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:

私は短大で日本語を勉強しました。

Watashi wa tandaide nihongo o benkyō shimashita

I studied Japanese in technical college.

I studied Japanese at a junior college.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 短大 - abbreviation of "短期大学", which means "short-term college" in Japanese.
• で - particle that indicates the place where an action occurs, in this case "at the university"
• 日本語 - noun that means "Japanese" in Japanese
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case "studying Japanese"
• 勉強 - verb that means "to study" in Japanese
• しました - past form of the verb "する", which means "to do" in Japanese, indicating that the action of studying Japanese was completed in the past

私の課は日本語を勉強することです。

Watashi no ka wa nihongo wo benkyou suru koto desu

My section is to study Japanese.

• 私の課 (watashi no ka) - "my task"
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 日本語 (nihongo) - "Japanese"
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 勉強する (benkyou suru) - "study"
• こと (koto) - abstract noun indicating action or event
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

英語が話せますか？

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

行くは日本語で「いく」と言います。

Iku wa nihongo de "iku" to iimasu

I'm going to Japanese in Japanese.

• 行く (iku) - means "to go" in Japanese
• 日本語 (nihongo) - "日本語"
• で (de) - a particle that indicates the means or manner of doing something
• 「いく」(iku) - a pronúncia em japonês da palavra "ir" é "iku" (行く)
• 言います (iimasu) - significa "言う" em japonês.

証言は真実を語ることが重要です。

Shōgen wa shinjitsu o kataru koto ga jūyō desu

Witness is important to tell the truth.

It is important to talk about the truth in testimony.

• 証言 - Testimony
• は - Topic particle
• 真実 - truth
• を - Direct object particle
• 語る - Speak
• こと - nominalizing noun
• が - Subject particle
• 重要 - Important
• です - polite way of being

述語は文法の重要な要素です。

Shukugo wa bunpou no juuyou na youso desu

Presh is an important factor in grammar.

• 述語 - means "predicate" in Japanese and refers to the part of the sentence that expresses the action or state of the subject.
• 文法 - means "grammar" in Japanese and refers to the rules that govern the structure and use of language.
• 重要 - means "important" in Japanese and refers to the relevance of the predicate in Japanese grammar.
• 要素 - means "element" in Japanese and refers to the constituent parts of Japanese grammar, including the predicate.

送り仮名は日本語の文章で重要な役割を果たします。

Sorikana wa nihongo no bunsho de juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashimasu

The sending of Kana plays an important role in Japanese sentences.

• 送り仮名 - means "send kana", which are the characters added to Japanese words to indicate their correct pronunciation.
• 日本語 - means "Japanese language".
• 文章 - means "sentence" or "text".
• 重要 - means "important".
• 役割 - means "role" or "function".
• 果たします - is a verb that means "to fulfill" or "to execute".