Translation guide
How to talk about one's native language or mother tongue in Japanese.
The language a person learned from birth or speaks most naturally.
Literally 'mother tongue'. The most direct and common term for one's native language.
私の母語は日本語です。
My native language is Japanese.
How to ask what someone's native language is.
Talking about native-level fluency or being a native speaker.
母語 (ぼご) focuses on the language learned from one's mother or in early childhood, while 母国語 (ぼこくご) emphasizes the language of one's home country. They are often interchangeable, but 母語 is more common for personal language identity.
In casual conversation, ネイティブ is often used as a noun or adjective. For example, ネイティブみたいに話す (speak like a native). It's widely understood and less formal than 母語話者.
Language of one's mother country. Often used interchangeably with 母語, but emphasizes the country rather than the mother.
彼の母国語はスペイン語だ。
His native language is Spanish.
Literally 'language from birth'. A more descriptive phrase, less common in everyday speech.
生まれつきの言語が二つある人もいる。
Some people have two native languages.
Similar to above, using 母国語.
母国語は何ですか？
What is your native language?
Loanword from English 'native speaker'. Very common in Japanese.
彼は英語のネイティブスピーカーです。
He is a native speaker of English.
Shortened form of ネイティブスピーカー, used casually.
あの人、日本語ネイティブだよね。
That person is a native Japanese speaker, right?
Formal term for 'native speaker', often used in academic contexts.
この研究では母語話者と学習者を比較した。
This study compared native speakers and learners.