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:

書き取りは日本語の勉強にとても役立ちます。

Kakitori wa nihongo no benkyou ni totemo yakudachimasu

Writing is very useful for studying Japanese.

Writing is very useful for studying Japanese.

• 書き取り - WRITING
• は - Topic particle
• 日本語 - Japanese language
• の - Possession particle
• 勉強 - study
• に - target particle
• とても - very
• 役立ちます - To be useful

文語を学ぶことは日本語を深く理解するために重要です。

Bungo wo manabu koto wa Nihongo wo fukaku rikai suru tame ni juuyou desu

Learning Bungo is important for understanding Japanese deeply.

Learning phrases are important for deep understanding of Japanese.

• 文語 - It means "written language" or "classical Japanese".
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action.
• 学ぶ - verb that means "study" or "learn".
• こと - Noun meaning "thing" or "fact".
• は - Particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 日本語 - It means "Japanese".
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action.
• 深く - adverb that means "deeply".
• 理解する - verb that means "to understand" or "to comprehend".
• ために - expression that means "for" or "in order to".
• 重要です - adjective that means "important".

彼女の日本語能力は高い程度だ。

Kanojo no nihongo nouryoku wa takai teido da

Your proficiency in the Japanese language is at a high level.

Your Japanese skill is high.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - She
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 日本語 (nihongo) - Japanese language
• 能力 (nouryoku) - Skill, capacity
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 高い (takai) - High
• 程度 (teido) - Grade, level
• だ (da) - Informal form of the verb ser

助詞は日本語の文法に欠かせない要素です。

Joshi wa nihongo no bunpou ni kakasenai youso desu

Particles are an essential element in Japanese grammar.

Athletic is an indispensable factor in Japanese grammar.

• 助詞 (joshi) - particle
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 日本語 (nihongo) - Japanese language
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 文法 (bunpou) - grammar
• に (ni) - Location particle
• 欠かせない (kakasenai) - indispensable
• 要素 (yousou) - element
• です (desu) - Verb "to be"

仮名遣いは日本語の重要な要素です。

Kanazukai wa nihongo no juuyou na youso desu

Japanese spelling is an important element of the Japanese language.

The passive noun is an important factor in Japanese.

• 仮名遣い (kana-yomi) - the Japanese writing system that uses syllabic characters (hiragana and katakana) to represent sounds and ideograms (kanji) to represent words
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 日本語 (nihongo) - Japanese language
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 要素 (yousou) - element, component
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

この物語はまだ続きがある。

Kono monogatari wa mada tsuzuki ga aru

This story still continues.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 物語 - noun "story"
• は - Topic particle
• まだ - adverb "yet"
• 続き - noun "continuation"
• が - subject particle
• ある - verb "to exist"

この文章を英語に訳す必要があります。

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"

この語句は意味が深いです。

Kono goku wa imi ga fukai desu

This phrase has a deep meaning.

This sentence is significant.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 語句 - noun meaning "words and phrases"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 意味 - noun meaning "significance"
• が - subject particle that indicates who performs the action
• 深い - adjective meaning "deep"
• です - verb to be in the polite form

主語は文の中で最も重要な役割を果たします。

Shugo wa bun no naka de mottomo juuyou na yakuwari o hatashimasu

The subject plays the most important role in the sentence.

• 主語 (shujo) - subject
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 文 (bun) - sentence
• の中で (no naka de) - Inside of
• 最も (mottomo) - more, the most
• 重要な (juuyouna) - important
• 役割 (yakuwari) - Paper, function
• を果たします (wo hatashimasu) - perform, fulfill

五十音は日本語の基本的な音の組み合わせを表します。

Gojūon wa nihongo no kihonteki na oto no kumiawase o hyō shimasu

The 1950s indicate the basic combination of the Japanese sound.

• 五十音 - means "fifty sounds" and refers to the set of Japanese characters used to represent sounds and syllables.
• 日本語 - means "Japanese language".
• 基本的な - means "basic" or "fundamental".
• 音 - means "sound" or "musical note".
• 組み合わせ - means "combination" or "arrangement".
• 表します - means "represents" or "shows".