標準語(ひょうじゅんご)

ひょうじゅんご
noun
standard language; standard Japanese
1. standard language; standard Japanese
The form of Japanese based primarily on Tokyo dialect that is used in education, media, and official contexts. It serves as the common language understood across all regions of Japan.
NHKのアナウンサーは標準語(ひょうじゅんご)で話(はな)す。
NHK announcers speak in standard Japanese.
学校(がっこう)では標準語(ひょうじゅんご)を教(おし)える。
Standard Japanese is taught in schools.
彼(かれ)は普段(ふだん)は方言(ほうげん)だが、仕事(しごと)では標準語(ひょうじゅんご)を使(つか)う。
He normally speaks in dialect, but uses standard Japanese at work.

KANJI BREAKDOWN:

  • 標準(ひょうじゅん) - standard
  • 語(ご) - language

HISTORY:
標準語(ひょうじゅんご) was established during the Meiji era to unify the country linguistically. It's based primarily on the Tokyo dialect with some modifications.

RELATED TERMS:

  • 共通語(きょうつうご) - common language (often used interchangeably)
  • 東京弁(とうきょうべん) - Tokyo dialect (similar but not identical)
  • 方言(ほうげん) - dialect (contrasting term)

USAGE CONTEXT:

標準語(ひょうじゅんご) is used in:

  • 教育(きょういく) - education
  • 放送(ほうそう) - broadcasting
  • 公式(こうしき)な場面(ばめん) - official settings
  • {ビジネス} - business

CULTURAL NOTE:
Many Japanese speakers are bidialectal, using their local dialect (方言(ほうげん)) in informal settings and 標準語(ひょうじゅんご) in formal contexts. This code-switching is a normal part of Japanese linguistic behavior.

REGISTER:
Neutral. Standard term used in both academic and everyday contexts.

Related Words

Contrast: 方言(ほうげん) (dialect)
general
Added 2026.1.19 17:13 · Revised 2026.1.24 23:24
07000/07421_hyoujungo