Japanese word

古本

Pronunciation

Romajifuruhon

Meaning

  • nounused book

Example

この古本は安いです。ko no furu hon wa yasu i de su

This used book is cheap.

Illustration for 古本 (used book)

More examples

駅前の店で、古本を三冊まとめて買いました。eki mae no mise de furu hon o san satsu ma to me te ka i ma shi ta

I bought three used books at a store near the station.

Core concept

古本 (furuhon) treats a book's previous ownership as its defining feature, not merely the length of time since its publication.

Common phrases

  • 古本を買うfuru hon o ka u

    buy a used book

  • 古本を売るfuru hon o u ru

    sell a used book

  • 古本を探すfuru hon o saga su

    look for a used book

Similar words

中古本chūkohon: A book sold after a previous owner has used it, without necessarily having special age or rarity.
古書kosho: An old book treated as a collectible or source of historical value, whether or not it is inexpensive.

Definition in Japanese

新品ではなく、いったん人の手に渡った本。shin pin de wa na ku i tta n hito no te ni wata tta hon

Word origin

古本 (furuhon) is formed from 古 (furu, "old") and 本 (hon, "book"), and its meaning develops from the idea of a book that is no longer new.

Usage tips

  • 古本 (furuhon) can describe a rare or valuable volume as well as an inexpensive one, because the word indicates prior ownership rather than price.

Word lists with this word