文語(ぶんご)

ぶんご
noun
literary language, classical Japanese
academiclanguage
1. literary language, written language
Language used in formal writing as opposed to spoken language. In Japanese linguistics, refers specifically to the classical written style based on pre-modern grammar.
文語(ぶんご)と口語(こうご)は大(おお)きく異(こと)なる。
Literary language and spoken language differ greatly.
この表現(ひょうげん)は文語(ぶんご)的(てき)で、日常(にちじょう)会話(かいわ)では使(つか)わない。
This expression is literary and is not used in everyday conversation.
古典(こてん)を読(よ)むためには文語(ぶんご)文法(ぶんぽう)の知識(ちしき)が必要(ひつよう)だ。
Knowledge of classical grammar is necessary to read the classics.

Usage

In Japanese linguistics, 文語(ぶんご) specifically refers to the classical written language (文語体(ぶんごたい)) based on Heian-period grammar, as distinct from modern colloquial Japanese (口語(こうご)/口語体(こうごたい)). The contrast 文語(ぶんご) vs. 口語(こうご) is fundamental in Japanese language education.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 口語(こうご): spoken/colloquial language (antonym)
  • 古語(こご): archaic word, old Japanese
  • 書き{言葉(ことば)|かきことば}: written language (everyday term)

Related Words

Antonym: 口語(こうご) (spoken language)
Compare: 古語(こご) (archaic word, old Japanese)
Compare: 書(か)き言葉(ことば) (written language)
general
Added 2026.2.23 14:10 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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