JLPT N5 · Noun

言葉 (kotoba)

言葉 (ことば, kotoba) is a Japanese noun meaning “language; dialect”. It appears in JLPT N5 vocabulary lists and is marked as a common word in JMdict.

Reading: ことば
Romaji: kotoba
Word class: Noun
Level: JLPT N5 (unofficial)

Meaning

language; dialect · noun
word; phrase; expression; term · noun
speech; (manner of) speaking; (use of) language · noun
words; remark; statement; comment · noun
learning to speak; language acquisition · noun

Example sentences

「言葉の一面は、伝達しようとする意志である」と彼は言う。

"One aspect of language is an intent to communicate," he says.

Tatoeba #236336

言葉が出てこなかった。

Words failed me.

Tatoeba #174713

乱暴な言葉を使ってはいけない。

Don't be rough in speech.

Tatoeba #78508

Sentences from the Tatoeba project, linked to this word in JMdict.

Kanji in 言葉

言

say, wordゲン・ゴン・い.う・こと · 7 strokes

葉

leaf, plane, lobeヨウ・は · 12 strokes

Related words

Other vocabulary sharing a kanji with 言葉.

言ういうto say言語げんごlanguage一言ひとことsingle word伝言でんごん(verbal) message言わばいわばso to speak方言ほうげんdialect独り言ひとりごとsoliloquy言い出すいいだすto begin to say言葉遣いことばづかいspeech言付けることづけるto have someone send (a message, parcel, etc.)言い付けるいいつけるto tell (to do)言論げんろん(one's) speech証言しょうげんtestimony助言じょげんadvice

Source: JMdict entry 1264540 (EDRDG, CC BY-SA 4.0). Level: unofficial JLPT list – how levels are assigned.