年代物(ねんだいもの)

ねんだいもの
noun
vintage item; antique; something old and valued
daily-life
1. vintage item; antique; aged item of value
An object that has aged over many years and is valued for its age, history, or craftsmanship. Can refer to wine, furniture, instruments, and other collectibles.
年代物(ねんだいもの)のワインを開(あ)ける。
To open a vintage wine.
このピアノは年代物(ねんだいもの)で、百年(ひゃくねん)以上(いじょう)の歴史(れきし)がある。
This piano is a vintage piece with over a hundred years of history.
祖父(そふ)の蔵(くら)から年代物(ねんだいもの)の日本酒(にほんしゅ)が見(み)つかった。
An aged sake was found in my grandfather's storehouse.
2. something old and worn; dated item
Used humorously or self-deprecatingly to describe something that is simply old, outdated, or showing its age.
うちのテレビは年代物(ねんだいもの)だ。
Our TV is a relic.
この車(くるま)はかなりの年代物(ねんだいもの)だけど、まだ走(はし)る。
This car is pretty old, but it still runs.
年代物(ねんだいもの)のパソコンをだましだまし使(つか)っている。
I'm coaxing along an ancient computer, making it work somehow.

Composed of 年代(ねんだい) (era/age) + 物(もの) (thing). The word has a dual character: it can express admiration for something's age and provenance (sense 1), or it can be used with gentle humor about something that is simply old and outdated (sense 2). Context and tone determine which reading applies.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 骨董品(こっとうひん): antique — specifically collected as art or curio
  • ヴィンテージ: vintage — loanword, used mainly for wine and fashion
  • 古物(こぶつ): old article — more neutral, used in legal/commercial contexts

Related Words

Compare: 骨董品(こっとうひん) (antique)
Compare: 古物(こぶつ) (old article)
general
Added 2026.4.6 3:28 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
22000/22323_nendaimono