How to Say "A Word" in Japanese

単語

tango[tã̠ŋɡo̞]

The English phrase "a word" is translated into Japanese as 単語 (tango).

単語 is the appropriate term when discussing vocabulary, such as in the context of studying or looking up a specific item in a dictionary.

Which one should you use?

While 単語 refers specifically to a single lexical unit or vocabulary item, 言葉 is a broader term used for words, language or speech in general.

To express the 'number of words' (e.g., a word count), you append the counter 数 (sū) to the end of 単語 to form 単語数 (tango-sū).

tango

There is a concept called 間 (ma) which refers to the 'wordless' space or silence between words. In Japanese culture, this silence is considered as meaningful as the 単語 actually spoken.
In traditional Japanese poetry like haiku, the focus is not on the number of 単語 but on the number of sounds called 'on'. A poem is measured by these rhythmic beats rather than by individual words.
While 単語 is used for vocabulary, the term 言葉 can refer to a promise or a vow. If someone says 'keep your 言葉', they are not talking about a specific lexical unit but about their word of honor.

それぞれの（）の中にある単語のいずれかを選べば、使える英文になります。
You can select a word from any one of the brackets, and it will become a valid English sentence.
This sentence shows how selecting a single 単語 from brackets can create a valid sentence.
Tatoeba #10201369 by small_snow, translation #10808537 by tsp_2
読んでる時に知らない単語が出てきたら、辞書でちゃんとした意味を調べてね。
If you come across a word you don't know while reading, look up its definition in the dictionary.
This sentence is useful for discussing looking up the meaning of a 単語 in a dictionary while reading.
Tatoeba #11870495 by small_snow, translation #10179225 by ddnktr
これは代わりになるものをみつけたい単語だ。
It's a word I'd like to find a substitute for.
This sentence describes a 単語 that you want to find a substitute for.
Tatoeba #4774 by mookeee, translation #1350 by human600
2 more sentences on Tatoeba

Two students are studying for a vocabulary test.

陽葵 Himari

この単語の意味、わかる？
Kono tango no imi, wakaru?
Do you know the meaning of this word?
陽太 Yota

うーん、ちょっと難しい単語だね。
Uun, chotto muzukashii tango dane.
Hmm, it's a bit of a difficult word.
陽葵 Himari

陽太君、辞書で調べてくれる？
Hinata-kun, jisho de shirabete kureru?
Hinata, can you look it up in the dictionary for me?
陽太 Yota

いいよ、すぐ調べるね。
Ii yo, sugu shiraberu ne.
Sure, I'll look it up right away.

Sources

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