第二言語(だいにげんご)

だいにげんご
noun
second language
1. second language
A language learned after one's native language, either through formal education or living in a community where it is spoken. In linguistics, distinguished from a 'foreign language' by the degree of exposure and use in daily life.
英語(えいご)を第二言語(だいにげんご)として学(まな)ぶ。
To learn English as a second language.
第二言語(だいにげんご)の習得(しゅうとく)には長(なが)い時間(じかん)がかかる。
Acquiring a second language takes a long time.
子(こ)どもの頃(ころ)から二(ふた)つの言語(げんご)に触(ふ)れていると、第二言語(だいにげんご)も自然(しぜん)に身(み)につく。
When children are exposed to two languages from a young age, they naturally acquire a second language.

Composed of 第二(だいに) (second) and 言語(げんご) (language). A key term in linguistics and education. In academic usage, 第二言語(だいにげんご) specifically refers to a language acquired in a context where it is used socially (e.g., English for an immigrant in the US), while 外国語(がいこくご) refers to a language learned in a context where it is not the community language.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 第二言語(だいにげんご)習得(しゅうとく): second language acquisition (SLA)
  • 第二言語(だいにげんご)として学(まな)ぶ: to learn as a second language
  • 第二言語(だいにげんご)教育(きょういく): second language education
  • 第二言語(だいにげんご)話者(わしゃ): second language speaker

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 外国語(がいこくご): foreign language — broader term, does not imply immersion context
  • 母語(ぼご): mother tongue; native language — one's first language
  • 公用語(こうようご): official language — language designated for government use

ABBREVIATION:
In academic contexts, often abbreviated as L2 (エルツー).

general
Added 2026.4.8 23:17
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