原語(げんご)

げんご
noun
original language; original word; source language
language
1. original language; original word (in translation)
The language in which a text was originally written or spoken, as contrasted with a translation. Also refers to a word in its source language before being translated or borrowed.
原語(げんご)で読(よ)んでみたい。
I'd like to read it in the original language.
この言葉(ことば)の原語(げんご)はラテン語(ご)だ。
The original of this word is Latin.
原語(げんご)のニュアンスは翻訳(ほんやく)では完全(かんぜん)には伝(つた)わらない。
The nuance of the original language cannot be fully conveyed in translation.

Composed of 原(げん) (origin) + 語(ご) (language, word). Note the homophone 言語(げんご) (language in the general sense) — context usually makes the distinction clear.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 原文(げんぶん): the original text — refers to the actual passage of text rather than the language itself
  • 訳語(やくご): translated word — the counterpart concept, i.e., the word chosen in the target language

Related Words

Compare: 原文(げんぶん) (the original text)
general
Added 2026.6.5 12:07 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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