和語
Japanese edit
Kanji in this term | |
---|---|
和 | 語 |
わ Grade: 3 |
ご Grade: 2 |
goon |
Alternative spelling |
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倭語 (rare) |
Etymology edit
Probably a coinage in Japan of Middle Chinese-derived components, as a compound of 和 (wa, “Japan, Japanese”) + 語 (go, “language, word”).
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
- (dated) the Japanese language
- a Japanese word of ancient Japanese origin, such as 見る (miru, “to look, to see”), 光 (hikari, “shining, brightness”), or 桜 (sakura, “cherry tree, cherry blossom”)
Usage notes edit
Wago may be written in kanji, kana, or both, and are read with the 訓読み (kun’yomi, “native Japanese reading”, literally “meaning reading”). Contrast with 漢語 (kango, “Japanese word of Chinese origin”, literally “Han Chinese word”).
Synonyms edit
See also edit
- 漢語 (kango): Japanese words of Chinese origin
- 外来語 (gairaigo): foreign words (generally more recent borrowings from other languages)