Sino-Japanese loanwords in Vietnamese vocabulary

Abstract

Despite extensive research on Chinese loanwords in Vietnamese, the specific role of Sino-Japanese vocabulary has not been systematically quantified. This study examines 842 Sino-Japanese loanwords in Vietnamese, based on the dictionaries of Đào Duy Anh (1932) and Hoàng Phê (2003), in comparison with Saneto’s (1983) list of modern Chinese words of Japanese origin. The results reveal a very high adoption rate of Sino-Japanese vocabulary into the Vietnamese lexicon, reaching 65.20% and 61.40% respectively, indicating extensive linguistic interaction. This process is not merely copying but also involves “Vietnamization” through adjusting word structures or creating “self-created” Sino-Vietnamese words to suit native grammar. The article argues that Vietnamese has actively and continuously absorbed a large volume of Sino-Japanese vocabulary to enrich its lexical resources and meet communicative demands throughout different historical periods. Chinese characters and Sino-Vietnamese phonetics play a pivotal role as a bridge, facilitating the efficient reception of modern concepts.