How to say "classic" in Japanese

• 定番ていばんCommon
  no-adjectiveCovers 'classic' in the sense of a dependable, ever-popular choice — the go-to item that never goes out of fashion, such as a shop's classic product or a menu staple.
  若わかい男女だんじょが人里ひとざと離はなれた洋館ようかんで恐怖きょうふの一夜いちやを過すごすという、ホラーの定番ていばんスタイルだ。↗

  This is a horror staple - young men and women spend a night of terror in an isolated house.
• 古典こてんJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounMeans a classic work, especially a book, and 'the classics' as a body of literature; use it when talking about reading or studying classic texts.
  古典こてんの文学書ぶんがくしょを読よむことは価値かちのあることです。↗

  It is worthwhile reading classical works of literature.
• 古書こしょCommon
  nounReally means an old or rare book, the term for antiquarian volumes; as a translation of 'classic' it is seldom the word you want unless you mean an old book itself.
  彼かれは珍めずらしい古書こしょを見みつけた。↗

  He hit on a rare old book.
• 古典的こてんてきCommon
  na-adjectiveThe adjective form: describes something as classic or classical in style or character, for a work or design that has the feel of the classics.
  もっと古典的こてんてきな顔立かおだちなのかと思おもいきや、今いまの時代じだいでも充分じゅうぶん通用つうようする美形びけいです。↗

  I expected more classical features, but hers is a beauty that would do well even in this age.
• クラシックJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjectiveThe katakana loanword for Western 'classic' and 'classical'; standing alone it refers to classical music, and it also appears for classic styles and designs.

Choose 古典 for classic works (especially books), 古典的 when you need the adjective, 定番 for a dependable go-to choice, 「クラシック」 for Western-style senses like classical music, and 古書 only for old books.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 定番ていばんstandard item
• 古典こてんclassic (work, esp. book)
• 古書こしょold book
• 古典的こてんてきclassical
• 王道的おうどうてきclassic
• 旧典きゅうてんtradition
• 典雅てんがrefined
• 懐かしなつかしdear (old)
• クラシックclassic
• ザquintessential