How to say "book" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 本ほんnounThe default word for a book or volume you read. Use it in everyday contexts such as reading, buying, or borrowing a book; it also covers a script for a performance.
- nounA loanword covering the same 'book' sense. It typically appears in borrowed or product-style expressions rather than as the ordinary word for a book you are reading, so 本 is usually the safer choice.
- 書籍しょせきnounCovers books as publications, especially in commercial, retail, or publishing contexts such as book sales or listings. It sounds businesslike and is not the word for a book you are simply reading.
- 書物しょもつnounA slightly literary word for a book or volume, suited to writing or talk with a reflective tone, such as books that shaped someone's thinking. In plain everyday speech 本 is more natural.
- 冊子さっしnounCovers a booklet, pamphlet, or small story book rather than a full-size book. Use it for thin bound publications like instruction or information pamphlets; for ordinary books, 本 is the word you want.
Use 本 for ordinary books, 「ブック」 for loanword or product-name contexts, 書籍 for books as commercial/publication items, 書物 for books in a literary or reflective tone, and 冊子 for booklets and pamphlets.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 本ほんbook
- ブックbook
- 書籍しょせきbook
- 書物しょもつbook
- 冊子さっしbook
- 著作ちょさくwriting (a book)
- 著ちょ(written) work
- 著書ちょしょ(written) work
- 著述ちょじゅつwriting
- 申し込むもうしこむto apply for
- 書しょbook
- 書巻しょかんbook (usu. old)
- 帳ちょうbook
- 書冊しょさつbook
- 成書せいしょbook
- 文学書ぶんがくしょbook
- ご本ごほんbook
- 書史しょしbook (esp. Confucian classics and historical records)
- 貸し切るかしきるto reserve (for exclusive use)
- 述作じゅっさくwriting (a book)
- 一篇いっぺんpiece (e.g. poetry)
- 簿冊ぼさつ(bound) book
- 文ふみbook
- 書誌しょしbook
See also
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