Word, Language, Manner Of Speech
noun
A leaf of the things you say is like a leaf from a tree of speaking. That leaf is a part of the whole language, it is a single word, though it can add up to be a language or manner of speech.
ことば
The reading for 言 is one you haven't learned, so here's a mnemonic to help you: Now imagine that there are words all over your coat (こと). It's completely covered in words. Which language are these words in? Why Japanese, of course! Think about which Japanese words you would want written on your coat.
この言葉の意味を教えて下さい。
Can you teach me the meaning of this word?
うまく言葉にできないけど、コウイチは私にとってすごく特別な人なの。
It's hard to put into words, but Koichi is a very special person to me.
私は言葉に詰まった。
I was at a loss for words.