Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "古い", "ふるい", "因習", "古活字版"
All represent the core concept "old", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
古い
ふるい (furui)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
ふるい
ふるい (furui)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
因習
いんしゅう (inshū)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
古活字版
こかっじばん (kokatsujiban)
C2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "old" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "古い", "ふるい", "因習", "古活字版" based on context.
- 古い (ふるい (furui) - Level: N5): Maps to "old (not for people), aged" and is used when An い-adjective used for things that are old or worn out. It is NOT used for people.
- ふるい (ふるい (furui) - Level: N5): Maps to "old (not for people)" and is used when An い-adjective. Used for objects, buildings, or things that have existed for a long time. Not used for the age of people. Opposite of 新しい.
- 因習 (いんしゅう (inshū) - Level: N2): Maps to "old custom, tradition (often with a negative connotation of being outdated or rigid)" and is used when Refers specifically to outdated or rigid customs and traditions themselves, rather than the act of clinging to them. It often implies something that should be changed or abandoned..
- 古活字版 (こかっじばん (kokatsujiban) - Level: C2): Maps to "old movable-type edition" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus..
Context for "古い"
この本は古いですが、とても面白いです。
This book is old, but very interesting.
Context for "ふるい"
このカメラはとてもふるいです。
This camera is very old.
Context for "因習"
その村には、いまだに時代遅れの因習が残っている。
Outdated old customs still remain in that village.
Context for "古活字版"
私は古活字版に興味があります。
I am interested in old movable-type edition.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "この本は ＿＿＿ ですが、とても面白いです。" (Meaning: "This book is old, but very interesting.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "古い" is correct here because it represents "old (not for people), aged" in the context: "This book is old, but very interesting.".