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話し言葉 (はなしことば) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N1 Freq. Frequency Top 100,000 Meanings 1
noun
spoken language ; colloquial speech
Refers to language as it is naturally spoken, including colloquial expressions, contractions, and informal grammar. Often contrasted with 書き言葉 (written language).
See also: 書き言葉
この 教きょう 科か 書しょ は 話はな し 言こと 葉ば の 表ひょう 現げん を たくさん 紹しょう 介かい し て いる 。
This textbook introduces many colloquial expressions.
Written forms 話はな し 言こと 葉ば Usage 57%
Standard kanji spelling; the most common written form.
話はな しことば Usage 40%
Mixed kanji-kana spelling, sometimes used for clarity or in educational contexts.
話はなし 言こと 葉ば Usage 1%
Less common variant; the okurigana し is omitted.
はなしことば Usage 1%
Similar words 書か き 言こと 葉ば 書き言葉 is written language, often more formal and structured, while 話し言葉 is spoken, colloquial language.
口こう 語ご 口語 also means spoken language but is a more technical term, often used in linguistics. 話し言葉 is more common in everyday contexts.
Etymology Compound of 話し (hanashi, 'speaking', the continuative form of 話す) + 言葉 (kotoba, 'language, word').
