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図書 (としょ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

図と書しょ

also: ずしょ

と

しょ

Common word›JLPTN3›Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

1

books; publications

General term for books and bound publications, often used in institutional contexts like libraries or schools.

図と書しょ館かんで図と書しょを借かりる。
I borrow books from the library.

学がっ校こうの図と書しょ室しつは静しずかだ。

The school library room is quiet.

Usage patterns

図と書しょを借かりるto borrow books (from a library)
図と書しょ館かんで図と書しょを借かりることができます。
You can borrow books from the library.
図と書しょを購こう入にゅうするto purchase books (for a library or institution)
学がっ校こうは毎まい年とし新あたらしい図と書しょを購こう入にゅうしている。
The school purchases new books every year.
図と書しょを返へん却きゃくするto return books (to a library)
借かりた図と書しょは二に週しゅう間かん以い内ないに返へん却きゃくしてください。
Please return borrowed books within two weeks.

Kanji

図map, drawing, plan
書write

Related words

本ほんN5
本 is the everyday word for 'book', while 図書 is a more formal term used in institutional contexts like libraries.
書しょ籍せきN2
書籍 is a formal term for books used mainly in publishing and commerce, while 図書 has the same formality but is tied to library and school contexts.
書しょ物もつN3
図書 is a formal, institutional term for books (as in 図書館 'library'), while 書物 emphasizes the book itself as a literary or physical work.

Don't confuse with

辞じ書しょN5
図書 (としょ) sounds similar to 辞書 (じしょ) but means 'books' in general, whereas 辞書 specifically means 'dictionary'.
書しょ類るいN4
書類 means paperwork or documents, while 図書 means books or publications despite the similar-looking kanji.

Counted with

冊さつN1
counter for books; counter for volumes · volume; book

Word family· 16

図と書しょ館かんN5
library
図と書しょ室しつN1
library (small, often single-room); reading room
図と書しょ係がかり
librarian; person in charge of a library

Written forms

図書Usage100%
- としょ
  Standard kanji spelling; high-frequency word.
- ずしょ
  out-dated reading

Etymology

A Sino-Japanese compound of 図 “drawings; maps” and 書 “writings; books,” used collectively for books and publications.

図と書しょ券けん

book gift certificate; book token

図と書しょ費ひ

book budget; library materials budget

Show 6 more

参さん考こう図と書しょ
reference book; reference work
図と書しょ委い員いん
student library assistant; library committee member
図と書しょ目もく録ろく
book catalogue; library catalogue; card catalogue
図と書しょ館かん員いん
library clerk; librarian
図と書しょ館かん長ちょう
chief librarian; head librarian
推すい薦せん図と書しょ
recommended books; recommended reading

See all 16 in Explore →

ずしょ

out-dated reading

Obsolete kana reading; included for historical reference.