Translation guide
Refers to a previous version of a book, publication, or other work. In Japanese, this is commonly expressed with specific terms depending on context.
To refer to an older version of a book, magazine, or similar published work.
Standard term for an old edition of a book or publication. Neutral and widely understood.
この本の旧版は絶版です。
The old edition of this book is out of print.
Literally 'old edition', a more descriptive phrase. Slightly less formal than 旧版.
古い版には誤りが多い。
The old edition has many errors.
Used as a modifier before a noun, e.g., 'old edition book'.
旧版の教科書を使っています。
I'm using the old edition textbook.
To refer to an older version of something like software, a document, or a product.
Common for software or digital products. '旧' means old, 'バージョン' is version.
旧バージョンのアプリはサポート終了です。
Support for the old version of the app has ended.
More casual way to say 'old version'. Used in everyday conversation.
古いバージョンだと動かないかもしれない。
It might not work with the old version.
Specifically for an earlier edition of a newspaper on the same day.
Used in newspaper contexts to mean the previous edition. Not common in everyday speech.
前版の記事と内容が違う。
The content is different from the earlier edition.
旧版 is the standard, formal term for an old edition of a book. 古い版 is more descriptive and slightly less formal, often used in casual conversation.
Do not use 旧版 or similar to describe an old person or old age. That would be 老人 (ろうじん) or 年寄り (としより).