語 源(ごげん)

ごげん

noun

etymology, word origin

1. etymology, origin of a word

The historical origin and development of a word, or the study of such origins. Used when discussing where words come from and how their meanings have evolved.

この言葉(ことば)の語源(ごげん)は何(なん)ですか。

What is the etymology of this word?

「サボる」の語源(ごげん)はフランス語(ご)だと言(い)われている。

The word 'saboru' is said to have its origin in French.

語源(ごげん)をたどると、意外(いがい)な歴史(れきし)が見(み)えてくることがある。

When you trace a word's etymology, you can sometimes discover surprising history.

Usage

語源(ごげん) is used both in academic linguistics and casual conversation about word origins. Japanese people are often interested in the origins of everyday words, so this term appears frequently in quiz shows, books, and online articles.

Common collocations

語源(ごげん)をたどる: to trace the etymology
語源(ごげん)を調(しら)べる: to look up the etymology
語源(ごげん)辞典(じてん): etymological dictionary
語源(ごげん)は〜に由来(ゆらい)する: the origin derives from ~
語源(ごげん)的(てき)に: etymologically

Related Words

Related: 語彙(ごい) (vocabulary)

Related: 言葉(ことば) (word, language)

Compare: 語義(ごぎ) (word meaning)

Compare: 派生語(はせいご) (derived word)

general

Added 2026.2.28 12:05 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

14000/14215_gogen