diff --git a/pkgs/tools/text/mecab/base.nix b/pkgs/tools/text/mecab/base.nix
index 572ec28c0750..ea572104238c 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/text/mecab/base.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/text/mecab/base.nix
@@ -15,5 +15,9 @@ finalAttrs: {
     "--with-charset=utf8"
   ];
 
+  # mecab uses several features that have been removed in C++17.
+  # Force the language mode to C++14, so that it can compile with clang 16.
+  makeFlags = [ "CXXFLAGS=-std=c++14" ];
+
   doCheck = true;
 }