言葉・詞・辞|ことばkotoba[3]odaka (tail-high)

1. nounlanguage; dialect
   「言葉ことばの一面いちめんは、伝達でんたつしようとする意志いしである」と彼かれは言ゆう。↗

   "One aspect of language is an intent to communicate," he says.
2. nounword; phrase; expression; term
   言葉ことばが出でてこなかった。↗

   Words failed me.
3. nounspeech; (manner of) speaking; (use of) language
   乱暴らんぼうな言葉ことばを使つかってはいけない。↗

   Don't be rough in speech.
4. nounwords; remark; statement; comment
5. nounlearning to speak; language acquisition

• Synonym言語げんごWrittenSino-Japanese term for language as a system, as in 「言語学」 or 「多言語」; academic and formal. 「言葉」 is more everyday and also covers individual words and speech.
• SynonymラングWrittenLinguistics term for the language system in Saussure's theory, opposed to parole; not used in everyday speech.
• Synonym単語たんごNeutralA word as a unit of language, as in 「英単語を覚える」; centers on individual words in study or grammar.
• Synonym語ごNeutralWord or language, used mostly as a suffix, as in 「日本語」 or 「外来語」.
• SynonymワードNeutralLoanword for word or keyword, used mostly in compounds such as 「キーワード」 and 「NGワード」.
• Synonym言い回しいいまわしNeutralConcrete wording or turn of phrase, as in 「独特な言い回し」; focuses on how something is phrased.
• Synonym弁べんWrittenWritten word for speech or eloquence, as in 「弁が立つ」; as the suffix 「～弁」 it means dialect, as in 「関西弁」.
• SynonymランゲージWrittenLoanword seen mostly in compounds such as 「ボディランゲージ」; almost never used on its own.
• Related言葉遣いことばづかいNeutralRefers to how one's choice of words comes across, as in 「言葉遣いが丁寧」; focuses on whether wording is polite and appropriate.
• Related言辞げんじWrittenWritten word for wording or spoken statements, often with an evaluative tone, as in 「激しい言辞」.
• Related言げんWrittenWritten word for what someone says or claims, as in 「彼の言によれば」; in daily speech use 「言葉」 or 「話」.
• Related言い方いいかたNeutralWay of saying or phrasing something, as in 「言い方がきつい」; focuses on how something is said.
• Related物言いものいいNeutralManner or tone of speaking, as in 「乱暴な物言い」; also means raising an objection, especially in sumo.
• Related話はなしNeutralCovers what is talked about — conversation, topics, stories — as in 「話をする」; centers on the talk itself and its content.
• Related用語ようごNeutralTerms used within a particular field, as in 「専門用語」.
• Related口先くちさきCasualColloquial word for words that are mere lip service, as in 「口先だけの約束」; carries a negative nuance.
• Related語りかたりWrittenWritten word for narration or recital, as in 「昔話の語り」; centers on the act of telling a story.
• Related言の葉ことのはWrittenArchaic, elegant word for words, also meaning waka poems; found in poetry, literature and refined titles. In daily speech say 「言葉」.
• Related言いよういいようNeutralWay of putting or saying things, as in 「物は言いようだ」 or 「言いようがない」.
• Related辞じWrittenWritten word for formal addresses or remarks, as in 「開会の辞」; used mostly in compounds.
• Related言詞げんしWrittenWritten word for words or wording; very rare. Say 「言葉」 in everyday contexts.
• Related口気こうきCasualRare colloquial word for tone or manner of speaking; also means bad breath.
• Related口くCasualRead 「く」, it appears in set words like 「口伝」 and 「異口同音」 meaning speech; not used on its own in modern Japanese.

「言葉」 is the everyday word for language, words and speech. Use 「言語」 for language as a system, 「単語」 for individual words, 「用語」 for technical terms, 「言い方」 or 「言葉遣い」 for wording, and 「～弁」 for dialects. Most other alternatives are written, rare or compound-only.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 人間にんげんが意思いしを伝つたえるために用もちいる、音声おんせいや文字もじによる体系たいけい。
2. 意味いみを表あらわす一ひとつ一ひとつの語ごや、まとまった言い回いいまわし。
3. 口くちで話はなすこと。また、その話し方はなしかたや言語げんごの使い方つかいかた。
4. 人ひとが述のべたり伝つたえたりする内容ないよう。発言はつげん。
5. 子こどもが初はじめて話はなすようになる過程かてい。