Difference Between Chinese and Filipino

Chinese vs. Filipino

Chinese and Filipinos are two different groups of people, or nationalities. The typical Chinese person will look different from the typical Filipino. Their cultures in general are also worlds apart. However, it may be because of the fact that the Philippines (where the Filipinos reside) has become a melting pot for other Asian civilizations, that causes some confusion between the two races.

In the past, foreign Chinese traders have embraced the Filipino culture, relocated, intermarried, and even lived with the Filipinos, paving the way to a certain blend of nationalities, like Filipino-Chinese, and many others. However, without any doubt, Filipinos are really the people inherent, or the natives of the Philippines archipelago. Chinese, on the other hand, are those who reside in Mainland China, and even in overseas China, like Taiwan.

Their languages are very different. In spite of the aforementioned mix in cultures, Filipinos have been more Americanized because of the previous American rule in the land. Hence, the majority of Filipinos speak fluent English (American or Western Style) and at the same time retain the remainder of their prominent languages, such as Tagalog and Cebuano. Conversely, the Chinese speak Mandarin, Cantonese, Wu and other native Chinese languages.

In terms of looks, it is very difficult to spot what a real pure Filipino would look like these days. With influences coming from Japan, U.S.A and Spain, many Filipinos have become ‘mestizos’ (a term colloquially used in the land to refer to people of mixed nationalities or races). Nevertheless, pure Filipinos have black hair. Their skin does not resemble those of the Blacks or the Whites. Their skin tone is somewhat in between; hence the term they often regard as ‘kayumanggi’. This is within the range of light brown to dark brown. They also have rounder black eyes with a medium body built.

With regard to the Chinese, they have eyes that almost always look like they are ordinarily shut. Moreover, their eyes seem somewhat slanted. They also have a small to medium body built, and most Chinese look thinner as opposed to other Asian races. Compared to most Filipinos, they are generally taller.

In summary:

1. Filipinos are people from the Philippines (native residents of the country), whereas Chinese are the people inherent in either Mainland or overseas China

2. Filipinos have rounder eyes compared to the almost closed-eyed look of the Chinese people

3. Filipinos mostly speak or converse using English, Tagalog and Cebuano, whereas many Chinese speak using the languages: Mandarin, Wu and Cantonese.

Sharing is caring!