noun
Refers to the language or languages treated as belonging to or representing a country. In context, this can overlap with official-language or language-policy discussions, but it is not always identical to 法定の公用語.
その国では、複数の言語が国語として認められている。
In that country, multiple languages are recognized as national languages.
noun
Japanese language; Japanese as a school subject
In Japan, 国語 commonly means the Japanese language as taught at school, including reading, writing, kanji, grammar, and literature. This sense is strongly associated with school timetables, classes, tests, and textbooks.
See also: 国語科
国語の授業で『走れメロス』を読んだ。
We read Run, Melos! in Japanese class.
明日は国語のテストがある。
I have a Japanese-language test tomorrow.
noun
one's native language; mother tongue
Used for the language one naturally belongs to or grew up with, especially in more formal or older-sounding contexts. In modern everyday Japanese, 母語 or 母国語 is usually clearer for an individual's native language.
長く外国に住んでいても、彼は国語を忘れなかった。
Even after living abroad for a long time, he did not forget his mother tongue.
noun
native Japanese words; Yamato words
A specialized or older use meaning native Japanese vocabulary, contrasted with 漢語 and 外来語. The usual modern linguistic term for this is 和語.
古い分類では、「山」や「川」を国語、「電話」を漢語と呼ぶことがある。
In older classifications, words such as 山 and 川 may be called native Japanese words, while 電話 is called a Sino-Japanese word.