我が

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Japanese

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Kanji in this term

Grade: 6
kun'yomi
Alternative spellings
吾が

Etymology

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Originally a compound of (wa, I, me, archaic) +‎ (ga, particle). Now fossilized into a single term.[1] Note that 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

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Adnominal

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() (waga

  1. (archaic, now literary) my
    ()(つま)waga tsumamy wife
    • 2014 November 7, “黄金(おうごん)のたてがみのジャザル (Ōgon no Tategami no Jazaru, Jazal Goldmane)”, in 統率者 [Commander], Wizards of the Coast:
      ()(おう)として、あの(かた)(わたし)(ゆう)()(げん)(せん)である。()(あに)として、あの(かた)(わたし)(がん)(ぼう)(たい)(げん)する(もの)である。
      Waga ō to shite, ano kata wa watashi no yūki no gensen de aru. Waga ani to shite, ano kata wa watashi no ganbō o taigen suru mono de aru.
      As my king, he is the source of my courage. As my elder brother, he is the embodiment of my aspirations.
  2. (archaic, now literary) our
    ()(くに)waga kuniour country

Usage notes

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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

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Shōgaku Tosho (1988) 国語大辞典(新装版) [Unabridged Dictionary of Japanese (Revised Edition)] (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Shogakukan, →ISBN