形態論 (morphology) is a branch of linguistics that studies the structure and formation of words. It examines how morphemes, the smallest units of meaning, combine to create words and how these words can change form to express different grammatical functions. This field also explores the rules governing word formation, including processes like affixation, compounding, and inflection. By analyzing the morphological structure of languages, researchers can better understand language development, variation, and the relationship between different languages, contributing to the broader study of 言語学 (linguistics).