古語
Meanings
archaic word; obsolete word; archaism
A term for words or expressions from older Japanese that are no longer current, or are used only in classical or historical contexts.
Ito okashi is a famous archaic word.
I looked up the meaning of the archaic word in a dictionary.
old saying; old adage
Used for an old saying or maxim. This sense is more literary or set-phrase-like than the common word ことわざ.
As the old saying goes, "More haste, less speed."
old language; ancient language
Refers to an older stage of a language, especially in study of classical Japanese or historical linguistics.
In class, we compared the old language with the modern language.
To read an old language, you need knowledge of grammar different from that of the modern language.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉が古語を使うfor someone to use an archaic word or expression
He deliberately used an archaic word in his speech.
- 古語を研究するto study or research the old (classical) form of a language
She is researching old Japanese at graduate school.
- 古語に「〜」という言葉があるthere is an old saying that goes "..."
There is an old saying, "Three years even on a rock," meaning patience pays off.