1.
colloquial style; spoken-language writing style
A style of writing that uses modern spoken Japanese grammar and vocabulary, as opposed to the classical literary style (文語体). In Japanese linguistics, this refers specifically to the modern language style that became standard after the Meiji-era language reforms.
Composed of 口語 (spoken language) + 体 (style/form). This is a key term in Japanese linguistics and literary history, referring to the writing style based on modern spoken Japanese.
Etymology
Before the Meiji period, written Japanese (文語体) was very different from spoken Japanese. The 言文一致 (unification of speech and writing) movement in the late 19th century promoted writing in the same style as speech, leading to the dominance of 口語体 in modern Japanese.
Common collocations
- 口語体で書く: to write in colloquial style
- 口語体の文章: colloquial-style writing
- 口語体と文語体: colloquial and literary styles
Similar words
Related Words
Compare:
話し言葉 (spoken language)