Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "古い", "ふるい", "昔", "老舗", "因襲"
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
昔
むかし (mukashi)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
老舗
しにせ (shinise)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
因襲
いんしゅう (inshū)
N1 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "old" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "古い", "ふるい", "昔", "老舗", "因襲" 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.
- 昔 (むかし (mukashi) - Level: N4): Maps to "old times, ancient times, a long time ago" and is used when Noun or adverb. Refers to a past period, often distant. Commonly used to begin traditional stories.
- 老舗 (しにせ (shinise) - Level: N2): Maps to "old shop, long-established shop/firm" and is used when Refers specifically to a business that has been operating for a long time.
- 因襲 (いんしゅう (inshū) - Level: N1): Maps to "old custom, old tradition, conventionalism, ingrained custom" and is used when 昔からの習慣やしきたりで、特に時代遅れであったり、改めるべきだと考えられるものに対して使われることが多い。ネガティブなニュアンスを含む。.
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 "昔"
昔々、おじいさんとおばあさんがいました。
Once upon a time, there was an old man and an old woman.
Context for "老舗"
この和菓子屋は創業200年の老舗だ。
This Japanese confectionery shop is a long-established business founded 200 years ago.
Context for "因襲"
その村ではいまだに因襲にとらわれた風習が残っている。
Old-fashioned customs still remain in that village.
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.".