古 典(こてん)

こてん

noun, no-adjective

classics, classic work

1. classics, classical literature/art

Traditional works of literature, music, or art from ancient times that are still valued today.

古典(こてん)を読(よ)む。

I read classics.

I studied classical literature in high school.

The Tale of Genji is a masterpiece of Japanese classical literature. We study it in school.

2. classic, classic work

A work that has become a standard or model in its field.

これは古典(こてん)だ。

This is a classic.

This movie is known as a classic of science fiction.

His novels are still being read decades after publication, so you could call them classics.

As a high-school subject, 古典(こてん) covers 古文(こぶん) (classical Japanese, such as 源氏物語(げんじものがたり) and 枕草子(まくらのそうし)) and 漢文(かんぶん) (classical Chinese read as Japanese).

クラシック: the everyday word for Western classical music; 古典(こてん)音楽(おんがく) is more formal and can also mean traditional Japanese music.

Related Words

general

Added 2026.1.13 20:15 · Revised 2026.10.13 3:22

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