普 通 語(ふつうご)

ふつうご

noun

standard language; common speech

1. standard language; common speech; everyday language

The form of a language used in general communication, as opposed to dialect, technical jargon, or literary language. In the Japanese context, refers to the common spoken language as distinct from regional dialects.

普通語(ふつうご)で話(はな)してください。

Please speak in standard language.

方言(ほうげん)ではなく普通語(ふつうご)で書(か)かれた文章(ぶんしょう)だ。

This is a text written in standard language, not dialect.

専門(せんもん)用語(ようご)を避(さ)けて普通語(ふつうご)で説明(せつめい)するよう心(こころ)がけている。

I try to explain things in everyday language, avoiding technical terms.

A compound of 普通(ふつう) (ordinary; common) and 語(ご) (language; word). Can refer to either the standard/common form of a language (as opposed to dialects) or to everyday vocabulary (as opposed to jargon). In Chinese linguistics, 普通語(ふつうご) specifically refers to Mandarin Chinese (Putonghua), and this usage also appears in Japanese texts about Chinese language.

Common collocations

普通語(ふつうご)で話(はな)す: to speak in standard language
普通語(ふつうご)に直(なお)す: to convert to standard language
普通語(ふつうご)と方言(ほうげん): standard language and dialect

Similar words

標準語(ひょうじゅんご): standard language — the officially designated national standard, more formal term
共通語(きょうつうご): common language — language understood across regions; emphasizes mutual intelligibility
口語(こうご): spoken language; colloquial language — contrasts with written or literary language

Related Words

Compare: 標準語(ひょうじゅんご) (standard language)

Compare: 共通語(きょうつうご) (common language)

Compare: 口語(こうご) (spoken language)

general

Added 2026.4.29 22:37 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29

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