"That's unfamiliar in Japan." vs "It’s not common in Japan."

Question

"That's unfamiliar in Japan." vs "It’s not common in Japan."

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. 'It’s not common in Japan' implies that something is not frequently found or done in Japan, while 'That's unfamiliar in Japan' suggests that something is not known or recognized in Japan. The choice between the two depends on the specific context and the intended meaning.

Last Updated: March 31, 2024

This phrase is used to express that something is not familiar or recognized in Japan.

Examples:

The concept of tipping is unfamiliar in Japan.
The tradition of Halloween is unfamiliar in Japan.
The taste of durian fruit is unfamiliar in Japan.
The practice of hugging strangers is unfamiliar in Japan.
The idea of personal space varies and can be unfamiliar in Japan.

Alternatives:

That's unknown in Japan.
That's not recognized in Japan.
That's alien to Japan.
That's strange to Japan.
That's peculiar in Japan.

This phrase is used to express that something is not typical or usual in Japan.

Examples:

Eating sushi for breakfast is not common in Japan.
Wearing shoes indoors is not common in Japan.
Using chopsticks to eat pasta is not common in Japan.
Having a pet monkey is not common in Japan.
Drinking coffee with meals is not common in Japan.

Alternatives:

It’s rare in Japan.
It’s unusual in Japan.
It’s not the norm in Japan.
It’s atypical in Japan.
It’s out of the ordinary in Japan.

Answer 1

That's unfamiliar in Japan.

This phrase is correct and can be used to convey that something is not known or recognized in Japan.

Answer 2

It’s not common in Japan.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something is not frequently found or done in Japan.

"That's unfamiliar in Japan." vs "It’s not common in Japan."

That's unfamiliar in Japan.

It’s not common in Japan.

Related Comparisons