English–Japanese

“literary language” in Japanese

Japanese

Pronunciation

Romajibungo

Example

授業で文語を学びます。ju gyō de bun go o mana bi ma su

I study literary language in class.

Illustration for 文語 (literary language)

How to say “literary language” in Japanese

“Literary language” in Japanese is 文語 (bungo).

It marks a written style whose wording and grammar can differ from everyday speech.

Full entry for 文語: usage tips, similar words and word origin

Example sentences with 文語

この作品は、文語で書かれているため、少し硬く感じます。ko no saku hin wa bun go de ka ka re te i ru ta me suko shi kata ku kan ji ma su

Because this work is written in literary language, it feels a little formal.

Tips for using 文語

  • Japanese grammar books use 文語 (bungo) for the language of classical texts, where forms may differ from those found in modern conversational Japanese.

“literary language” in other languages