Word in Japanese：What is the Difference between the Meaning of 言葉 vs 単語 in Japanese?
There are several words related to speaking in Japanese. Out of those, two common words, 言葉 and 単語both mean word. If you want to say word in Japanese you will usually pick one of these two.
https://japaneseuniverse.com/2024/02/18/pac-man-in-japaneseconcepts-behind-development-to-global-icon/There is an overlap between these when you translate them from Japanese to English. But they are not exactly the same. So, keep reading to find out the meaning of the words.
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The Meaning of 言葉
言葉 is the general word used when talking about words. If you are referring to a word that someone said or words you heard you would say 言葉.
More generally, 言葉 also refers to the way someone is speaking. Meaning, the choices of words someone uses when they speak.
You can also say 言葉 when referring to a language. So, the language is spoken in a country. For example, Japanese which is spoken in Japan.
日本で話されている言葉は日本語です
Japanese is the langauge spoken in Japan
考えを言葉に表す
to express one’s thoughts in words
The Meaning of 単語
The Japanese language restricts how you use 単語 more than it does 言葉. You use 単語 when you are talking about words themselves. For example, words in a sentence or words in a vocabulary list.
「言葉」という単語が好き
I like the word, “word”
What is the Difference between 言葉and 単語
The word 言葉 is the word to talk about words in general. That is the actual words someone is speaking or writing.
In contrast, 単語 is more of a grammatical word. It refers to words as individual blocks that make up a language.
These words are close and can be interchangeable much of the time though. If you would like to learn more Japanese words then check some of my other posts.
If you want to learn more Japanese I reviewed a dictionary of grammar series which I personally recommend and use myself.
I also have several other posts on various topics on Japanese Universe if you are interested.
