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N4

Kanji 古: meanings, readings, and example words.

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Kanji 古: old

Key takeaways

Kanji 古: old. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

N4

Meaning

old

On reading

Kun reading

ふる.いふる--ふる.す

Radical

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 古

old

Kanji structure breakdown

Structure breakdown

十 + 口

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

A story passed down through ten (十) mouths (口) must be very old. It represents something ancient that has been told for ten generations.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

  • 考古学こうこがく

    archaeology

  • 古代こだい

    ancient times / early history

  • 稽古けいこ

    practice / training / study

  • 古典こてん

    classics / old literature / classical

  • 中古ちゅうこ

    used / second-hand

Kun reading

ふる.い
  • 古いふるい

    old (not for people)

Commonly used words

  • 考古学
    こうこがく

    archaeology

  • 古代
    こだい

    ancient times / early history

  • 稽古
    けいこ

    practice / training / study

  • 古典
    こてん

    classics / old literature / classical

  • 中古
    ちゅうこ

    used / second-hand

  • 古い
    ふるい

    old (not for people)

Example sentences

Example 1

いにしえの建物を見に行った。

Translation

I went to see an ancient building.

Example 2

いにしえの文化を学ぶのは楽しい。

Translation

It's enjoyable to study ancient culture.

Example 3

大学で考学を勉強しています。

Translation

I am studying archaeology at university.

Example 4

学の発見は歴史を変えた。

Translation

Archaeological discoveries changed history.

Kanji 古: old | Daily Nihongo