Translation and Meaning of: 漢語 - kango

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have encountered the word 漢語[かんご]. But what does it mean exactly? In this article, we will explore everything from the meaning and origin to the everyday use of this term, which holds historical and cultural significance in Japan. Here at Suki Nihongo, our goal is to provide clear and precise explanations for those who truly want to learn Japanese.

What does 漢語[かんご] mean?

The word 漢語[かんご] refers to the Japanese vocabulary that has its origin in Classical Chinese. These have been incorporated into Japanese over the centuries, especially during periods of intense cultural exchange between Japan and China. Unlike native Japanese words (和語[わご]), 漢語 tend to have a shorter and more direct sound, often composed of two kanjis.

A classic example is the word 学生[がくせい], which means "student". It is a 漢語, while the native Japanese term for the same idea would be 生徒[せいと]. This distinction is important because it helps to understand why some words sound more formal or technical in modern Japanese.

The origin and history of 漢語 in Japan

The introduction of 漢語 in Japan dates back to the Asuka period (538-710 A.D.), when Buddhism and Chinese writing began to profoundly influence Japanese culture. Many related to philosophy, government, and religion were directly adapted from Chinese, although with modified pronunciations to fit the Japanese phonetic system.

It is important to note that not all words of Chinese origin are considered 漢語. The term specifically applies to those that have been systematically incorporated and follow distinct phonetic and structural patterns. For example, words like 饅頭[まんじゅう] (sweet bun) have come from Chinese, but they are treated as more recent borrowings, not as classical 漢語.

How are 漢語 used in modern Japanese?

In daily life, 漢語 are extremely common, especially in formal, academic, and technical contexts. like 経済[けいざい] (economics) and 政治[せいじ] (politics) are examples of 漢語 that dominate specialized discussions. This happens because these words carry a precision that is often lacking in their native Japanese equivalents.

Interestingly, some 漢語 have become so naturalized that many Japanese people don’t even notice their foreign origin. Words like 電話[でんわ] (telephone) and 新聞[しんぶん] (newspaper) are used daily without people stopping to think that, technically, they have Chinese roots.

Tips for memorizing 漢語 more easily

An effective strategy for learning 漢語 is to group words by radicals or themes. Since many of them share common kanjis, identifying these patterns can speed up the learning process. For example, like 医学[いがく] (medicine) and 医院[いいん] (clinic) have the kanji 医, which is related to health.

Another tip is to pay attention to the context in which 漢語 appear. Technical books, news, and official documents tend to use these words more, while informal conversations may prioritize native vocabulary. This understanding helps to choose the appropriate term for each situation.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 漢字 (Kanji) - Chinese characters used in Japanese.
• 中国語 (Chūgokugo) - Chinese language.
• 中国文字 (Chūgoku moji) - Chinese characters.
• 漢文 (Kanbun) - Classical Chinese literature in kanji, read in Japan.
• 漢字文化 (Kanji bunka) - Culture of kanji characters.
• 漢字表記 (Kanji hyōki) - Written representation in kanji.
• 漢字表現 (Kanji hyōgen) - Expression in kanji.