和語

• 読み: わご
• ローマ字: wago
• 漢字の分解: 和 (wa) — Japan, Japanese; 語 (go/kataru) — word, language, to speak
• 発音: /wa.ɡo/

意味

A native Japanese word; a word of Japanese origin as opposed to Sino-Japanese compounds (kango) or foreign loanwords (gairaigo). Also called Yamato kotoba.

和語 (wago) is a technical linguistic term distinguishing the native stratum of the Japanese lexicon from 漢語 (kango, Sino-Japanese words) and 外来語 (gairaigo, loanwords). 和語 tend to carry rich connotative meanings and a softer, more lyrical quality. Core vocabulary — verbs of motion, body parts, basic adjectives, and nature terms — is largely 和語. Understanding the 和語/漢語/外来語 distinction is fundamental to advanced Japanese linguistics, literary analysis, and language pedagogy. 和語 is the technical scholarly term; 大和言葉 is the more culturally resonant equivalent.

例文

1. 和語は漢語に比べて感情的なニュアンスが豊かで、文学的表現に多く使われる。
2. 日本語の動詞の多くは和語で、漢語由来の名詞と組み合わせて使われる。
3. 国語の授業では和語・漢語・外来語の違いを学ぶことが基本となっている。

使い方ガイド

場面: linguistics, language education, literary analysis, lexicography

トーン: scholarly, technical

起源と歴史

Sino-Japanese compound: 和 (wa) meaning Japanese/Japan; 語 (go) meaning language or word. The term linguistically classifies words that originate in the native Japanese language, predating heavy Chinese influence.

文化的背景

時代: Classical-Modern

世代: Adult

社会的背景: Educated