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How to say 'Word' in Japanese | 言葉

Wondering how to say 'Word' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Word is 'Kotoba', written as 言葉 in Japanese.'Word' in hiragana is ことば.

    word

    言葉

    Meaning

    Word

    Reading

    ことば

    kotoba

    Kanji

    言Say 葉Leaf

    Explanation

    The Japanese noun '言葉 (ことば)' refers to 'word' or 'language'. It encompasses spoken or written expressions used to communicate ideas, feelings, or information. This term is often used in contexts discussing communication, linguistics, or the power of language. For example: Her words were kind「彼女の言葉は優しかった」(かのじょのことばはやさしかった). I want to learn Japanese words「日本語の言葉を学びたい」(にほんごのことばをまなびたい). The word can also imply deeper meanings, such as the essence of communication or the way something is expressed.

    Part Of Speech

    noun

    Kanji JLPT

    N3

    Kanji Grade

    3

    Frequency

    160

    Composition

    kanji

    Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 言葉

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

  • kanji

    言

    Meaning

    Say

  • kanji

    葉

    Meaning

    Leaf

Words Related to 言葉 Through the Kanji 言

These 26 Words contain the Kanji 言 as well.

  • word

    言う

    Meaning

    Say

  • word

    言い方

    Meaning

    Way of speaking

  • word

    言語

    Meaning

    Language

  • word

    発言

    Meaning

    Statement

  • word

    一言

    Meaning

    Word

  • word

    言わば

    Meaning

    So to speak

  • word

    言い出す

    Meaning

    Start saying

  • word

    宣言

    Meaning

    Declaration

  • word

    言い返す

    Meaning

    Retort

  • word

    言い表わす

    Meaning

    Express

  • word

    言論

    Meaning

    Discussion, Speech

  • word

    言い訳

    Meaning

    Excuse

  • word

    言付ける

    Meaning

    Entrust

  • word

    証言

    Meaning

    Testimony

  • word

    遺言

    Meaning

    Will

  • word

    言葉遣い

    Meaning

    Wording

  • word

    書き言葉

    Meaning

    Written language

  • word

    方言

    Meaning

    Dialect

  • word

    言い替える

    Meaning

    Rephrase

  • word

    無言

    Meaning

    Silence

  • word

    予言

    Meaning

    Prophecy

  • word

    言

    Meaning

    Word

  • word

    言及

    Meaning

    Mention

  • word

    独り言

    Meaning

    Soliloquy

  • word

    話し言葉

    Meaning

    Spoken language

  • word

    伝言

    Meaning

    Message

Words Related to 言葉 Through the Kanji 葉

These 10 Words contain the Kanji 葉 as well.

  • word

    葉

    Meaning

    Leaf

  • word

    絵葉書

    Meaning

    Postcard

  • word

    言葉遣い

    Meaning

    Wording

  • word

    落ち葉

    Meaning

    Fallen leaves

  • word

    木の葉

    Meaning

    Leaf

  • word

    書き言葉

    Meaning

    Written language

  • word

    紅葉

    Meaning

    Autumn leaves

  • word

    葉書

    Meaning

    Postcard

  • word

    話し言葉

    Meaning

    Spoken language

  • word

    葉っぱ

    Meaning

    Leaf

Learn the Word 言葉

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What does 'Kotoba' (言葉) mean?

'Kotoba' means 'Word' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.