Japanese word

古い

Pronunciation

Romajifurui

Meaning

  • i-adjectiveold

Example

この時計は古いです。ko no tokei wa furu i de su

This clock is old.

Illustration for 古い (old)

More examples

この靴は古いです。ko no kutsu wa furu i de su

These shoes are old.

このかばんは古いですが、まだ使えます。ko no ka ba n wa furu i de su ga ma da tsuka e ma su

This bag is old, but I can still use it.

Core concept

Describes something that has existed for a long time and is no longer new.

Common phrases

  • 古い映画furu i ei ga

    old movie

  • 古い車furu i kuruma

    old car

  • 古い歌furu i uta

    old song

Similar words

昔っぽいmukashippoi: Describes something that has the look or feel of an earlier period.
古臭いfurukusai: Describes a style, idea, or object that seems old-fashioned and lacks freshness.

Definition in Japanese

作られてから長い時間がたち、新しくない。tsuku ra re te ka ra naga i ji kan ga ta chi atara shi ku na i

Word origin

古い (furui) is a native Japanese adjective historically related to 古し (furushi), the classical form meaning "old".

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 古い (furui) can describe either age or outdatedness, so context shows whether something is simply aged or no longer modern.

Opposites

Related words

  • 古びるfurubirugrow oldverb

Word lists with this word