母国語

• Reading: ぼこくご
• Romaji: bokokugo
• Kanji breakdown: 母 (bo) — mother; 国 (koku) — country; 語 (go) — language, word
• Pronunciation: /bo.ko.kɯ.ɡo/

Meaning

Mother tongue; native language; language of one's country.

A noun meaning one's native language, with an emphasis on the connection to one's home country (母国, bokoku). While 母語 (bogo) is the more precise linguistic term for 'first language,' 母国語 is more commonly used in everyday conversation. It implies the official or dominant language of the speaker's country of origin, making it slightly different from 母語 when a person's home language differs from their country's official language.

Examples

1. 母国語で話すとやはり安心する。 Talking in your native language just feels comfortable.
2. 彼女は母国語のほかに三か国語を話せる。 She speaks three languages in addition to her native language.
3. 留学中は母国語を使う機会が減った。 While studying abroad, I had fewer opportunities to use my native language.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, education, travel

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 母 (bo, mother) + 国 (koku, country) + 語 (go, language). Literally 'mother country language' — the language of one's homeland.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal