文
First grade kyōiku kanji[mõ̞ɴ]
The Japanese word for "a sentence" is 文 (First grade kyōiku kanji).
文 is used to refer to a single, complete set of words that typically contains a subject and a predicate.
Which one should you use?
While 文 refers specifically to a single sentence, the term 文章 (bunshō) is used to describe a broader piece of writing, a composition or a sequence of sentences.
How do you pronounce it?
First grade kyōiku kanji
Did you know?
- The character 文 was used in ancient times to describe a specific type of coin, linking the concept of 'language' or 'writing' to currency.
- The word 文章 (bunshō) describes a composition, but if a Japanese speaker calls a piece of writing 文才 (bunsai), they are praising the author's innate literary talent.
- In formal contexts, the word 文 is used to distinguish between 'literary' style (文語) and 'spoken' style (口語), dividing the language into two distinct modes.
Examples in context
- これは文ですか？Is this a sentence?This is useful for asking if something is a sentence.Tatoeba #10798004 by small_snow, translation #10025559 by shekitten
- 吾輩は文である。I am a sentence.This is a way to state 'I am a sentence'.Tatoeba #11897942 by small_snow, translation #10197991 by espamatics
- これは文では無い。This is not a sentence.This is a way to state 'This is not a sentence'.Tatoeba #627950 by arihato, translation #547389 by MUIRIEL
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A student asks a teacher about a grammar rule.
- 陽太 Yotaこの文は正しいですか？Kono bun wa tadashii desu ka?Is this sentence correct?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、完璧な文です。Hai, kanpeki na bun desu.Yes, it is a perfect sentence.
- 陽太 Yota良かったです。Yokatta desu.That's a relief.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太君、よくできました。Youta-kun, yoku dekimashita.You did a good job, Youta.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 文, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 文, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
