Translation and Meaning of: 英語 - eigo
If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 英語[えいご]. It is one of those expressions that frequently appears in educational materials, animes, and even in everyday conversations in Japan. But what exactly does it mean? How did it come about? And what is its importance in Japanese culture? In this article, we will explore all of this and a bit more, from its origin to practical tips for memorizing this very useful term.
The meaning and translation of 英語[えいご]
The word 英語[えいご] is composed of two kanji: 英 (ei), which can refer to England or mean "excellent," and 語 (go), which means "language" or "idiom." Together, they literally mean "English language." It is the standard term used in Japan to refer to the English language, whether in academic, professional, or informal contexts.
It is worth noting that, although 英語 is the most common form, there are other related words, such as 英文 (eibun, "English text") or 英会話 (eikaiwa, "English conversation"). However, 英語 is the one you will find most often in books, signs, and even in advertisements for language schools.
The origin and history of the term
The introduction of English in Japan began to gain traction during the Meiji Period (1868-1912), when the country underwent intense westernization. At that time, western terms were adapted into Japanese, and 英語 emerged as the standard way to refer to the language. Interestingly, the kanji 英 was already used in China to refer to England even before it was adopted in Japan.
Today, English is one of the most studied foreign languages in Japan, present in the school curriculum since elementary education. Despite this, many Japanese people still face difficulties with the language, which makes 英語 a term rich in cultural meanings—from admiration for Anglophone culture to frustration with English tests in school exams.
How to memorize and use 英語 in your daily life
An effective way to fix 英語 in memory is to associate it with practical situations. For example, if you have already seen advertisements for schools like 英会話スクール (eikaiwa sukūru, "English conversation school"), that word is likely already in your passive vocabulary. Another tip is to remember that 英 appears in other related words, such as 英国 (eikoku, "United Kingdom").
In everyday life, 英語 appears in various contexts—from signs in airports to restaurant menus. If you are in Japan and need help in English, you can ask: 英語が話せますか？(Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?, "Do you speak English?"). This is a simple sentence, but it can be very useful for tourists and students.
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 英語 (Eigo) - English
- イングリッシュ (Ingurrisshu) - English (transliteration of English)
- 英会話 (Eikaiwa) - Conversation in English
- 英文 (Eibun) - Texto ou frase em inglês
- 英語力 (Eigo-ryoku) - English skill level
Romaji: eigo
Kana: えいご
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5
Translation / Meaning: the English language
Meaning in English: the English language
Definition: Japanese Dictionary: A reference work that contains an alphabetical list of words in a language with definitions, usage examples, and other information.
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How to Write in Japanese - (英語) eigo
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (英語) eigo:
Example Sentences - (英語) eigo
See below some example sentences:
Kono bunshou wo eigo ni yakusu hitsuyou ga arimasu
It is necessary to translate this text into English.
You need to translate this sentence into English.
- この - demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this"
- 文章 - noun meaning "text", "writing" or "composition"
- を - direct object particle
- 英語 - noun meaning "English"
- に - target or direction particle
- 訳す - verb meaning "to translate"
- 必要 - adjective meaning "necessary" or "essential"
- が - subject particle
- あります - verb meaning "to exist" or "to have"
Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?
You speak English?
You can talk in English?
- 英語 - 英語 (えいご)
- が - grammatical particle in Japanese that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 話せます - 日本語で「話す」という動詞は、現在形で丁寧な形では「話します」となります。
- か - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates a question