Japanese kanji 語: language and words

The idea

A kanji can have Japanese-origin readings (kun) and readings borrowed through Chinese (on); learn each reading with its word. Compare 日本語（にほんご） and 英語（えいご） in the table. 語 has 14 strokes; follow their order in the linked KanjiVG diagram.

Examples

• 日本語にほんごで名前なまえを書かきます。I write my name in Japanese.
• 友達ともだちと英語えいごで話はなします。I speak English with a friend.
• 新あたらしい単語たんごをノートに書かきます。I write new words in my notebook.
• 日本語にほんごの本ほんを図書館としょかんで読よみます。I read a Japanese book at the library.
• 父ちちは外国語がいこくごを勉強べんきょうします。My father studies a foreign language.
• 子供こどもに物語ものがたりを読よみます。I read a story to a child.

Watch out

日本語 is read にほんご, while 英語 is read えいご. Learn the reading of each complete word; the character does not have just one pronunciation. In 日本語 and 英語, 語 is ご. In 物語 it is part of the reading がたり; learn the whole word.

Try it yourself

1. Write the reading of 日本語 in hiragana.

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   にほんご

   日本語 is read にほんご; the expression means “Japanese language”.

2. Write the reading of 英語 in hiragana.

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   えいご

   英語 is read えいご; the expression means “English language”.

3. Fill in the missing kanji: 英＿（えいご）.

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   語

   語 completes 英語, read えいご; the expression means “English language”.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 語 from memory, and read 日本語 and 英語 aloud. Check both the readings and meanings.