1.
native Japanese word, yamato kotoba
A word of native Japanese origin, as opposed to words borrowed from Chinese (漢語) or other languages (外来語). Also called 大和言葉 (yamato kotoba).
「山」や「川」は和語だ。
'Yama' (mountain) and 'kawa' (river) are native Japanese words.
和語は漢語に比べて柔らかい響きがある。
Native Japanese words have a softer sound compared to Sino-Japanese words.
日本語の語彙は和語、漢語、外来語の三つに大きく分けられ、それぞれが異なる特徴を持っている。
Japanese vocabulary is broadly divided into three categories — native words, Sino-Japanese words, and loanwords — each with distinct characteristics.
USAGE:
A linguistic term used when discussing the origins and layers of Japanese vocabulary. Japanese vocabulary is traditionally classified into three categories: 和語 (native Japanese), 漢語 (Sino-Japanese, borrowed from Chinese), and 外来語 (loanwords from other languages). 和語 is also called 大和言葉.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS:
和語 tends to sound softer and more emotional than 漢語. Many basic, everyday words are 和語: 食べる (to eat), 歩く (to walk), 美しい (beautiful). Kanji used for 和語 are read with 訓読み (native readings).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 和語の読み: native Japanese reading
- 和語と漢語: native and Sino-Japanese words
- 大和言葉: yamato kotoba (synonym)