書(か)き言 葉(ことば)

かきことば

noun

written language; written word

1. written language; written word

Language as used in writing, as opposed to spoken language. Encompasses the vocabulary, grammar, and style characteristic of written communication.

書(か)き言葉(ことば)と話(はな)し言葉(ことば)は違(ちが)う。

Written language and spoken language are different.

日本語(にほんご)の書(か)き言葉(ことば)には漢語(かんご)が多(おお)い。

Japanese written language contains many Sino-Japanese words.

この表現(ひょうげん)は書(か)き言葉(ことば)としては固(かた)すぎるので、もう少(すこ)し柔(やわ)らかい言(い)い方(かた)にしましょう。

This expression is too stiff as written language, so let's use a softer way of saying it.

A compound of 書(か)き (writing) and 言葉(ことば) (language; words). In Japanese, the gap between written and spoken language is significant. Written Japanese tends to use more Sino-Japanese compounds (漢語(かんご)), longer sentences, and formal grammar, while spoken Japanese uses more native Japanese words (和語(わご)), contractions, and casual forms.

Common collocations

書(か)き言葉(ことば)と話(はな)し言葉(ことば): written and spoken language
書(か)き言葉(ことば)の表現(ひょうげん): written expression
書(か)き言葉(ことば)で書(か)く: to write in written-style language

Similar words

話(はな)し言葉(ことば): spoken language — the counterpart to 書(か)き言葉(ことば)
文語(ぶんご): literary language — specifically the classical written style, as opposed to modern written Japanese
口語(こうご): colloquial language — modern spoken style, often contrasted with 文語(ぶんご)

Related Words

Compare: 話(はな)し言葉(ことば) (spoken language)

Compare: 文語(ぶんご) (literary language)

Compare: 口語(こうご) (colloquial language)

general

Added 2026.4.28 23:08 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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