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

Forms

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

Related Words

Compare: 外国語(がいこくご) (foreign language)

Compare: 母語(ぼご) (mother tongue)

Compare: 公用語(こうようご) (official language)

Compare: 第一言語(だいいちげんご) (first language)

general

Added 2026.4.8 23:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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