1.
previous model; existing product; conventional product
A product that has been on sale or in use until now, implicitly being contrasted with a new, improved, or different version. Typical in product marketing, press releases, and technical comparisons where a manufacturer emphasizes what the new product does better than the previous lineup.
Compound of 従来 ('up to now; conventional; existing') and 品 ('product; item'). Implies a comparison — the word is almost always used when contrasting a previous product with a new, different, or improved one.
Usage
- Standard vocabulary in advertising copy, product brochures, and technical documents.
- Often appears with 比べて ('compared to') or より ('than'): 従来品と比べて, 従来品より.
- Not inherently negative about the older product; simply positions it as the baseline.
- For 'conventional methods' or 'traditional approaches' more generally, use 従来の方法 / 従来のやり方, not 従来品.
Common collocations
- 従来品と比べて: compared to the previous model
- 従来品より軽い: lighter than the previous model
- 従来品との違い: the difference from the previous model
- 従来品の後継モデル: successor to the previous model
- 従来品と互換性がある: to be compatible with the previous model
Similar words
- 既存品: existing product — emphasizes that the item is already on the market; overlaps with 従来品 but focuses on current existence rather than implicit comparison.
- 旧型: old model — similar in meaning but sounds more colloquial and can feel more clearly 'outdated'.
- 新製品: new product — the counterpart that 従来品 is typically contrasted with.
- 最新型: latest model — emphasizes being the newest version.