新書(しんしょ)

しんしょ
noun
pocket-sized nonfiction book; shinsho
education
1. pocket-sized nonfiction book; shinsho
A distinctive Japanese book format, typically 17-18 cm tall and published as part of a numbered series by major publishers. Shinsho are usually nonfiction works aimed at general readers, covering topics like current affairs, science, history, and philosophy in an accessible style.
この新書(しんしょ)は読(よ)みやすい。
This shinsho is easy to read.
駅(えき)の書店(しょてん)で新書(しんしょ)を一冊(いっさつ)買(か)った。
I bought a pocket-sized book at the station bookshop.
岩波(いわなみ)新書(しんしょ)は日本(にほん)で最(もっと)も歴史(れきし)のある新書(しんしょ)シリーズだ。
Iwanami Shinsho is the oldest pocket-book series in Japan.

Cultural note

新書(しんしょ) is a uniquely Japanese publishing format launched by Iwanami Shoten in 1938. Major publishers each maintain their own 新書(しんしょ) line (岩波(いわなみ)新書(しんしょ), 中公(ちゅうこう)新書(しんしょ), 講談社(こうだんしゃ)現代(げんだい)新書(しんしょ), etc.). They are affordable, slim volumes designed for commuters and general readers.

Common collocations

Usage

Do not confuse with 新刊(しんかん) (new publication) or 文庫(ぶんこ) (bunko, a different pocket-book format that reprints fiction and classics in an even smaller size).

Related Words

Compare: 文庫本(ぶんこぼん) (paperback book, pocket-sized book)
Related: 文庫(ぶんこ) (paperback pocket edition)
general
Added 2026.3.12 17:56 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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