古典

• Reading: こてん
• Romaji: koten
• Kanji breakdown: 古 (ko/furu) — old, ancient; 典 (ten) — standard, ceremony, classic
• Pronunciation: /ko.teɴ/

Meaning

Classic; the classics. A work of literature, art, or music that has stood the test of time.

A noun referring to classical works, particularly in literature. In Japanese education, 古典 specifically refers to classical Japanese literature (from the Heian period onward) and is a required subject in high school. Also used more broadly for any enduring masterwork. Common collocations include 古典文学 (koten bungaku, classical literature), 古典的 (koten-teki, classical/classic), and 古典芸能 (koten geinou, classical performing arts such as noh and kabuki).

Examples

1. 源氏物語は日本の古典の中でも最も有名だ。 The Tale of Genji is the most famous of Japan's classical works.
2. 高校の古典の授業が苦手だった。 I was never good at classical Japanese class in high school.
3. 古典を現代語に訳すのは難しい作業だ。 Translating the classics into modern Japanese is a challenging task.

Usage Guide

Context: education, literature, arts

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 古 (ko, old/ancient) + 典 (ten, standard/ceremony/classic). Literally 'old standards' — works from the past that have become benchmarks of quality and importance.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated