旧約聖書

• Reading: きゅうやくせいしょ
• Romaji: kyuuyaku seisho
• Kanji breakdown: 旧 (kyū) — old, former; 約 (yaku) — promise, covenant; 聖 (sei) — holy, sacred; 書 (sho) — book, writing
• Pronunciation: /kjɯː.ja.kɯ.seː.ɕo/

Meaning

Old Testament. The first part of the Christian Bible, also sacred in Judaism.

A noun referring to the Old Testament of the Bible. 旧約 means 'old covenant/testament' and 聖書 means 'holy book/Bible.' Knowledge of this term is useful for reading about world religions, history, and Western culture in Japanese. Often contrasted with 新約聖書 (New Testament).

Examples

1. 旧約聖書にはたくさんの物語が収められている。 The Old Testament contains many stories.
2. 大学の授業で旧約聖書について学んだ。 I studied the Old Testament in a college class.
3. 旧約聖書と新約聖書の違いを説明できますか。 Can you explain the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament?

Usage Guide

Context: religion, history, literature

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 旧約 (old testament/covenant) + 聖書 (holy book, Bible). 旧 means 'old/former,' 約 means 'promise/covenant,' 聖 means 'holy,' and 書 means 'writing/book.'

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal