Japanese word

言葉

Pronunciation

Romajikotoba

Meaning

  • nounword

Example

この言葉の意味は何ですか。ko no koto ba no i mi wa nan de su ka

What does this word mean?

Illustration for 言葉 (word)

More examples

この言葉を覚えます。ko no koto ba o obo e ma su

I memorize this word.

難しいことは簡単な言葉で説明します。muzuka shi i ko to wa kan tan na koto ba de setsu mei shi ma su

I explain difficult things in simple words.

Core concept

Refers to a meaningful unit of speech or writing, while also extending to the language and expressions used to communicate.

Common phrases

  • 言葉の意味koto ba no i mi

    meaning of a word

  • 言葉を選ぶkoto ba o era bu

    choose one's words

  • 言葉にするkoto ba ni su ru

    put into words

Similar words

語go: A word viewed as a basic element of a language system.
単語tango: A single word that forms one item in a language vocabulary.

Definition in Japanese

考えや気持ちを伝える音声や文字、また、その表現や言語。kanga e ya ki mo chi o tsuta e ru on sei ya moji ma ta so no hyō gen ya gen go

Word origin

言葉 (kotoba) is a native Japanese word whose modern spelling uses 言 (koto, "words") and 葉 (ha, "leaf"), recalling 言の葉 (koto no ha, "leaves of words").

Usage tips

  • Japanese uses 言葉 (kotoba) for both an individual word and a language system, which explains why it appears in contexts where English uses word or language.

Other meanings

  • languagenoun
  • expressionnoun

Word lists with this word