公用語(こうようご)

こうようご
noun
official language
communication
1. official language
A language designated for use in government, law, and official business of a country or region. A country may have one or multiple official languages.
英語(えいご)は公用語(こうようご)の一(ひと)つだ。
English is one of the official languages.
この国(くに)には公用語(こうようご)が四(よっ)つある。
This country has four official languages.
The United Nations has six official languages, including English, French, and Chinese.

Japan has no legally designated 公用語(こうようご) — Japanese is the de facto national language but is not formally codified as the official language in the constitution.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 公用語(こうようご): official language (legally designated for government use)
  • 国語(こくご): national language (the language of a nation, also the school subject)
  • 母語(ぼご): mother tongue, native language