
Developing real proficiency in a language requires more than classroom study alone. To support both classroom learning and independent study, the Faculty of Economics has developed its own shared supplementary learning materials. Students who wish to explore Chinese history, society, and culture in greater depth can also take elective courses such as Area Studies: Contemporary State of Affairs in China and General Education Seminar.
We hope that this course will be the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning. Whether during your years at university or long after graduation, we encourage you to continue exploring the Chinese language and the rich culture behind it.
（Assistant Professor Megumi Unoura）