🇯🇵 How to say

“old (thing)” in Japanese

古いふるい
Illustration of "old (thing)" in a Japanese cultural setting
A dusty attic with a single sunbeam illuminating a stack of old books and a worn-out wooden chest. A vintage radio sits on a crate, covered in a thin layer of time.

Usage note

古い (furui) describes objects, buildings, or ideas that have existed for a long time. It's a neutral word, not necessarily negative like 'worn-out', and is commonly used for everything from antiques to old habits.

Examples

  • この本は古いです。

    This book is old.

  • 私の車は古いですが、まだ使えます。

    My car is old, but I can still use it.

  • 古い写真を見るのが好きです。

    I like looking at old photos.

Quick check

What does "古い" mean?

  • A. old (thing)
  • B. beautiful
  • C. bad
  • D. expensive

First quiz is free.

Want more?

SimpleLits Pro unlocks alternate example sentences, audio pronunciation, the full quiz pack, and save-to-deck spaced repetition.

See Pro plans

Also see