Refers to books that are old, antiquarian, or of historical value, not simply secondhand. Often used in contexts like 古書店 (antiquarian bookstore).
彼は古書を集めるのが趣味だ。
His hobby is collecting old books.
His hobby is collecting old books.
この古書店には貴重な古書がたくさんある。
This antiquarian bookstore has many valuable old books.
secondhand book; used book
Used for books that are pre-owned, regardless of age. Often interchangeable with 古本, but 古書 can sound slightly more formal or refer to older used books.
See also: 古本
駅前の古書店で安い古書を買った。
I bought a cheap used book at the secondhand bookstore near the station.
I looked for a rare book at the antiquarian bookstore.
I bought an old map at the used-book fair.
古文書 refers to old historical documents or records, whereas 古書 refers specifically to old or secondhand books.
counter for books; counter for volumes · volume; book
rare book exhibition; antiquarian book fair
secondhand book fair
secondhand bookshop; antiquarian bookshop
palaeography; paleography
Compound of 古 (old) and 書 (book, writing).