日本語
nihongo[ɲ̟ihõ̞ŋɡo̞]
The phrase "japanese language" in Japanese is 日本語 (nihongo).
日本語 refers to the official language spoken in Japan.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 日本 (Nihon), meaning "Japan" and the suffix 語 (go), meaning "language".
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix 語 (go) is attached to the name of a country to indicate its language.
How do you pronounce it?
nihongo
Did you know?
- Japanese speakers use a special script called katakana specifically to write foreign loanwords, meaning the 'Japanese language' literally incorporates the sounds of other languages into its own writing.
- While 日本語 describes the language, Japanese has a unique concept called kogo, which refers to the archaic or classical form of the language used in ancient literature.
- While 日本語 is the standard term, you may hear people use 国語, meaning 'national language', when referring to it in a domestic school setting.
Examples in context
- 日本語ができる人はいますか？Does anyone know the Japanese language?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has the ability to speak 日本語.Tatoeba #8534194 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #1925930 by dryhay
- 英語と日本語のリンクを外しました。I removed the English and Japanese language links.This sentence is useful for describing the removal of links between English and 日本語.Tatoeba #9039641 by small_snow, translation #10252443 by terrywallwork
- 日本語の一人称の多さに日本人自身も選択を戸惑います。The many first person pronouns in the Japanese language causes even Japanese people some confusion.This sentence is useful for noting how the variety of first-person pronouns in 日本語 can cause confusion.Tatoeba #9614725 by Sim5634, translation #11248507 by pip
- 日本語を勉強しています。I'm learning the Japanese language.
- 日本語と大和言葉って、どっちがよく話されるの？Which is more commonly spoken, 日本語 or 大和言葉?
- 日本語が大好きです！I love the Japanese language!
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are talking about language studies at a cafe.
- 蓮 Ren日本語を勉強していますか？Nihongo o benkyou shite imasu ka?Are you studying Japanese?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、少しずつです。Hai, sukoshizutsu desu.Yes, little by little.
- 蓮 Ren陽葵さんは日本語が上手ですね。Himari-san wa Nihongo ga jouzu desu ne.Himari, your Japanese is very good.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 日本語, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
