人々は人間しか言語を使えないと以前は考えていた。

Sentence Analyzer

English Translation

People used to think that only humans could use language.

Furigana

人々(ひとびと)は人間(にんげん)しか言語(げんご)を使(つか)えないと以前(いぜん)は考(かんが)えていた。

Romanji

Hitobito wa ningen shika gengo o tsukaenai to izen wa kangaeteita.

Words

人々 (ひとびと、にんにん)

each person; people; men and women; everybody

は (は)

topic marker particle; indicates contrast with another option (stated or unstated); adds emphasis

人間 (にんげん)

human being; person; man; mankind; humankind; character (of a person)

しか (しか)

only; nothing but

言語 (げんご、ごんご、げんきょ)

language

を (を)

indicates direct object of action; indicates subject of causative expression; indicates an area traversed; indicates time (period) over which action takes place; indicates point of departure or separation of action; indicates object of desire, like, hate, etc.

使える (つかえる)

to be usable; to be serviceable; to be useful

と (と)

if; when; and; with; particle used for quoting (with speech, thoughts, etc.); quoting particle; promoted pawn; indicates question (sentence end)

以前 (いぜん)

ago; since; before; previous

考える (かんがえる)

to think about; to take into consideration; to ponder; to reflect; to try to come at a conclusion; to think over (something); to intend; to decide (to do); to plan; to come up with; to devise; to scheme; to predict; to anticipate; to expect; to suspect; to doubt; to consider (somebody to be something); to look on