Meaning
Old / ancient
also used for “used” (like 古本 = used book).
- 古い — old
- 古本 — used book
- 古代 — ancient times
- 古語 — archaic word
- 古典 — classical literature
- 古参 — veteran / old-timer
- 考古学 — archaeology
- 古今東西 — all times and places
This character combines 十 (ten) and 口 (mouth), originally used to express passing down words or messages. Over time, it came to symbolize the idea of “old” or “from the past.”
古い 家に 住んでいます。
I live in an old house.
古本を かいました。
I bought a used book.