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Japanese vocabulary · Beginner
How do you say "old (thing)" in Japanese?
古い
Furui
In Japanese, "old (thing)" is 古い (Furui).
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Pronunciation
古い is written using kanji. Romanised as Furui, it sounds roughly like "foo-roo-ee" to an English ear.
Writing and usage
Furui (古い) is an i-adjective for old objects or buildings. Using it to describe a person sounds disrespectful; instead use toshiue (older) or otoshiyori (elderly).
Example sentence
この建物はとても古いです。
Kono tatemono wa totemo furui desu.
This building is very old.
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How to remember 古い
The kanji 古 looks like a simple box with a cross inside, suggesting something from ancient times or from a long time ago.
Related words
Browse all Japanese words in the glossary.
Questions about 古い
How do you pronounce 古い?
古い is romanised as Furui. Say it roughly like "foo-roo-ee" in English. Each Japanese syllable has even weight, so keep the rhythm steady.
Is 古い formal or casual?
古い is a neutral, everyday word that works in both casual and polite speech. The level of formality comes from the sentence structure around it, not from the word itself.
How is 古い written in Japanese?
古い is written using kanji. Furui (古い) is an i-adjective for old objects or buildings.
Where can I practice Japanese words for free?
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"Old (thing)" in other languages
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