Japanese Conversation · Level 69
75 words
Japanese word
古本屋
Pronunciation
Romajifuruhon'ya
Meaning
- nounused bookstore
Example
駅の近くの古本屋で珍しい本を見つけました。eki no chika ku no furu hon ya de mezura shi i hon o mi tsu ke ma shi ta
I found a rare book at a used bookstore.
More examples
休日は、町の古本屋をゆっくり見て回ります。kyū jitsu wa machi no furu hon ya o yu kku ri mi te mawa ri ma su
On my days off, I take my time browsing used bookstores.
Core concept
Describes a place where previously owned books are bought and sold, with an emphasis on browsing and finding older or uncommon titles.
Common phrases
古本屋に立ち寄るfuru hon ya ni ta chi yo ru
stop by a used bookstore
古本屋を巡るfuru hon ya o megu ru
visit used bookstores
Similar words
古書店koshoten: A shop dealing in previously owned books, often including rare or collectible titles.
Definition in Japanese
以前に人の手に渡った本を売買する店。また、その商売をする人。i zen ni hito no te ni wata tta hon o bai bai su ru mise ma ta so no shō bai o su ru hito
Word origin
古本屋 (furuhon'ya) combines 古本 (furuhon, "used book") and 屋 (ya, "shop or dealer"), denoting a shop or dealer that handles used books.
Usage tips
- 古本 (furuhon, "used book") refers to prior ownership, whereas 古い本 (furui hon, "old book") refers only to a book's age.
Other meanings
- secondhand booksellernoun