日语

• Pinyin: Rì yǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 日 = pictograph of the sun, also short for Japan; 语 = 讠(speech) + 吾 (I, me) — language

Meaning

Japanese language. The language spoken in Japan.

Refers specifically to the Japanese language, not to be confused with 日文 which can refer to Japanese writing. Related terms include 日语学习 (Japanese learning), 日语水平 (Japanese proficiency), and 日语翻译 (Japanese translation/interpreter). Many Chinese learners study Japanese due to cultural proximity and shared characters.

Examples

1. 她从小就对日语很感兴趣，现在已经能流利对话了。 She has been interested in Japanese since childhood and can now converse fluently.
2. 日语和中文共用很多汉字，但读音和用法往往不同。 Japanese and Chinese share many kanji characters, but the pronunciation and usage often differ.
3. 他正在准备日语能力测试一级的考试。 He is preparing for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 1 exam.

Usage Guide

Context: language learning, culture, career

Tone: informative

Do Say

• 你会说日语吗？(Can you speak Japanese?)
• 我在学日语。(I'm learning Japanese.)

Don't Say

• 不要混淆'日语'和'日文' (日语 refers to the spoken language; 日文 often refers to written Japanese — though in practice they're sometimes used interchangeably)

Origin & History

Compound of 日 (Japan, short for 日本) and 语 (language). A standard term for the Japanese language.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal