Japanese vocabulary

Japanese vocabulary consists of words derived from native Japanese and borrowed from other languages, primarily Chinese, English, and Korean. Many words are built from kanji characters conveying specific meanings, while others use hiragana or katakana scripts. Kanji combine to create compound words, often with layered meanings. Borrowed words (gairaigo) are adapted to Japanese pronunciation and often relate to modern concepts. Understanding Japanese vocabulary involves recognizing the three writing systems and how context influences word usage, connotations, and politeness levels. Mastery of vocabulary enables effective communication and comprehension of both formal and informal language in various social and cultural contexts.