noun
indeclinable function word; particle; auxiliary; discourse marker
Linguistics term for words that do not inflect and serve grammatical or discourse functions, such as particles, auxiliaries, and discourse markers. Not a common everyday word.
日本語の「は」や「が」は小詞に分類される。
Japanese 'wa' and 'ga' are classified as indeclinable function words.
小詞には助詞や助動詞などが含まれる。
Indeclinable function words include particles, auxiliary verbs, and the like.
Compound of 小 (small, minor) and 詞 (word, part of speech), likely a calque or translation of a Western linguistic term such as 'particle' or 'indeclinable'. The exact origin is uncertain.