語: the kanji for word and language
語 is a JLPT N5 kanji that means word, language. Below are its readings, 13 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
語 is written in 14 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
語 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 13 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ゴ (go)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 日本語にほんご · Nihongo | Japanese (the language) |
| 英語えいご · Eigo | English |
| 中国語ちゅうごくご · Chūgokugo | Chinese |
| 外国語がいこくご · gaikokugo | foreign language |
| 言語げんご · gengo | language |
| 単語たんご · tango | word; vocabulary |
| 敬語けいご · keigo | polite language |
| 母国語ぼこくご · bokokugo | native language |
| 語学ごがく · gogaku | language study |
| 用語ようご · yōgo | term; terminology |
かたる (kataru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 語るかたる · kataru | to talk about; to tell |
| 物語ものがたり · monogatari | story; tale |
かたらう (katarau)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 語らうかたらう · katarau | to talk together |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 日本語を勉強しています。Nihongo o benkyō shite imasu.I'm studying Japanese.
- 敬語は難しいです。Keigo wa muzukashii desu.Keigo is difficult.
- 英語で説明してもいいですか。Eigo de setsumei shite mo ii desu ka.May I explain in English?
- 毎日、新しい単語を覚えます。Mainichi, atarashii tango o oboemasu.I learn new words every day.
- 社長が会社の歴史を語りました。Shachō ga kaisha no rekishi o katarimashita.The president talked about the history of the company.
- 専門用語が多くて分かりません。Senmon yōgo ga ōkute wakarimasen.There are too many technical terms for me to understand.
Questions about 語
How many strokes does 語 have?
語 is written in 14 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 語?
The on readings are go (ゴ). The kun readings are kataru (かたる), katarau (かたらう).
What is 敬語?
敬語 (keigo) is the polite and respectful language used in business and formal situations. The words change depending on who you are talking to.
What JLPT level is 語?
N5. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N5 is designed to match the former Level 4.
More JLPT N5 kanji
Things and descriptions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 語
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.