廃語(はいご)

はいご
noun
obsolete word; archaic term
formalacademic
1. obsolete word; archaic term; dead word
A word that has fallen out of common use and is no longer part of active vocabulary. Used in linguistics and language study to classify words that were once current but are now considered outdated.
この言葉(ことば)はもう廃語(はいご)だ。
This word is already obsolete.
辞書(じしょ)には廃語(はいご)にも注釈(ちゅうしゃく)が付(つ)いている。
The dictionary includes annotations even for obsolete words.
時代(じだい)の変化(へんか)とともに多(おお)くの言葉(ことば)が廃語(はいご)になり、新(あたら)しい言葉(ことば)が生(う)まれてくる。
As times change, many words become obsolete and new words are born.

Composed of 廃(はい) (abolish, discard) and 語(ご) (word, language). A linguistics term used when discussing historical changes in vocabulary. Unlike 古語(こご) (classical/old Japanese word), which refers specifically to words from classical literature, 廃語(はいご) emphasizes that a word is no longer in active use regardless of its era of origin.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 古語(こご): classical Japanese word — refers to words from classical literature (pre-modern Japanese); may still be understood
  • 死語(しご): dead word — more colloquial; often used humorously for slang that has gone out of fashion
  • 雅語(がご): elegant/literary word — archaic words preserved in formal or literary registers

Related Words

Compare: 古語(こご) (classical Japanese word)
Compare: 死語(しご) (dead word)
Antonym: 新語(しんご) (new word)
general
Added 2026.5.2 22:32 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
26500/26501_haigo