現代語(げんだいご)

げんだいご
noun
modern language; contemporary language
education
1. modern language; contemporary language
The form of a language as it is currently spoken and written, as opposed to classical or archaic forms. In Japanese studies, refers to modern Japanese as distinct from classical Japanese (古語).
この古典(こてん)を現代語(げんだいご)に訳(やく)した。
I translated this classic into modern language.
現代語(げんだいご)では使(つか)われなくなった表現(ひょうげん)も多(おお)い。
There are many expressions that are no longer used in modern language.
古文(こぶん)の授業(じゅぎょう)では、まず原文(げんぶん)を読(よ)んでから現代語(げんだいご)訳(やく)を確認(かくにん)する。
In classical literature class, we first read the original text and then check the modern language translation.

Usage

A compound of 現代(げんだい) (modern era) + 語(ご) (language). Most commonly encountered in the context of Japanese education, where students study 古文(こぶん) (classical texts) and translate them into 現代語(げんだいご). The term 現代語訳(げんだいごやく) (modern language translation) is especially common.

Common collocations

  • 現代語訳(げんだいごやく) (modern language translation)
  • 現代語(げんだいご)に訳(やく)す (to translate into modern language)
  • 現代語(げんだいご)の意味(いみ) (meaning in modern language)

Similar words

  • 古語(こご): archaic/classical language — the opposite of 現代語(げんだいご)
  • 口語(こうご): colloquial/spoken language — modern spoken form as opposed to written form

Related Words

Antonym: 古語(こご) (archaic/classical language)
Compare: 口語(こうご) (colloquial/spoken language)
general
Added 2026.3.19 12:55 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
17500/17782_gendaigo