新語

• Reading: しんご
• Romaji: shingo
• Kanji breakdown: 新 (shin) — new; 語 (go) — word, language
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.ɴ.ɡo/

Meaning

New word; neologism; a newly coined term that has entered the language.

A noun referring to words newly created or adopted by a language, typically reflecting social change, technological development, or cultural shifts. In Japan, the annual 流行語大賞 (Word of the Year award) highlights prominent 新語 and buzzwords. Linguists study 新語 as evidence of a language's ongoing evolution.

Examples

1. インターネットの普及に伴い、無数の新語が日本語に加わった。 With the spread of the internet, countless new words were added to Japanese.
2. 毎年末に発表される流行語大賞は、その年を代表する新語を選ぶ賞である。 The Word of the Year award announced every year-end is a prize that selects the new words that represent that year.
3. SNSを中心に生まれた新語は、若い世代から中高年へと急速に広まることがある。 New words born primarily on social media can sometimes spread rapidly from younger generations to the middle-aged and elderly.

Usage Guide

Context: linguistics, media, youth culture

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Straightforward compound of 新 (shin, new) and 語 (go, word/language). The concept of neologism is universal, but in Japanese the term gained particular prominence with the rapid language change accompanying Westernisation in the Meiji era and later with digital communication.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal