Kanji 版 printing block, printing plate, edition 判 judgement, judgment, signature Related words 文ぶん 庫こ 本ぼん 文庫本 is a smaller, mass-market paperback (A6 size), while 新書版 is slightly larger and often used for more serious or topical works.
単たん 行こう 本ぼん 単行本 is a standard hardcover or trade paperback, typically larger than 新書版 and not part of a specific series format.
Written forms 新しん 書しょ 版ばん
Standard kanji spelling for this book format.
新しん 書しょ 判ばん
Alternate kanji spelling using 判 (size/format).
Etymology Compound of 新書 (shinsho, 'new book') and 版 (ban, 'edition'). The term refers to a specific Japanese book format that became popular in the mid-20th century.
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