Translation and Meaning of: 熟語 - jyukugo

If you are studying Japanese, you have certainly come across the word 熟語 [じゅくご]. It frequently appears in study materials, proficiency tests, and even in everyday life in Japan. But what exactly does it mean? And how is it used in practice? In this article, we will explore the meaning, the origin, and the contexts in which this word is used, as well as tips for memorizing it effectively.

熟語 is an essential term for anyone looking to master the Japanese language, especially for those preparing for exams like the JLPT. Here at Suki Nihongo, we believe that understanding words like this goes beyond simple translation – it's important to know their real usage and cultural significance. Let's unravel all of this below!

What does 熟語 mean and how is it used?

熟語, read as "jukugo", refers to compounds of kanji that form a word with its own meaning. Unlike simple terms written with a single ideogram, jukugos combine two or more kanji to create a new sense. For example, 学校 (gakkou – school) and 電話 (denwa – telephone) are common jukugos in everyday life.

These combinations are fundamental in Japanese because they condense complex ideas efficiently. Often, the meaning of a jukugo can be deduced from the kanjis that compose it, but it is not always that simple. Some, like 大人 (otona – adult), have irregular readings that challenge even advanced students.

The origin and structure of jukugo

The formation of compound words using kanji has deep roots in the Chinese influence on Japan. For centuries, the country imported not only the characters but also the tradition of combining them to express abstract concepts. This system adapted to Japanese, creating a unique and nuanced lexical category.

There are four main patterns for forming jukugo. The most common is the combination of meaning, where the kanji add up to create an idea (like 火山 – kazan – volcano, literally "mountain of fire"). There are also cases where one kanji modifies another, terms that contrast opposing ideas, and even phonetic combinations where the reading takes precedence over the meaning.

Why are jukugo important for students?

Mastering jukugo is crucial for anyone who wants to read Japanese fluently. They make up a large part of academic and professional vocabulary, appearing massively in newspapers, documents, and literature. In the JLPT, especially at levels N2 and N1, knowledge of complex jukugo can be decisive.

An effective strategy to memorize them is to study them in thematic groups. For example, gather terms related to business (会議 – kaigi – meeting, 契約 – keiyaku – contract) or medicine (手術 – shujutsu – surgery, 治療 – chiryou – treatment). Associating individual kanjis with the overall meaning also helps to solidify vocabulary in a more organic way.

Curiosities about jukugos in modern Japan

The Japanese have a special fascination with creative and unusual jukugo. Every year, media outlets select "jukugo of the year" that reflect significant events. In 2020, for example, 密 (mitsu – proximity) gained prominence due to discussions about social distancing during the pandemic.

Another interesting aspect is how some old jukugo gain new meanings. 暗躍 (anyaku), which originally meant "to act in the shadows," is now often used in political contexts to describe questionable maneuvers. Observing these changes offers a valuable window into understanding the evolution of Japanese society.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 成句 (Seiku) - Fixed expression or cliché.
• ことわざ (Kotowaza) - Proverb or popular saying.
• ことばのいみ (Kotoba no imi) - Meaning of a word.
• ことばのことわざ (Kotoba no kotowaza) - Proverbs related to words.
• ことばのせいじゅく (Kotoba no seijuku) - Maturity or development of a word.
• ことばのせいじゅくご (Kotoba no seijukugo) - Words that have become mature or evolved.
• せいじゅく (Seijuku) - Maturity or improvement.
• じゅくじゅ (Jukuju) - Expression of matured words.
• じゅくじゅく (Jukuju) - Conditions of being very mature or developing a larger idea.
• じゅくじゅくご (Jukuju-go) - Words that are very mature or complex.
• じゅくじゅくことば (Jukuju kotoba) - Words that were greatly developed or refined.
• じゅくじゅくことわざ (Jukuju kotowaza) - Proverbs that have gained great depth or maturity.
• じゅくじゅくせいじゅく (Jukuju seijuku) - Deep or complex maturity.
• じゅくじゅくせいじゅくご (Jukuju seijukugo) - Words that have reached a deep level of maturity.
• じゅくじゅくのことば (Jukuju no kotoba) - Words that are deeply matured.

熟語

Romaji: jyukugo
Kana: じゅくご
Type: Noun
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: language; idiom phrase; Kanji compound

Meaning in English: idiom;idiomatic phrase;kanji compound

Definition: A word that consists of two or more kanji.

Example Sentences - (熟語) jyukugo

See below some example sentences:

熟語を覚えるのは日本語学習の基本です。

Jukugo wo oboeru no wa nihongo gakushuu no kihon desu

Learning idioms is fundamental to learning Japanese.

It's the basics of learning Japanese to learn idioms.

• 熟語 - jukugo - Japanese compound words
• を - wo - object particle
• 覚える - oboeru - memorize, remember
• のは - no wa - Topic particle
• 日本語 - nihongo - Japanese language
• 学習 - gakushuu - Study, learning
• の - Não Possession particle
• 基本 - kihon - basic, fundamental
• です - is (a Japanese copula, often used to indicate a state of being) verb to be, to stay