jukugo

Jukugo (熟語) is a Japanese linguistic term for a compound word formed by two or more kanji characters that function as a single lexical unit. Jukugo are usually written in kanji and can be nouns, adjectives, verbs, or adverbs; they are distinguished from single-kanji morphemes and from native Japanese words (wago) or loanwords (gairaigo).

Most jukugo originated as Sino-Japanese compounds, and their readings are typically on'yomi, the Sino-Japanese pronunciations of the component kanji. However, some jukugo use kun'yomi or mixed readings, and a minority have irregular histories or specialized readings in names or technical terms.

Common examples include 学校 (gakkō, school), 電話 (denwa, telephone), 自動車 (jidōsha, automobile), 便利 (benri, convenient), and 安全 (anzen, safety). Longer multi-kanji compounds appear in proper names and institutional terms such as 共同通信社 (Kyōdō Tsūshinsha, Kyodo News).

In usage, jukugo contrast with wago (native Japanese vocabulary) and gairaigo (loanwords). They are a central part of written Japanese, enabling compact expression by combining kanji to form a single lexical unit. Understanding jukugo involves recognizing both the character components and their common on'yomi readings, while also being aware that some words may have irregular or specialized pronunciations in certain contexts.