The major difference between Chinese vs. Japanese eyes lie in their shape. Where Japanese have round or oval eyes, Chinese feature angular eyes. Another notable difference can be seen in the slant of these two sets of eyes. Chinese eyes slant downwards while Japanese eyes slant upwards.
Let’s take a closer look at Japanese eyes vs. Chinese eyes:
| Shape | Chinese eyes are angular while Japanese are round |
| Slant | Chinese eyes slant downwards while Japanese slant upward |
| Size | Chinese eyes are smaller than Japanese eyes |
| Double eyelids | Chinese have smaller double eyelids than Japanese |
Table of Contents
What are Chinese Eyes?
Chinese eyes belong to Hoklo, Hakka, and Cantonese people. These are angular and slant downwards. The area above the eyelid and under the eyes contribute to the shape of Chinese eyes.
What are Japanese Eyes?
Japanese eyes belong to Yayoi, Jōmon, and Mongols. These are round or oval-shaped and slant upwards. The area under the eye majorly contributes to the shape of Japanese eyes. Japanese eyes appear wider and are a prominent feature of Japanese faces. The facial expression resulting from Japanese eyes is that of a frown.
Chinese Eyes vs. Japanese Eyes Similarities Explained
- Both Chinese and Japanese eyes are small.
- Both Chinese and Japanese eyes might feature double eyelids.
- The area under the eyes plays a major role in the shape of both Chinese and Japanese eyes.
- Both Japanese and Chinese eyes form a slant.
Korean vs. Chinese vs. Japanese Eyes
People tend to confuse Chinese and Japanese eyes with Korean eyes as well. Let us understand the differences between them to better know the Asian eyes difference. Korean, Chinese, and Japanese eyes are confused since all three pairs of eyes are small and might feature a single eyelid. You must closely look at the shape of these three types of eyes to spot a difference. Chinese eyes are angular, Japanese eyes are either round or oval-shaped, and Korean eyes are almond-shaped.
10 Key Differences Between Chinese and Japanese Eyes That Must Be Considered
The difference between Japanese and Chinese eyes is highlighted here:
| Basis | Chinese eyes | Japanese eyes |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | They belong to Hoklo, Hakka, and Cantonese people. | They belong to the Mongols, Yayoi, and Jōmon people. |
| Shape | These are angular. | These are either round or oval. |
| Size | These are smaller than Japanese eyes. | These are a bit larger than the Chinese eyes. |
| Slant | They slant downwards. | They slant upwards. |
| Prominence on face | They are not a prominent feature on a Chinese face. | They are a prominent feature of a Japanese face. |
| Shape determinant | The area under the eyes and above the eyelid contributes to the shape of Chinese eyes. | The area under the eyes is the major contributor to the shape of Japanese eyes. |
| Eyelids | These eyes feature single eyelids or double eyelids that are small. | These eyes feature single eyelids or double eyelids that are larger in appearance. |
| Facial expression | These eyes lead to a smiling facial expression. | These eyes lead to a frowning facial expression. |
| Appearance | These eyes tend to appear smaller since the Chinese generally have smaller and rounder faces. | These eyes tend to appear wider since Japanese generally have longer or oval faces that are also wider than the Chinese faces. |
| Size of double eyelids and coverage | They usually have smaller double eyelids whenever it is present. It makes their eyes appear quite small. | They usually have larger double eyelids whenever it is present. It makes their eyes appear massive due to more coverage. |
Comparison Chart
Comparison Video
The Final Words
It might be confusing to differentiate between Chinese and Japanese eyes since they are small and might feature single eyelids. The easiest way to spot the difference is to look at the slant of these two pairs of eyes. Where Chinese eyes slant downwards, Japanese eyes slant upwards. Additionally, Japanese eyes appear to be wider as Japanese faces are longer and wider than Chinese faces. This very difference makes Japanese eyes a prominent feature of Japanese faces while Chinese eyes are the least prominent feature of a Chinese face. You will also notice that Japanese eyes are either round or oval while Chinese eyes are angular in shape.
Chinese and Japanese Eyes FAQs:
What’s the Difference Between Chinese and Japanese Eyes?
Chinese eyes are angular and slant downwards while Japanese eyes are round or oval and slant upwards.
Do Chinese and Japanese Eyes Slant Differently?
Yes. Chinese eyes are slant and are angled downwards whereas Japanese eyes are angled upwards.
What Eye Shape do Japanese People have?
Japanese people have oval-shaped or round eyes. On the contrary, Chinese eyes have a slanted appearance.
Do Japanese have Double Eyelids?
Yes. It has been reported that around 40% of the Japanese have double eyelids. (Ref. 1)
Are Chinese, Japanese, and Korean the same?
Chinese, Japanese, and Korean are three different ethnic groups belonging to East Asia. They share many similarities in their cultures, appearances, and languages. These similarities might be due to their common ancestry. Their most recent common ancestor dates back to 3000-3600 years ago (Ref. 2).
Chinese, Japanese, and Korean differ largely in their facial features, notably eyes. Where Japanese eye shape is round or oval, Chinese eyes are angular, and Korean eyes are generally almond-shaped. Chinese eyes are slanted downwards, Japanese eyes are slanted upwards, and Koreans have the smallest eyes of all three populations.
Similar differences can be noticed in their face shapes with Chinese having rounder faces, Japanese having long and wide faces, and Koreans displaying sharper jawline and prominent cheekbones.
Do Chinese have Double Eyelids?
Yes, more than 50% of the Chinese have double eyelids. The percentage could range anywhere between 66% to 83% depending upon varied factors like gender, demographics, et al. (Ref. 3)
