noun
A less usual or older/formal way to refer to the Japanese language itself; in ordinary modern Japanese, 日本語 is the standard word.
See also: 日本語
古い文献では、和語が日本語の意味で使われることがある。
In old texts, 和語 is sometimes used to mean the Japanese language.
noun
Linguistic term for words of native Japanese origin, contrasted with 漢語 Chinese-derived words and 外来語 loanwords.
「山」「川」「見る」は和語の例だ。
Yama, kawa, and miru are examples of native Japanese words.
この授業では、単語を和語、漢語、外来語に分類する。
In this class, we classify words into native Japanese words, Sino-Japanese words, and loanwords.
The ordinary word for the Japanese language; 和語 usually refers more specifically to native Japanese vocabulary.
Chinese-derived vocabulary in Japanese, contrasted with 和語.
Loanwords from foreign languages, especially modern Western loans; contrasted with native 和語.
A more literary or culturally colored term for native Japanese words; overlaps strongly with 和語.
和 here is conventionally associated with Japan or Japanese things, and 語 means language or word. 倭 is an older character associated with Wa/Japan, but 和語 is the standard modern spelling.