略語
ryakugo[ɾʲa̠kɯ̟ɡo̞]
The English phrase 'abbreviation' is translated into Japanese as 略語 (ryakugo). Wiktionary also lists 略称 (ryakushō) and 略 (ryaku).
Meaning: shortened or contracted form of a word or phrase (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 略語 | ryakugo | [ɾʲa̠kɯ̟ɡo̞] (narrow) |
| 略称 | ryakushō | [ɾʲa̠kɯ̟ɕo̞ː] (narrow) |
| 略 | ryaku | |
| 省略 | shōryaku | [ɕo̞ːɾʲa̠kɯ̟] (narrow) |
略語 is used to refer to the shortened or contracted form of a word or phrase. When you want to ask what a specific abbreviation stands for, you can use the phrase 何の略ですか.
What does it mean word for word?
The character 略 means 'to omit' or 'to abbreviate'.
Which one should you use?
略語 is used for the shortened form of a word or phrase itself. In contrast, 省略 refers to the act of omitting or shortening something, rather than the resulting shortened form itself.
How do you pronounce it?
ryakugo
Did you know?
- The character 略 is also used in the word 略奪, which means 'plunder' or 'pillaging', reflecting the idea of 'taking' or 'stripping' something away.
- When Japanese speakers create brand new abbreviations, they often follow a rhythm of four syllables, known as 'four-beat' contractions.
- In Japanese, many common abbreviations are formed by taking the first syllable of each word, whereas English usually takes the first letter of each word.
Examples in context
- 何の略字ですか。What is this the abbreviation for?This sentence is useful for asking what a specific character or abbreviation stands for using 略.Tatoeba #187698 by small_snow, translation #594681 by CK
- ＧＮＰって、何の略なの？What is GNP an abbreviation for?Tatoeba #9834555 by bunbuku, translation #9834573 by CK
- 特急は特別急行の略。Tokkyū is the abbreviation of tokubetsukyūkō.This sentence is useful for explaining what a specific term is an abbreviation of using 略.
Example conversation
At a university library, a student is asking a classmate about a term.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの略語、どういう意味か分かりますか？Kono ryakugo, dou iu imi ka wakarimasu ka?Do you know what this abbreviation means?
- 美咲 Misakiあ、それは専門用語の略語ですよ。A, sore wa senmon yougo no ryakugo desu yo.Oh, that is an abbreviation of a technical term.
- 大翔 Hirotoなるほど、難しい言葉ですね。Naruhodo, muzukashii kotoba desu ne.I see, it's a difficult word.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔くん、勉強頑張ってね。Hiroto-kun, benkyou ganbatte ne.Good luck with your studies, Hiroto.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “abbreviation” translations and entries 略語, 略称, 略, 省略, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
