Japanese word

単語

Pronunciation

Romajitango

Meaning

  • nounword

Example

この単語の意味が分かります。ko no tan go no i mi ga wa ka ri ma su

I understand the meaning of this word.

Illustration for 単語 (word)

More examples

この単語をノートに書きます。ko no tan go o nō to ni ka ki ma su

I will write this word in my notebook.

分からない単語は辞書で調べます。wa ka ra na i tan go wa ji sho de shira be ma su

I look up unfamiliar words in a dictionary.

Core concept

Points to one meaningful piece of language that functions as a unit in a sentence or as an item in a person's vocabulary.

Common phrases

  • 単語の意味tan go no i mi

    the meaning of a word

  • 単語を調べるtan go o shira be ru

    look up a word

  • 単語を覚えるtan go o obo e ru

    memorize a word

  • 単語の使い方tan go no tsuka i kata

    how to use a word

Similar words

言葉kotoba: A word or expression used to convey meaning in speech or writing.
語go: A word considered as a linguistic unit, often in formal or academic descriptions.

Definition in Japanese

文や句を構成する、一定の意味を持つ一まとまりの言葉。bun ya ku o kō sei su ru it tei no i mi o mo tsu hito ma to ma ri no koto ba

Word origin

単語 (tango) is formed from 単 (tan, "single") and 語 (go, "word"), so its structure presents a word as a single unit.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese language learning, 単語 (tango) often refers to the individual vocabulary items studied apart from grammar and pronunciation.

Other meanings

  • vocabularynoun

Word lists with this word