漢 語(かんご)

かんご

noun

Sino-Japanese word, kango

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(としょかん)」は漢語(かんご)だ。

"Toshokan" (library) is a Sino-Japanese word.

日本語(にほんご)の語彙(ごい)の多(おお)くは漢語(かんご)が占(し)めている。

A large portion of Japanese vocabulary consists of Sino-Japanese words.

論文(ろんぶん)や公文書(こうぶんしょ)では和語(わご)よりも漢語(かんご)が多(おお)く使(つか)われる傾向(けいこう)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(わご) (native Japanese words), 漢語(かんご) (Sino-Japanese words), and 外来語(がいらいご) (loanwords from Western languages). 漢語(かんご) makes up roughly 50% of dictionary headwords in Japanese.

漢語(かんご) words are typically read with 音読(おんよ)み (on'yomi, Chinese-derived readings) and tend to sound more formal or academic than their 和語(わご) equivalents.

Common collocations

漢語(かんご)由来(ゆらい): of Sino-Japanese origin
和語(わご)と漢語(かんご): native words and Sino-Japanese words
漢語(かんご)表現(ひょうげん): Sino-Japanese expression

Related Words

Homophone: 看護(かんご) (nursing, care)

Compare: 和語(わご) (native Japanese word)

Compare: 外来語(がいらいご) (loanword)

general

Added 2026.2.24 21:44 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

13000/13439_kango