古来(こらい)

古来(こらい) means "since ancient times" and can function as both a noun and an adverb. It is composed of 古(こ) (old) + 来(らい) (coming from).

Common patterns

• 古来(こらい)より: since ancient times (literary)
• 古来(こらい)から: since ancient times (more conversational)
• 古来(こらい)の知恵(ちえ): wisdom from ancient times
• 古来(こらい)の伝統(でんとう): traditions from ancient times

Similar words

• 昔(むかし)から: from long ago (everyday, conversational)
• 太古(たいこ)の昔(むかし): the remote past (emphasizes remoteness)
• 伝統的(でんとうてき)に: traditionally (focuses on custom, not time)
• 従来(じゅうらい): conventionally, up to now (not as far back as 古来(こらい))

Register

古来(こらい) has a formal, literary tone. In casual speech, 昔(むかし)から is more natural. 古来(こらい) is commonly found in written Japanese, especially when discussing history, culture, or traditions.

Watch out

古来(こらい) already contains 'from', so 古来(こらい)より and 古来(こらい)から are sometimes criticized as redundant, though both are common. 古来(こらい) on its own (日本(にほん)では古来(こらい)、…) is the tidiest choice in careful writing.