Translation and Meaning of: 語 - go

The Japanese word 語[ご] is a fundamental element in the study of the language, appearing in various contexts and combinations. If you've ever wondered about its meaning, origin, or how to use it correctly, this article will clarify these doubts. Let's explore from its etymology to practical examples, including tips for memorization and cultural curiosities. Whether you are a Japanese language student or just a curious individual, understanding 語[ご] can enrich your knowledge of the Japanese language.

Meaning and usage of 語[ご]

The kanji 語, read as "go", means "word", "language", or "speech". It is often used as a suffix in terms related to languages, such as 日本語 (nihongo - Japanese language) or 英語 (eigo - English language). This construction is essential for those studying Japanese, as it appears in everyday vocabulary and academic contexts.

In addition to indicating languages, 語[ご] can also be part of words that refer to specific forms of communication. For example, 会話語 (kaiwago) means "conversational language," while 古語 (kogo) refers to "archaic terms." This versatility makes the kanji one of the most useful for expanding vocabulary in Japanese.

Origin and composition of the kanji 語

The kanji 語 is composed of two main elements: the radical 言 (gen - "speech") on the left side, which indicates its relation to language, and 吾 (go) on the right side, which functions as a phonetic component. This structure is common in many kanjis, where a radical provides the general idea and another part suggests the pronunciation.

Historically, 語 emerged in ancient China and was adapted for Japanese, retaining its original meaning. Interestingly, in modern Chinese, the pronunciation is similar ("yu"), showing how Asian languages share roots. In Japan, the kanji is taught even in elementary school, reinforcing its importance in daily life.

Tips for memorizing and using 語[ご]

An effective way to remember 語[ご] is to associate it with words you already know, like "nihongo" or "eigo". Repeating these words out loud helps to reinforce both the meaning and pronunciation. Another tip is to practice writing the kanji multiple times, paying attention to the stroke order and the position of the radical 言.

For those who use apps like Anki, creating cards with examples like 外国語 (gaikokugo - foreign language) or 母語 (bogo - native language) can accelerate learning. These combinations are common in proficiency tests like the JLPT, especially at levels N4 and N3. The more you encounter 語[ご] in real contexts, the more natural its use will become.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 言葉 (kotoba) - Word, expression
• 言語 (gengo) - Language, tongue
• 言論 (genron) - Speech, debate
• 語彙 (goi) - Vocabulary, set of words
• 語句 (goku) - Phrase, specific expression
• 語源 (gogen) - Origin of words
• 語学 (gogaku) - Language study
• 語尾 (gobi) - Word endings
• 語感 (gokan) - Linguistic intuition
• 語気 (goki) - Tone or attitude in speech
• 語形 (gokei) - Shape of words
• 語調 (gochou) - Intonation, rhythm in speech
• 語脈 (gomyaku) - Context of the words
• 語録 ( goroku) - Record of words or speeches

語

Romaji: go
Kana: ご
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: language; word

Meaning in English: language;word

Definition: Words used to express meaning or content.

Example Sentences - (語) go

See below some example sentences:

神話は古代の人々の信仰や文化を伝える大切な物語です。

Shinwa wa kodai no hitobito no shinkō ya bunka o tsutaeru taisetsu na monogatari desu

Myth is an important story that conveys the religion and culture of ancient people.

• 神話 - Myth
• は - Topic particle
• 古代 - Antique
• の - Possession particle
• 人々 - people
• の - Possession particle
• 信仰 - Faith
• や - enumeration particle
• 文化 - culture
• を - object particle
• 伝える - transmit
• 大切 - important
• な - Suffix indicating adjective
• 物語 - history
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

私は日本語を教えることができます。

Watashi wa nihongo wo oshieru koto ga dekimasu

I can teach Japanese.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 日本語 (nihongo) - Japanese language
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 教える (oshieru) - verb that means "teach"
• ことができます (koto ga dekimasu) - expression that indicates the ability or possibility of doing something

私は専ら日本語を勉強しています。

Watashi wa mattaku nihongo o benkyou shiteimasu

I am studying Japanese exclusively.

I am studying Japanese exclusively.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 専ら (senra) - adverb meaning "exclusively"
• 日本語 (nihongo) - noun meaning "Japanese" (language)
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 勉強しています (benkyou shiteimasu) - compound verb meaning "I am studying"

私は日本語を習っています。

Watashi wa Nihongo wo naratteimasu

I'm learning Japanese.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 日本語 (nihongo) - noun meaning "Japanese" or "Japanese language"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 習っています (naratteimasu) - verb meaning "I'm learning"

私は日本語の級を受けたいです。

Watashi wa Nihongo no kyuu wo uketai desu

I want to take a Japanese course.

I want to receive a Japanese class.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 日本語 (nihongo) - noun meaning "Japanese" or "Japanese language"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between nouns
• 級 (kyuu) - noun that means "level" or "class"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 受けたい (uketai) - verb in the desiderative form that means "to want to do" or "to wish to receive"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of the sentence

私は日本語を話すことができます。

Watashi wa nihongo o hanasu koto ga dekimasu

I can speak Japanese.

I can speak Japanese.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 日本語 (nihongo) - noun meaning "Japanese" or "Japanese language"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 話す (hanasu) - verb meaning "to talk" or "to converse"
• こと (koto) - noun indicating an abstract action or event
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できます (dekimasu) - verb meaning "to be able to" or "to be able to"

私は片言の日本語しか話せません。

Watashi wa katagoto no nihongo shika hanasemasen

I can only speak a single Japanese word.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 片言 (katanaga) - noun that means "limited speech"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between words
• 日本語 (nihongo) - noun meaning "Japanese"
• しか (shika) - particle that indicates exclusion or limitation
• 話せません (hanasemasen) - verb that means "I can't speak"

私は大学で日本語を勉強しています。

Watashi wa daigaku de nihongo wo benkyou shiteimasu

I'm studying Japanese at the university.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence, indicating that the subject is "I"
• 大学 (daigaku) - noun meaning "university"
• で (de) - particle that indicates the location where the action takes place, in this case, "at the university"
• 日本語 (nihongo) - noun meaning "Japanese"
• を (wo) - particle that marks the direct object of the sentence, indicating that "japanese" is the object of the action
• 勉強しています (benkyou shiteimasu) - verb meaning "to study" conjugated in the present continuous, indicating that the action is ongoing

私はしょっちゅう日本語を勉強しています。

Watashi wa shocchuu nihongo wo benkyou shiteimasu

I'm always studying Japanese.

I often study Japanese.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• しょっちゅう (shocchuu) - adverb meaning "always"
• 日本語 (nihongo) - noun meaning "Japanese" (language)
• を (wo) - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• 勉強しています (benkyou shiteimasu) - compound verb meaning "I am studying"

私の語彙はまだまだです。

Watashi no goi wa mada mada desu

My vocabulary is still insufficient.

My vocabulary is still far away.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - Japanese particle indicating possession or relationship between two things
• 語彙 - Japanese noun meaning "vocabulary"
• は - Japanese particle indicating the subject of the sentence
• まだまだ - Japanese expression that means "still not enough" or "still have a lot to improve"
• です - Japanese verb that indicates "to be" or "to exist" (in this case, it is in the present tense and is used for formality)