古語(こご)

こご
noun
archaic word; classical language
language
1. archaic word, old word
A word or expression that was used in older forms of Japanese but is no longer commonly used in modern speech.
「いとをかし」は古語(こご)だ。
'Ito okashi' is an archaic expression.
この言葉(ことば)は古語(こご)なので、今(いま)ではほとんど使(つか)われない。
This word is archaic, so it is hardly ever used anymore.
古語(こご)の意味(いみ)を調(しら)べるには古語(こご)辞典(じてん)が便利(べんり)だ。
A classical Japanese dictionary is useful for looking up the meanings of archaic words.
2. classical Japanese language
The classical form of Japanese as used in literature before the modern period, studied in Japanese schools as a subject.
高校(こうこう)で古語(こご)を習(なら)う。
We study classical Japanese in high school.
古語(こご)の文法(ぶんぽう)は現代語(げんだいご)とかなり違(ちが)う。
Classical Japanese grammar is quite different from modern Japanese.
古語(こご)を学(まな)ぶと、古典(こてん)文学(ぶんがく)を原文(げんぶん)で読(よ)む楽(たの)しさがわかるようになる。
When you study classical Japanese, you come to understand the joy of reading classical literature in the original.

Usage

In Japanese schools, 古語(こご) is studied as part of the 国語(こくご) (Japanese language) curriculum, primarily at the high school level. Students learn to read classical texts like 源氏物語(げんじものがたり) and 枕草子(まくらのそうし).

Common collocations

Similar words

古語(こご) refers specifically to old words or classical language. 古典(こてん) means "classics" and refers to classical works of literature. 古文(こぶん) means "classical text" and overlaps with 古語(こご) in school contexts but emphasizes the written texts themselves.

Related Words

Related: 古典(こてん) (classics, classical works)
Related: 古文(こぶん) (classical text)
Compare: 文語(ぶんご) (literary language, classical Japanese)
Compare: 廃語(はいご) (obsolete word)
general
Added 2026.2.20 13:29 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
12000/12065_kogo