Word Detail

The Japanese word 述語 (じゅつご, *jutsu-go*) means "predicate." A predicate is a part of a sentence that says something about the subject. It contains the verb and often includes other elements like adjectives, nouns, or particles that complete the thought. In essence, it's what is being *said* about the subject of the sentence. Understanding 述語 is crucial for grasping Japanese sentence structure, which often follows a Subject-Object-Predicate (SOV) order.

⚫︎私は学生です。 Translation: I am a student. The 述語 is です (desu), a form of the copula "to be." It tells us about the subject 私 (watashi - I). ⚫︎犬は走ります。 Translation: The dog runs. The 述語 is 走ります (hashirimasu - runs), the verb that describes the action of the subject 犬 (inu - dog). ⚫︎この本は面白いです。 Translation: This book is interesting. The 述語 is 面白いです (omoshiroi desu - is interesting), which is an adjective + copula, and describes the subject この本 (kono hon - this book).

You won't directly use the word 述語 in everyday conversation. However, understanding the concept of a 述語 is essential for analyzing and constructing Japanese sentences. When you are learning Japanese, you might discuss "what the 述語 is" to better understand sentence structure, especially when comparing and contrasting it with the subject and the object.

述語 is typically written in kanji 述語 and read as *jutsu-go*. The reading (hiragana) is じゅつご. There is only one standard way to write this word. Okurigana (the suffix hiragana) is fixed.

There aren't direct synonyms for 述語. However, the term refers to the part of the sentence that contains the verb or describes the subject. When discussing the function of 述語, you could use phrases like: ⚫︎ "the part of the sentence that..." ⚫︎ "the action..." ⚫︎ "what is being said about..."

There are no direct antonyms for 述語. The concept of a 述語 describes a function in a sentence, not an object with an opposite. The subject (主語 *shugo*) is in opposition, which is what the 述語 describes.

この文の《述語は「食べました」です。》 ・Translation: The predicate of this sentence is "ate." ・Explanation: This sentence clearly identifies the 述語 ("ate") in a given sentence, demonstrating its function.

日本語の文法では、《述語が文の最後にくることが多いです。》 ・Translation: In Japanese grammar, the predicate often comes at the end of the sentence. ・Explanation: This sentence explains the common placement of the 述語 in Japanese sentences, highlighting its importance in sentence construction.

述語 is composed of two kanji: 述 (*jutsu*) meaning "to state" or "to describe" and 語 (*go*) meaning "word" or "language." Therefore, 述語 literally means "a word that describes" or "a word that states (something)." This accurately reflects its function in a sentence.