與母語相似的第二語言習得的難易問題一直是一個時有爭論的話題。其中有與母語相似的目的語容易習得的觀點，同時也有認為與母語相似的目的語有時反而更加難習得的觀點。兩種不同觀點的產生可能是因為語言之間的相似性表現在很多複雜而不同的方面所引起的。相似性所表現的具體方面不同或許會決定對二語習得所產生影響的正負性，或許因此而造成了學者的爭論。那麼我們在沒有完全確認目的語與母語之間的相似性對某語言習得的具體方面影響如何時，就需要對所要考察的該具體方面的習得情況進行實證後才可做出結論。日語和漢語都有漢字，它們之間具有很多關聯性，所以我們說到漢日兩種語言之間的相似性其實大多數情況下是指它們之間的這種關聯性。那麼該關聯性對日本學習者的漢語習得有沒有正面的影響呢？本文不是考察日語整體習得上的影響，而是對其中的學習者在漢語詞彙的習得上的影響。而本文又將詞彙習得上的影響更加具體到詞彙再認方面的影響。通過對日本大學一年級學生的漢語期末考試的解答進行了具體調查，然後從認知心理的角度做了深入的分析。我們的結論是漢日兩種語言漢字之間的關聯性越強，對學習者的詞彙再認就越有幫助。另外，本文也對日本學習者在漢語詞彙再認時容易犯錯的幾種典型的認知機制進行了考察。

Is it easy to learn a second language which is similar to one’s native language? The controversy surrounding this theme is probably attributable to the specific similarities and differences embodied in the languages. It is probable that the effects depend on which parts of the languages are being discussed. In any case, it isnecessary to do an empirical investigation on learners’ attitudes regarding similarities between a foreign language and their own. The similarity between Chinese and Japanese is mainly embodied in the fact that both languages use logographic characters. Although Chinese characters are not completely the same as those in Japanese, the cognitive associations are often close. This study investigated if these associations help Japanese learners (college freshmen in this study) recognize Chinese vocabulary. Through two surveys, this study empirically found that associations between characters in the two languages positively affect the learners in recognizing as well as understanding vocabulary. The study also analyzed cognitive reasons why Japanese learners cannot recognize some Chinese words.