Synonymy in Japanese

There are many synonyms in Japanese because the Japanese language draws from several different languages for loanwords, notably Chinese and English, as well as its own native words.^[1] In Japanese, synonyms are called dōgigo (kanji: 同義語) or ruigigo (kanji: 類義語).^[2]

Full synonymy, however, is rare. In general, native Japanese words may have broader meanings than those that are borrowed, Sino-Japanese words tend to suggest a more formal tone, while Western borrowed words more modern.^[1]

Yamato kotoba vs. kango vs. gairaigo

The table below compares native Japanese words, inherited from Old Japanese – yamato kotoba – with words borrowed from Chinese – kango – and loanwords from other languages – gairaigo.


Yamato kotoba	Kango	Gairaigo	Meaning
大きさ / おおきさ / ōkisa	大小 / だいしょう / daishō	サイズ / saizu	size
速さ / はやさ / hayasa	速度 / そくど / sokudo	スピード / supīdo	speed
殺し屋 / ころしや / koroshiya	殺人者 / さつじんしゃ / satsujinsha	キラー / kirā	killer

Native synonyms

Word #1 (kanji+hiragana / hiragana only / rōmaji)	Word #2	Meaning
食べる / たべる / taberu	食う / くう / kuu	to eat
走る / はしる / hashiru	駆ける / かける / kakeru	to run
話す / はなす / hanasu	喋る / しゃべる / shaberu	to talk

References

^ ^a ^b Yoko Hasegawa (13 May 2013). "2.1.3 Synonymy". The Routledge Course in Japanese Translation. Routledge. ISBN 9781136640872.
^ "Learning Synonyms in Japanese". Retrieved 2018-01-19.

[Yoko_Hasegawa-1] Yoko Hasegawa (13 May 2013). "2.1.3 Synonymy". The Routledge Course in Japanese Translation. Routledge. ISBN 9781136640872.

[2] "Learning Synonyms in Japanese". Retrieved 2018-01-19.

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