30 Japanese Language Quiz Questions and Answers

The Japanese language, spoken by approximately 128 million people primarily in Japan, is a fascinating and unique member of the Japonic language family. It is renowned for its intricate writing system, rich cultural heritage, and distinct linguistic features.

Japanese is characterized by a combination of three writing systems: kanji, hiragana, and katakana. Kanji consists of Chinese characters that represent meaning, while hiragana and katakana are syllabic scripts representing phonetic sounds. This complex writing system allows for a flexible expression of ideas and incorporates a vast array of vocabulary borrowed from other languages, particularly Chinese and English.

Grammar in Japanese is structured around verbs and nouns, with a subject-object-verb word order. The language also exhibits unique features like particles, which indicate grammatical relationships and help in sentence formation. Honorifics and polite forms play a significant role in Japanese communication, reflecting the importance of social hierarchy and respect.

Cultural influences have heavily shaped the Japanese language, with many words and expressions deeply rooted in traditional practices, art forms, and religious beliefs. Additionally, the language reflects the Japanese value of indirect communication and the use of context, gestures, and silence to convey meaning.

Learning Japanese opens doors to experiencing the rich cultural heritage of Japan, including its literature, poetry, theater (such as Noh and Kabuki), manga, anime, and traditional customs like tea ceremonies and flower arrangement (ikebana).

Article outline

• Part 1: 30 Japanese language quiz questions & answers
• Part 2: Download Japanese language questions & answers for free
• Part 3: Free online quiz creator – OnlineExamMaker

Part 1: 30 Japanese language quiz questions & answers

1. How many writing systems are used in the Japanese language?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four

Answer: c) Three

2. What are the three writing systems in Japanese?
a) Kanji, Hiragana, Katakana
b) Alphabet, Cursive, Script
c) Romanji, Kana, Furigana
d) Hangul, Pinyin, Cyrillic

Answer: a) Kanji, Hiragana, Katakana

3. Which writing system is primarily used for native Japanese words and grammatical particles?
a) Kanji
b) Hiragana
c) Katakana
d) Romaji

Answer: b) Hiragana

4. What is the purpose of kanji in Japanese writing?
a) To represent sounds
b) To indicate grammatical particles
c) To convey meaning
d) To represent foreign words

Answer: c) To convey meaning

5. Which writing system is commonly used for foreign words and onomatopoeic expressions in Japanese?
a) Kanji
b) Hiragana
c) Katakana
d) Romaji

Answer: c) Katakana

6. What is the romanized form of the Japanese writing system?
a) Kanji
b) Hiragana
c) Katakana
d) Romaji

Answer: d) Romaji

7. What is the standard word order in Japanese sentences?
a) Subject-Verb-Object
b) Verb-Subject-Object
c) Object-Verb-Subject
d) Object-Subject-Verb

Answer: a) Subject-Verb-Object

8. Which of the following is a common honorific suffix used in Japanese?
a) -san
b) -kun
c) -chan
d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

9. What is the purpose of particles in Japanese grammar?
a) To indicate tense
b) To mark the subject of a sentence
c) To connect words in a sentence
d) To indicate grammatical relationships

Answer: d) To indicate grammatical relationships

10. What is the term for the polite form of Japanese?
a) Keigo
b) Kansai-ben
c) Tokyo-ben
d) Kyushu-ben

Answer: a) Keigo

11. Which of the following is a traditional Japanese performing art?
a) Rakugo
b) Karaoke
c) Sushi
d) Sumo

Answer: a) Rakugo

12. What is the traditional Japanese tea ceremony called?
a) Chanoyu
b) Sado
c) Matcha
d) Sencha

Answer: a) Chanoyu

13. What is the term for the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement?
a) Ikebana
b) Haiku
c) Origami
d) Sumi-e

Answer: a) Ikebana

14. What is the term for Japanese comic books and graphic novels?
a) Manga
b) Anime
c) Judo
d) Kabuki

Answer: a) Manga

15. Which writing system is commonly used for furigana (phonetic guides) in Japanese texts?
a) Kanji
b) Hiragana
c) Katakana
d) Romaji

Answer: b) Hiragana

16. What is the term for the polite greeting in Japanese?
a) Ohayou gozaimasu
b) Konnichiwa
c) Arigatou gozaimasu
d) Sumimasen

Answer: b) Konnichiwa

Part 2: Download Japanese language questions & answers for free

17. What is the term for the traditional Japanese puppet theater?
a) Noh
b) Bunraku
c) Kabuki
d) Rakugo

Answer: b) Bunraku

18. What is the term for a traditional Japanese wooden bathhouse?
a) Izakaya
b) Onsen
c) Sento
d) Tatami

Answer: c) Sento

19. What is the term for the Japanese martial art of archery?
a) Karate
b) Judo
c) Kendo
d) Kyudo

Answer: d) Kyudo

20. What is the term for the Japanese art of paper folding?
a) Origami
b) Karate
c) Sumo
d) Haiku

Answer: a) Origami

21. Which of the following is a Japanese traditional New Year decoration?
a) Hinamatsuri dolls
b) Daruma dolls
c) Kadomatsu
d) Maneki-neko

Answer: c) Kadomatsu

22. What is the term for the Japanese traditional theater form that combines drama, music, and dance?
a) Kabuki
b) Noh
c) Bunraku
d) Rakugo

Answer: a) Kabuki

23. What is the term for the traditional Japanese poetry form with 17 syllables?
a) Haiku
b) Tanka
c) Senryu
d) Renga

Answer: a) Haiku

24. What is the term for the Japanese traditional art of bonsai?
a) Suiseki
b) Sumi-e
c) Chado
d) Bonkei

Answer: d) Bonkei

25. What is the term for the traditional Japanese art of storytelling performed by a solo performer?
a) Rakugo
b) Kabuki
c) Noh
d) Bunraku

Answer: a) Rakugo

26. What is the term for the traditional Japanese technique of fabric dyeing?
a) Origami
b) Suminagashi
c) Kirigami
d) Chigiri-e

Answer: b) Suminagashi

27. What is the term for the traditional Japanese art of making ceramics?
a) Shodou
b) Ikebana
c) Ukiyo-e
d) Yakimono

Answer: d) Yakimono

28. Which of the following is a traditional Japanese wooden puzzle box?
a) Koinobori
b) Kendama
c) Kokeshi
d) Himitsu-bako

Answer: d) Himitsu-bako

29. What is the term for the traditional Japanese art of calligraphy?
a) Shodo
b) Chado
c) Sumie
d) Ukiyo-e

Answer: a) Shodo

30. What is the term for the traditional Japanese technique of gold leaf application?
a) Kintsugi
b) Makie
c) Shibori
d) Sashiko

Answer: b) Makie

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