和語
Meanings
1
A less usual or older/formal way to refer to the Japanese language itself; in ordinary modern Japanese, 日本語 is the standard word.
See also: 日本語
In old texts, 和語 is sometimes used to mean the Japanese language.
2
wago; native Japanese word
Linguistic term for words of native Japanese origin, contrasted with 漢語 Chinese-derived words and 外来語 loanwords.
Yama, kawa, and miru are examples of native Japanese words.
In this class, we classify words into native Japanese words, Sino-Japanese words, and loanwords.
Usage patterns
- 〈言葉〉を和語に言い換えるto rephrase a word using native Japanese vocabulary
If you rephrase "開始する" using native Japanese vocabulary, it becomes "始める."
- 〈言葉〉は和語だto say that a word is a native Japanese word
Words like "yama" and "kawa" are native Japanese words.