Meaning and Usage
"古い" (ふるい) is an adjective used primarily to describe objects, places, or things that are old, aged, or ancient. It is not typically used to describe people’s age; for people, "年寄り" or other terms are preferred.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "古い" when talking about old books, houses, clothes, or traditions. It can imply something is worn out or simply from a long time ago.
Collocations and Patterns
- 古い本 (ふるい ほん): old book
- 古い友達 (ふるい ともだち): old friend (longtime friend)
- 古い家 (ふるい いえ): old house
Nuances
When used with friends or relationships, "古い友達" means a friend you have known for a long time, not that the friend is old in age. This is a common nuance learners should note.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes mistakenly use "古い" to describe people’s age, which sounds unnatural. Instead, use "年上" (older) or "年寄り" (elderly) for people.
Register
"古い" is a neutral, everyday word suitable for casual and formal contexts.