Japanese word

古

Pronunciation

Romajiinishie

Meaning

  • nounancient times

Example

私は古に思いをはせます。watashi wa inishie ni omo i o ha se ma su

I think of ancient times.

Illustration for 古 (ancient times)

More examples

博物館で古の人々の暮らしを学びます。haku butsu kan de inishie no hito bito no ku ra shi o mana bi ma su

I learn about the lives of people in ancient times at a museum.

Core concept

Presents the distant past as a separate era that lies well before the present.

Common phrases

  • 古をしのぶinishie o shi no bu

    reminisce about ancient times

Similar words

いにしえinishie: A distant past described in historical or literary language.
昔mukashi: A time that has already passed, including a person's earlier days.

Definition in Japanese

今から遠く離れた昔の時代。ima ka ra tō ku hana re ta mukashi no ji dai

Word origin

古 (inishie, "ancient times") is a native Japanese word whose original formation is uncertain; the kanji 古 (ko, "old") is used for its meaning.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese writing, 古 (inishie) is associated with historical or literary descriptions rather than casual conversation about the past.

Opposites

Related words

  • 古びるfurubirubecome oldverb
  • 古めかしいfurumekashiiold-fashionedi-adjective
  • 古さfurusaoldnessnoun

Word lists with this word