Japanese word

中国語

Pronunciation

Romajichūgokugo

Meaning

  • nounChinese

Example

毎日中国語を勉強します。mai nichi chū goku go o ben kyō shi ma su

I study Chinese every day.

Illustration for 中国語 (Chinese)

More examples

中国語で簡単な買い物の会話ができます。chū goku go de kan tan na ka i mono no kai wa ga de ki ma su

I can have simple conversations in Chinese while shopping.

Core concept

Refers to the spoken and written language associated with China.

Common phrases

  • 中国語を勉強するchū goku go o ben kyō su ru

    study Chinese

  • 中国語で話すchū goku go de hana su

    speak in Chinese

  • 中国語の先生chū goku go no sen sei

    Chinese teacher

Definition in Japanese

中国を中心に使われる言語。chū goku o chū shin ni tsuka wa re ru gen go

Word origin

中国語 (chūgokugo) is formed from 中 (chū, "middle") and 国 (koku, "country"), meaning China, plus 語 (go, "language").

Usage tips

  • English uses Chinese for both the language and people or culture from China, but 中国語 (chūgokugo) identifies the language specifically.

Word lists with this word