修飾語(しゅうしょくご)

A standard grammar term used in Japanese language education. Composed of 修飾(しゅうしょく) (modification, embellishment) + 語(ご) (word). In Japanese grammar education, modifiers are divided into two types.

Types of modifiers

• 連体修飾語(れんたいしゅうしょくご): adnominal modifier — modifies a noun (e.g., 赤(あか)い花(はな): red flower)
• 連用修飾語(れんようしゅうしょくご): adverbial modifier — modifies a verb (e.g., ゆっくり歩(ある)く: walk slowly)

Related words

• 被修飾語(ひしゅうしょくご): the word being modified
• 修飾(しゅうしょく)する: to modify
• 形容詞(けいようし): adjective
• 副詞(ふくし): adverb
• 連体詞(れんたいし): pre-noun adjectival (Japanese-specific category)

Usage

This term is learned in Japanese elementary school 国語(こくご) (Japanese language) classes and continues through grammar study at all levels.