ふるい vs. むかし：Don’t You Still Know What They Are?

2022年2月26日

0226-2022-furui-vs-mukashi-learn-japanese-online-how-to-speak-japanese-language-for-beginners-basic-study-in-japan

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ふるい vs. むかし：Don’t You Still Know What They Are?

What is the difference between “ふるい(furui) and むかし(mukashi)”? Which is used as the meaning “old”? After reading this, you would be answering this question. Let me introduce what their subtle differences are and how you correctly use them such as native speakers today!

ふるい (furui)

Old / 旧 / 오래된 / Cũ

“ふるい(furui)” means “Old” and which has been used as the meaning of “in or from the past”. The basic ways to use it are that “___はふるい。(___ is old.)”, etc. For instance, “車くるまはふるい。(The car is old.)”, “本ほんはふるい。(The book is old.)”, “このパソコンはふるい。(This computer is old.)”, etc. The tips for using it are that “SOMETHING HAS EXCITED FOR A LONG TIME.”, unlike “むかし”. Everyone could use “ふるい” as casual and polite such as “このパソコンはふるいよ。(This computer is old.)” as casual and “このパソコンはふるいです。(This computer is old.)” as polite and formal. Lastl, Kanji of “ふるい” is “古ふるい”.

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Sample

yuka

そんなに古ふるいの？ (Is it really that old?) (有那么旧吗？) (그렇게 오래되었어?) (Nó cũ đến thế rồi sao?)

tatsuya

お母かあさんは古ふるい携帯けいたいを使つかってます。 (My mother uses an old phone.) (我妈妈用的是旧手机。) (엄마는 오래된 휴대폰을 사용하고 있습니다.) (Mẹ tôi đang dùng chiếc điện thoại di động cũ.)

yuka

お父とおさんは考かんがえ方かたが古ふるいです。 (My father has old-fashioned values.) (爸爸的思想过时了。) (아빠는 낡은 사고방식을 가지고 있습니다.) (Bố tôi suy nghĩ rất cổ hủ.)

tatsuya

この本ほんはそんなに古ふるくないよ。 (This book isn’t that old.) (这本书没那么旧。) (이 책은 그렇게 오래된 책이 아니야.) (Cuốn sách này không cũ đến mức như thế đâu.)

むかし (mukashi)

Used to, A long time ago / 以前 / 옛날 / Ngày xưa

“むかし(mukashi)” means “Used to or A long time ago.” and which has been used as the meaning of “done or experienced in the past, but no longer done or experienced”. The basic ways to use it are that “むかしは＿＿＿。(I used to ___.)”, etc. For instance, “むかしは太ふとってた。(I used to be overweight.)”, “むかしはたばこを吸すっていた。(I used to smoke.)”, “彼かれはむかし知しり合あった人ひとです。(He’s someone I met a long time ago.)”, etc. The tips for using it are that “HAVING PREVIOUSLY BEEN A PARTICULAR THING.”, unlike “ふるい”. Everyone could use “むかし” as casual and polite such as “むかしは太ふとってたよ。(I used to be overweight.)” as casual and “むかしは太ふとっていました。(I used to be overweight.)” as polite and formal. Kanji of “むかし” is “昔むかし“.