アルバム

• Reading: アルバム
• Romaji: arubamu
• Pronunciation: /a.ɾɯ.ba.mɯ/

Meaning

Album; a book or collection for storing photos, stamps, or music recordings.

A loanword from English/German 'album.' Used for both photo albums (写真アルバム) and music albums. In Japan, physical photo albums remain popular, especially for commemorating school years (卒業アルバム, graduation album). Music albums, both physical CDs and digital, are also referred to as アルバム.

Examples

1. 卒業アルバムを見て懐かしくなった。 Looking at the graduation album made me feel nostalgic.
2. 好きなバンドの新しいアルバムが出た。 My favorite band released a new album.
3. 旅行の写真をアルバムにまとめた。 I put the travel photos together in an album.

Usage Guide

Context: photography, music, school

Tone: nostalgic

Origin & History

Borrowed from German/English 'album,' which derives from Latin 'album' (white tablet for writing). Entered Japanese during the Meiji era alongside Western photography culture.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal