1.
native Japanese words; words of Japanese origin
Words that originated in the Japanese language before the introduction of Chinese loanwords (漢語) and Western loanwords (外来語). Also called 和語. These words are typically read with kun'yomi when written in kanji.
「花」は大和言葉だ。
"Hana" (flower) is a native Japanese word.
大和言葉には柔らかい響きがある。
Native Japanese words have a soft ring to them.
日本語の語彙は大和言葉、漢語、外来語の3つに大きく分けられる。
Japanese vocabulary is broadly divided into three categories: native Japanese words, Sino-Japanese words, and foreign loanwords.
USAGE NOTES:
大和言葉 (also written 和語) refers to the indigenous vocabulary of Japanese, as distinct from 漢語 (Sino-Japanese words borrowed from Chinese) and 外来語 (Western loanwords).
Examples of 大和言葉:
- 山 (mountain), 川 (river), 空 (sky)
- 美しい (beautiful), 嬉しい (happy)
- 食べる (to eat), 歩く (to walk)
大和言葉 tends to convey softer, more emotional nuances compared to 漢語, which often sounds more formal or technical. For instance, 思いやり (大和言葉) vs 配慮 (漢語) — both mean consideration/thoughtfulness, but the native word feels warmer.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 大和言葉の美しさ (the beauty of native Japanese words)
- 大和言葉で表現する (express in native Japanese words)