我が

Japanese

Kanji in this term

我

Etymology

Originally a compound of 我 (wa, archaic) + が (particle). Now fossilized into a single term. Note that が in modern Japanese is used as the nominative or subject particle; in ancient Japanese, it was used as a possessive particle between two nouns, a usage still seen in some limited phrases, particularly in place names.

Pronunciation

• Kun'yomi
• IPA: /wa.ga/, [ɰᵝägä]

Alternative forms

• 吾が

Pronoun

我が (hiragana わが, romaji waga)

1. (literary, archaic) my, our

   我が国

   わがくに
   waga kuni

   our country

   我が妻

   わがつま
   waga tsuma

   my wife

Usage notes

This is a fossilized phrase, and usage is somewhat restricted. Carries old-fashioned connotations, and suggests a favorable view of the following noun. When used in reference to an organization, the speaker must be a member of that organization.

Derived terms

• 我が国 (わがくに, waga kuni): our country
• 我が家 (わがや, wagaya; わがいえ, waga ie; わがえ, waga e): my / our home, house, household
• 我が社 (わがしゃ, waga sha): my / our company
• 我が輩 (わがはい, wagahai): I, me
• 我が子 (わがこ, wagako): my children, one's own children
• わがまま (wagamama): selfish
• 我が世の春 (わがよのはる, waga yo no haru)
• 我が身 (わがみ, wagami)
• 我が物 (わがもの, wagamono): one's own possession
• 我が物顔 (わがものがお, wagamonogao)