英語
Eigo[e̞ːɡo̞]
英語 (Eigo) is the Japanese word for the English language.
英語 is used specifically when you are naming the English language itself.
Meaning: the English language (name)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji 英, which represents England and 語, which means language.
Which one should you use?
Use 英語 when referring to the language. If you are referring to things that pertain to England or the UK, such as English history or English culture, use イギリスの or 英.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the word as an adjective to modify a noun, such as 'an English book', you should add の to the end to form 英語の.
How do you pronounce it?
Eigo
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific term called 和英 to describe an 'English-Japanese' dictionary, where 和 represents Japan and 英 represents England.
- Because the character 英 can also represent the 'hero' in 'heroic', the word for English language shares a visual root with words for brave or talented people.
- The term 英語 is a Sino-Japanese construction, meaning it follows the linguistic logic of Chinese rather than being a native Japanese word.
Examples in context
- 英語わかんない。I don't understand English.This sentence shows how to express a lack of understanding of 英語.Tatoeba #10131677 by small_snow, translation #256180 by CN
- 英語、分かるよ。I know English.This sentence shows how to express having knowledge of 英語.Tatoeba #10212559 by small_snow, translation #9407952 by DJ_Saidez
- 英語、話せるよ。I can speak English.This sentence shows how to express the ability to speak 英語.Tatoeba #10212567 by small_snow, translation #256187 by CK
- Eigo ga dekiru ka? (英語ができるか？)Can you speak English?
- 952 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hina and Kenta are talking about their school subjects.
- 陽葵 Himari健太くんは英語が得意？Kenta-kun wa eigo ga tokui?Kenta, are you good at English?
- 健太 Kentaううん、英語は苦手なんだ。Uun, eigo wa nigate nanda.No, I'm not very good at English.
- 陽葵 Himariじゃあ、一緒に英語を勉強しよう。Jaa, issho ni eigo o benkyou shiyou.Then, let's study English together.
- 健太 Kentaいいね！お願いするよ。Ii ne! Onegai suru yo.That sounds good! I'll count on you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “english” translations and entries 英語, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 英語, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
