母国語
bokokugo[bo̞ko̞kɯ̟ɡo̞]
In Japanese, the phrase for "native language" is 母国語 (bokokugo).
The term 母国語 is used to refer to one's native language or mother tongue. While it specifically emphasizes the language of one's home country, it is the standard term used in a linguistic sense to mean "native language."
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the characters 母 (mother), 国 (country) and 語 (language), literally meaning "mother country language".
Which one should you use?
The term 母国語 refers to the language of one's native country, whereas the term 母語 is a more formal way to say "mother tongue" specifically.
How do you pronounce it?
bokokugo
Did you know?
- Japanese speakers often use the English loanword 'native' written as ネイティブ to describe someone with natural fluency, rather than using the formal term 母国語.
- The character 語 in 母国語 is used for any spoken language, but it also appears in 国語, which specifically refers to the Japanese language when used within Japan.
- Because 母国語 contains the word for 'country', it can sound slightly odd if a person is a stateless refugee or does not have a recognized home country.
Examples in context
- 英語は私の母国語です。English is my native language.This sentence shows how to state that English is your native language.Tatoeba #189121 by bunbuku, translation #510530 by CN
- 英語は私の母国語ではない。English is not my native language.This sentence demonstrates how to negate the statement that English is your native language.Tatoeba #189122 by bunbuku, translation #26269 by CK
- イタリア語が私の母国語です。Italian is my native language.This sentence shows how to state that Italian is your native language.Tatoeba #1615386 by Meow, translation #2595635 by WestofEden
- 私の母語は英語です。My native language is English.
- それは私の母国語ではありません。That is not my native language.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their language abilities in a classroom.
- 結衣 Yui蓮さんは母国語は何ですか？Ren-san wa bokokugo wa nan desu ka?Ren, what is your native language?
- 蓮 Renフランス語が僕の母国語です。Furansugo ga boku no bokokugo desu.French is my native language.
- 結衣 Yuiすごいですね！日本語も上手です。Sugoi desu ne! Nihongo mo jouzu desu.That's amazing! Your Japanese is also good.
- 蓮 Renありがとうございます、もっと勉強します。Arigatou gozaimasu, motto benkyou shimasu.Thank you, I will study more.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 母国語, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
