古物(こぶつ)

こぶつ
noun
secondhand goods; antiques; used articles
business
1. secondhand goods; used articles
Previously owned items that are resold. A legal and commercial term covering anything from used clothing to electronics.
古物(こぶつ)を売(う)る。
To sell secondhand goods.
古物商(こぶつしょう)の許可(きょか)を取(と)った。
I obtained a secondhand dealer's license.
このアプリでは個人(こじん)でも古物(こぶつ)の売買(ばいばい)ができる。
With this app, even individuals can buy and sell used goods.
2. antiques; curios
Old objects valued for their age, craftsmanship, or historical significance. Overlaps with sense 1 but emphasizes the collectible or aesthetic value.
珍(めずら)しい古物(こぶつ)を集(あつ)める。
To collect rare antiques.
蔵(くら)の中(なか)から貴重(きちょう)な古物(こぶつ)が見(み)つかった。
Valuable antiques were found inside the storehouse.
古物(こぶつ)市(いち)で江戸時代(えどじだい)の陶器(とうき)を手(て)に入(い)れた。
I got my hands on Edo-period pottery at an antiques market.

Composed of 古(こ) (old) and 物(ぶつ) (thing, object). In everyday use, 古物(こぶつ) straddles two domains: the legal/commercial world of secondhand trading and the cultural world of antique collecting.

In Japan, anyone who buys and sells used goods commercially must hold a 古物商(こぶつしょう)許可証(きょかしょう) (secondhand dealer's permit) under the 古物営業法(こぶつえいぎょうほう) (Secondhand Articles Dealer Act). This makes the word common in business and legal contexts.

Common collocations

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 中古品(ちゅうこひん) (secondhand item)
Compare: 骨董品(こっとうひん) (antique)
Compare: 廃品(はいひん) (discarded goods, junk)
Compare: 年代物(ねんだいもの) (vintage item)
general
Added 2026.4.18 3:27 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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