Japanese Conversation · Level 106
60 words
Japanese word
図書
Pronunciation
Romajitosho
Meaning
- nounbooks
Example
学校の図書を整理します。gak kō no to sho o sei ri shi ma su
I organize the school books.
More examples
読み終わった図書は、元の場所に戻してください。yo mi o wa tta to sho wa moto no ba sho ni modo shi te ku da sa i
Please return the books you have finished reading to their original place.
Core concept
Refers to a book as a collected written work that presents knowledge, stories, or other content.
Common phrases
図書を借りるto sho o ka ri ru
borrow books
図書を返すto sho o kae su
return books
Similar words
本hon: The everyday word for a written work in book form, whether for reading or study.
Definition in Japanese
知識や物語などをまとめて記した本や書物。chi shiki ya monogatari na do o ma to me te shiru shi ta hon ya sho motsu
Word origin
図書 (tosho) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 図 (to, "drawing or plan") and 書 (sho, "writing or book"), referring to a written work.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, 本 (hon) is more common than the formal word 図書 (tosho), which appears in compounds such as 図書館 (toshokan).