language · word

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is ご, and the kun readings are かたる, かたらう. It has 14 strokes and relates to speaking or referring to a unit of language.
• Basic usage: 語る is read かたる, and 単語 is read たんご.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 語る and 単語
  • 語る means tell or talk. It is a verb read かたる for telling an experience or expressing thoughts at some length.
  • 祖母は若いころの旅について語った。 means “My grandmother told me about her travels when she was young.”
  • 単語 means word. It is a noun read たんご for a single word with its own form and meaning.
  • 知らない単語をノートに書き留めた。 means “I wrote the unfamiliar word in my notebook.”