Chinese word

日语

Pronunciation

Pinyinrì yǔ

Meaning

  • nounJapanese

Example

我会说日语。wǒ huì shuō rì yǔ

I can speak Japanese.

Illustration for 日语 (Japanese)

More examples

他在准备日语能力考试。tā zài zhǔn bèi rì yǔ néng lì kǎo shì

He is preparing for the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test.

Core concept

A shared verbal system that carries ideas between people in Japan and also belongs in the classroom.

Common phrases

  • 提高日语水平tí gāo rì yǔ shuǐ píng

    improve Japanese proficiency

  • 参加日语考试cān jiā rì yǔ kǎo shì

    take a Japanese exam

  • 看日语新闻kàn rì yǔ xīn wén

    watch Japanese news

Similar words

日文rì wén: Japanese as it appears in written words, texts, or characters.
日本语rì bén yǔ: A broad name for the complete Japanese language, including speech and writing.
日本话rì běn huà: The conversational form of Japanese used in speech.

Definition in Chinese

指在日本使用的语言，也可泛指作为学科或交流技能的日语能力。zhǐ zài rì běn shǐ yòng de yǔ yán yě kě fàn zhǐ zuò wéi xué kē huò jiāo liú jì néng de rì yǔ néng lì

Word origin

In 日语 (rìyǔ, "Japanese"), 日 (rì, "Japan") points to Japan rather than its everyday meanings "sun" or "day", while 语 (yǔ, "language") identifies the compound as a language name.

Usage tips

  • The first syllable has a falling tone and the second a low dipping tone; clear contrast between the two tones helps keep this word distinct from similar-sounding vocabulary.

Related words

  • 日语教材rì yǔ jiào cáiJapanese-language study materialsnoun
  • 日语专业rì yǔ zhuān yèJapanese majornoun

Word lists with this word