国 語(こくご)

こくご

noun

national language, Japanese (subject)

communication education geography

1. national language

The official language of a country.

日本(にほん)の国語(こくご)は日本語(にほんご)だ。

Japan's national language is Japanese.

その国(くに)には二(ふた)つの国語(こくご)がある。

That country has two national languages.

カナダでは英語(えいご)とフランス語(ご)の二(ふた)つが国語(こくご)として定(さだ)められている。

In Canada, English and French are established as the two national languages.

2. Japanese (school subject)

The subject of Japanese language arts in school.

国語(こくご)の授業(じゅぎょう)

Japanese language class.

国語(こくご)辞典(じてん)

Japanese dictionary (monolingual).

国語(こくご)が得意(とくい)だ。

I'm good at Japanese (subject).

国語(こくご) means "national language." In Japan, this specifically refers to the Japanese language, especially as a school subject.

Compounds

国語(こくご)辞典(じてん): Japanese-language dictionary
国語(こくご)の教科書(きょうかしょ): Japanese textbook
国語(こくご)の授業(じゅぎょう): Japanese language class
国語(こくご)力(りょく): Japanese language ability

Cultural note

国語(こくご) is one of the core subjects in Japanese education, covering reading, writing, grammar, and literature. It is equivalent to "Language Arts" or "English" class in English-speaking countries.

Similar words

国語(こくご): Japanese as a native language/school subject
日本語(にほんご): Japanese language (used when talking about it as a foreign language or linguistically)
英語(えいご): English (as a school subject: 英語(えいご)の授業(じゅぎょう))

Related Words

Compare: 日本語(にほんご) (Japanese (as foreign language))

Related: 言語(げんご) (language (academic))

Compare: 英語(えいご) (English (as a school subject)

Compare: 公用語(こうようご) (official language)

Related: 日本語教育(にほんごきょういく) (Japanese language education)

Related: 地理(ちり) (geography)

Related: 理科(りか) (science (school subject))

general

Added 2026.1.11 16:29 · Revised 2026.10.7 4:24

02500/02739_kokugo