国語(こくご)

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

COMMON 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

AS A SCHOOL SUBJECT:
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.

CONTRAST:

• 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))