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」は古語だ。
'Ito okashi' is an archaic expression.
この言葉は古語なので、今ではほとんど使われない。
This word is archaic, so it is hardly ever used anymore.
古語の意味を調べるには古語辞典が便利だ。
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.
高校で古語を習う。
We study classical Japanese in high school.
古語の文法は現代語とかなり違う。
Classical Japanese grammar is quite different from modern Japanese.
古語を学ぶと、古典文学を原文で読む楽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 is studied as part of the 国語 (Japanese language) curriculum, primarily at the high school level. Students learn to read classical texts like 源氏物語 and 枕草子.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 古語辞典: classical Japanese dictionary
- 古語の文法: classical grammar
- 古語の意味: meaning of an archaic word
SIMILAR WORDS:
古語 refers specifically to old words or classical language. 古典 means "classics" and refers to classical works of literature. 古文 means "classical text" and overlaps with 古語 in school contexts but emphasizes the written texts themselves.