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.
高校(こうこう)で古典(こてん)を勉強(べんきょう)した。
I studied classical literature in high school.
源氏物語(げんじものがたり)は日本(にほん)の古典(こてん)の代表作(だいひょうさく)だ。学校(がっこう)でも勉強(べんきょう)する。
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.
この映画(えいが)はSFの古典(こてん)として知(し)られている。
This movie is known as a classic of science fiction.
彼(かれ)の小説(しょうせつ)は発表(はっぴょう)から何十年(なんじゅうねん)も経(た)った今(いま)でも読(よ)まれていて、もう古典(こてん)と言(い)えるだろう。
His novels are still being read decades after publication, so you could call them classics.

古典(こてん) refers to classical works or classics in literature, music, art, and other fields.

Common collocations:

  • 古典(こてん)文学(ぶんがく) (classical literature)
  • 古典(こてん)音楽(おんがく) (classical music)
  • 古典的(こてんてき) (classical, traditional)
  • 古典(こてん)を読(よ)む (to read classics)

In Japanese education:

  • 古典(こてん) as a school subject refers to classical Japanese literature (文語文), including works like 源氏物語(げんじものがたり) and 枕草子(まくらのそうし).

Related: クラシック (classical music, or anything classic in a Western context)

general
Added 2026.1.13 20:15 · Revised 2026.2.7 22:19
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