The Meaning of kotoba [言葉] In Japanese

言葉
ことば
Romaji: kotoba N5

What does 言葉 mean?

Translation and Meaning

word, language, speech, expression

Definition

言葉 means a unit of language used to communicate; it encompasses both individual words and the broader system of spoken or written expression that people use to convey meaning.

Type

noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • A single lexical item or term that represents a concept or object
  • Language as a whole or the vocabulary and structure used to express ideas
  • Speech or expression, the act of speaking or conveying thoughts in conversation
  • Style of speaking or phrasing, including nuance and register

Etymology

言 and 葉 form a native compound read kotoba (kotoba); this reading uses kun’yomi rather than Sino-Japanese readings, and 葉 undergoes rendaku to become ば in modern use

Origin

The concept appears in Old Japanese and remains central through classical and modern usage, reflecting a long-standing role of words and speech in Japanese communication.

Composition

  • 言: to say, speech, utterance
  • 葉: leaf, page; in this compound it evokes a unit of writing or content

Usage

Used across formal and casual contexts to denote words, speech, or language; common phrases include 言葉を交わす and 言葉遣い, with variations in politeness and register depending on the situation. In everyday speech one can refer to one’s vocabulary or to the act of speaking without specifying individual words.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine 言 as your voice and 葉 as leaves carrying content; when you speak, leaves turn into words, forming kotoba.

Variations

  • 語彙 (goi) — vocabulary
  • 語 (go) — word; often a component in compounds
  • 言語 (gengo) — language
  • 話し言葉 (hanashi-kotoba) — spoken language
  • 沈黙 (chinmoku) — silence (antonym in some contexts)

Example Phrases

  • 職場では、 言葉遣いに 気をつけて、 同僚に 丁寧に 話す。
    Shokuba de wa, kotoba zukai ni ki o tsukete, dōryō ni teinei ni hanasu.
    In the workplace, I watch my wording and speak politely to my colleagues.
    Lista:
    • 職場では (shokuba de wa) – in the workplace
    • 言葉遣いに (kotoba zukai ni) – wording
    • 気をつけて (ki o tsukete) – be careful
    • 同僚に (dōryō ni) – to colleagues
    • 丁寧に (teinei ni) – politely
    • 話す (hanasu) – speak
    「言葉遣い」 is the noun meaning ‘the way of speaking’; here it is the target of 気をつける with に, indicating what one pays attention to.
  • 「言葉」を大切に使うと、関係が良くなる。
    Kotoba o taisetsu ni tsukau to, kankei ga yoku naru.
    If you use your words carefully, relationships will improve.
    Lista:
    • 「言葉」 (kotoba) – words
    • を (o) – object marker
    • 大切に (taisetsu ni) – carefully
    • 使うと (tsukau to) – when using
    • 関係 (kankei) – relationship
    • が (ga) – subject marker
    • 良くなる (yoku naru) – get better
    In this sentence, 「言葉」 means ‘words’; を marks the direct object; 使うと expresses a conditional ‘when using’; 大切に describes doing something with care; the whole means ‘If you use words with care, relationships improve.’
  • 彼の言葉が私の救いだった。
    Kare no kotoba ga watashi no sukui datta.
    His words were my salvation.
    Lista:
    • 彼の (kare no) – his
    • 言葉が (kotoba ga) – words (subject)
    • 私の (watashi no) – my
    • 救い (sukui) – salvation
    • だった (datta) – was
    In this sentence, the noun 「救い」 means salvation and functions as a predicative noun linked by だった; 私の modifies it to express ‘my salvation’.
言葉