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.
普通語で話してください。
Please speak in standard language.
方言ではなく普通語で書かれた文章だ。
This is a text written in standard language, not dialect.
専門用語を避けて普通語で説明するよう心がけている。
I try to explain things in everyday language, avoiding technical terms.
A compound of 普通 (ordinary; common) and 語 (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 specifically refers to Mandarin Chinese (Putonghua), and this usage also appears in Japanese texts about Chinese language.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 普通語で話す: to speak in standard language
- 普通語に直す: to convert to standard language
- 普通語と方言: standard language and dialect
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 標準語: standard language — the officially designated national standard, more formal term
- 共通語: common language — language understood across regions; emphasizes mutual intelligibility
- 口語: spoken language; colloquial language — contrasts with written or literary language