Japanese · Adjectives
古い
furui
Old / Ancient
Beginneradjective
Definition
Describes something of great age or long existence, used for objects and places. For people's age, 年を取った (toshi wo totta) is used instead.
Example
この寺はとても古いです。
This temple is very old.
Etymology
'古い' (furui) is derived from the root '古' (ko), meaning old or ancient, which has been used historically in literature to convey nostalgia or the passage of time.
How & Where It’s Used
'古い' is used in both spoken and written Japanese, often to describe items, traditions, or memories that carry historical significance, applicable in both formal and informal contexts.
Literary Heritage
The term frequently appears in classical literature as well as modern narratives reflecting on heritage and antiquity.