1.
Sino-Japanese word, Chinese-origin vocabulary
A word of Chinese origin in the Japanese language, typically written in kanji and read with on'yomi (Chinese-derived readings). One of the three main vocabulary strata in Japanese, alongside wago (native Japanese) and gairaigo (Western loanwords).
「図書館」は漢語だ。
"Toshokan" (library) is a Sino-Japanese word.
日本語の語彙の多くは漢語が占めている。
A large portion of Japanese vocabulary consists of Sino-Japanese words.
論文や公文書では和語よりも漢語が多く使われる傾向がある。
In academic papers and official documents, Sino-Japanese words tend to be used more than native Japanese words.
USAGE:
A linguistics term used in discussions of Japanese vocabulary composition. Japanese vocabulary is traditionally divided into three strata: 和語 (native Japanese words), 漢語 (Sino-Japanese words), and 外来語 (loanwords from Western languages). 漢語 makes up roughly 50% of dictionary headwords in Japanese.
漢語 words are typically read with 音読み (on'yomi, Chinese-derived readings) and tend to sound more formal or academic than their 和語 equivalents.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 漢語由来: of Sino-Japanese origin
- 和語と漢語: native words and Sino-Japanese words
- 漢語表現: Sino-Japanese expression