Translation and Meaning of: 名詞 - meishi

"名詞" (meishi) is a Japanese word that refers to "noun" in grammar. The etymology of the word can be broken down into two kanji: "名" (mei), which means "name" or "fame", and "詞" (shi), which means "word" or "speech". Thus, literally, "名詞" can be understood as "word of name", which reflects well the function of the noun in naming entities.

In the Japanese language, nouns do not have gender and are not inflected for number, meaning that the same word can be used for both singular and plural. For example, the word 「犬」 (inu) can mean both "dog" and "dogs," depending on the context in which it is used. Additionally, nouns in Japanese also do not have definite or indefinite articles corresponding to those used in other languages.

The origin of the systematic use of 「名詞」 in Japanese grammar dates back to the introduction of Western linguistic studies in Japan during the Meiji period. It was at that time that the Western grammatical structure began to be used to describe the functioning of Japanese, and categories such as nouns, verbs, and adjectives were formally recognized. Just like in other languages, nouns in Japanese play essential roles in sentence formation and in written and spoken communication.

Variations and Use

• 名词短语 (meishiku)Regarding a "noun phrase."
• 名詞的 (meishiteki)Something that has characteristics of a noun.
• 名詞节 (meishisetsu): Related to a "substantive clause".

These variations demonstrate the versatility and importance of the concept of 「名詞」 in Japanese grammar. As you delve deeper into learning Japanese, understanding the role and proper use of nouns becomes crucial for constructing more complex and expressive sentences.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 名目 (meimoku) - Name or title, usually used in formal contexts.
• 言葉 (kotoba) - Word, expression, or language; it can refer to a language in general.
• 語彙 (goi) - Vocabulary; a set of words and expressions of a language.
• 語句 (goku) - Phrase or expression; combinations of words that have meaning.
• 語彙素 (goiso) - Basic unit of vocabulary; fundamental elements that make up words.
• 語彙表 (goihyou) - List or table of vocabulary; collection of organized words.
• 語彙体系 (goitaikei) - Vocabulary system; organized structure of words in a language.
• 語彙集合 (goishuu) - Set of vocabulary; collection of words in a specific context.
• 語彙辞書 (goijisho) - Vocabulary dictionary; a resource that lists words and their meanings.
• 語彙的 (goiteki) - Regarding vocabulary; related to words and their usage.
• 語彙的意味 (goiteki imi) - Meaning vocabulary; the sense that a word or expression carries.
• 語彙的関係 (goiteki kankei) - Vocabulary relationship; interactions and connections between words.
• 語彙的特徴 (goiteki tokuchou) - Vocabulary characteristics; attributes that define the use of words.
• 語彙的分類 (goiteki bunrui) - Vocabulary classification; categorization of words based on specific criteria.
• 語彙的意味関係 (goiteki imi kankei) - Relationships of vocabulary meaning; how the meanings of words interact.
• 語彙的意味分類 (goiteki imi bunrui) - Classification of vocabulary meanings; categorization of word senses.
• 語彙的意味体系 (goiteki imi taikei) - System of vocabulary meanings; organized structure of the meanings of words.
• 語彙的意味構造 (goiteki imi kouzou) - Structure of vocabulary meanings; composition and organization of the senses of words.
• 語彙的意味表現 (goiteki imi hyougen) - Expressions of vocabulary meanings; ways in which meanings are presented.