Which one should I learn,Chinese or Japanese?

Mandarin Chinese would really be more useful and will probably become the language of global commerce in a decade or so.

Why don’t you have the ability to choose?

Why do you need the ability to speak an additional language beyond the ones you speak now?

Which language would give you the best return in your financial future?

It’s said that Japanese characters were originated from Chinese characters, and Japanese culture was originated from Chinese culture…

The standard Chinese or say exactly people in North China uses tones. It’s very tough job, I know it. We guys in South China ignore this skill and we found that speaking Chinese would be a bit easy. Haha…but of course, it’s a bit non – standard…

Have a lovely day.

Hi there!

Thanks for sharing your linguistic background and your thoughtful question! It’s impressive that you already know Persian, English, some Korean and French—that multilingual foundation will definitely help in learning a new language.

I completely understand your concern about tones in Chinese. Many learners initially find them challenging, and yes, it can feel strenuous on the voice at first! But the good news is that with consistent practice (and without overstraining your voice), your ear and mouth will adapt. Tools like pinyin and tone-pair drills can make this process much smoother. Plus, as someone familiar with varied language structures, you’ll likely pick up Chinese grammar relatively quickly since it’s quite logical and doesn’t have verb conjugations or grammatical gender.

Given your professional profile—working as an interior designer, a tour guide, and soon a fashion designer—I believe Chinese could be an excellent fit for several reasons:

Global Relevance & Growing Influence: Chinese is spoken by over 1 billion people worldwide. China is a huge market in design, tourism, and fashion. Knowing Chinese can open doors to business opportunities, collaborations, and client networks in Asia and beyond.

Tourism & Cultural Exchange: As a tour guide, speaking Chinese allows you to engage with Mandarin-speaking tourists, who are among the most traveled globally. It can enhance their experience and set you apart in your field.

Design Industry Connections: China is a major hub for manufacturing, textiles, and design innovation. Many fashion and interior designers collaborate with Chinese suppliers, studios, or clients. Knowing the language can give you a competitive edge in sourcing, understanding trends, and building professional relationships.

Future-Proofing Your Career: With China’s growing economic and cultural influence, proficiency in Chinese is increasingly valued across industries. It’s a skill that can diversify your career and keep you adaptable in a globalized market.

Japanese is also a beautiful and useful language, especially in design and tourism. However, if I were to lean one way based on scope of opportunity and future trends, Chinese might offer broader applicability.

My suggestion: maybe give Chinese another short trial—focus on gentle tone practice and everyday phrases—and see if it starts to feel more natural. Remember, even basic proficiency can be incredibly valuable.

Whichever you choose, your multilingual skills will surely be an asset. Best of luck—and feel free to reach out if you need learning resources!

Cheers!