古い家
furui ie
Old house
Phrase in 30 Seconds
A simple way to describe a house that has been around for many years.
- Means: A house that is old or aged.
- Used in: Describing where someone lives or looking at real estate.
- Don't confuse: Never use '{古|ふる}い' to describe an elderly person.
Explanation at your level:
Signification
A residence that has existed for a long time.
Contexte culturel
Old houses are often associated with 'Akiya' (abandoned houses) in rural areas, which is a significant social issue. In Kyoto, old houses called 'Machiya' are highly valued and often converted into luxury hotels or shops. Old houses are sometimes said to have spirits like 'Zashiki-warashi' who bring good fortune to the inhabitants. There is a 'retro' boom where young people prefer the 'vintage' feel of old houses over modern apartments.
Use 'O-uchi' for politeness
In casual but polite conversation, use '{古|ふる}いお{家|うち}' to sound more friendly.
Avoid 'Boro-i'
Never use '{襤褸|ぼろ}い' (shabby) for someone else's house; it's very insulting.
Signification
A residence that has existed for a long time.
Use 'O-uchi' for politeness
In casual but polite conversation, use '{古|ふる}いお{家|うち}' to sound more friendly.
Avoid 'Boro-i'
Never use '{襤褸|ぼろ}い' (shabby) for someone else's house; it's very insulting.
Adjective Order
You can stack adjectives: '{古|ふる}くて{大|おお}きい{家|いえ}' (An old and big house).
Teste-toi
Choose the correct adjective to describe an old house.
この{家|いえ}はとても（ ）です。
In a simple 'A is B' sentence, the dictionary form of the i-adjective is used.
Complete the sentence to say 'I saw an old house'.
{私|わたし}は（ ）を{見|み}ました。
The phrase '{古|ふる}い{家|いえ}' acts as the object of the verb '{見|み}ました'.
Fill in the learner's response.
A: {新|あたら}しい{家|いえ}はいいですね！ B: はい、でも（ ）も{好|す}きです。
The context suggests a preference for old houses despite the praise for new ones.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
When would you say '{古|ふる}い{家|いえ}ですね'?
The phrase is used for aged buildings, not people or new objects.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Types of Houses
Age
- • {新|あたら}しい{家|いえ}
- • {古|ふる}い{家|いえ}
- • {築古|ちくふる}
Style
- • {古民家|こみんか}
- • アパート
- • マンション
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, never use 'furui' for people. Use 'toshiyori' or 'nenpai'.
'Ie' is more formal/objective, 'uchi' is more personal/casual.
It's a specific type of traditional Japanese old house, usually wooden.
Use 'totemo furui ie' or 'sugoku furui ie'.
Usually yes, but renovated 'Kominka' can be very expensive.
Yes, but 'furui apaato' or 'furui manshon' is more specific.
No, it can imply history and charm, especially in tourist areas.
'Atarashii ie' (new house) or 'shinchiku'.
It is written as '{古|ふる}い{家|いえ}'.
No, use 'furui o-tera'. 'Ie' is only for residences.
Expressions liées
{古民家|こみんか}
specialized formTraditional Japanese folk house
{空|あ}き{家|や}
similarAbandoned/empty house
{新築|しんちく}
contrastNewly built house
{築古|ちくふる}
specialized formOld building (real estate term)
Où l'utiliser
Real Estate Search
Learner: このアパートはちょっと{古|ふる}い{家|いえ}ですね。
Agent: はい、でも{家賃|やちん}はとても{安|やす}いですよ。
Visiting Grandparents
Grandma: ここは{古|ふる}い{家|いえ}だから、{寒|さむ}いでしょう？
Learner: いいえ、とても{素敵|すてき}な{家|いえ}です。
Sightseeing in Kyoto
Friend: あの{古|ふる}い{家|いえ}を{見|み}てください！
Learner: わあ、きれいですね。{写真|しゃしん}を{撮|と}りましょう。
Talking about a Cafe
Friend: このカフェ、{古|ふる}い{家|いえ}を{使|つか}っているんだって。
Learner: おしゃれだね。{行|い}ってみよう！
Moving House
Neighbor: {新|あたら}しい{家|いえ}はどうですか？
Learner: まえの{家|いえ}より{古|ふる}い{家|いえ}ですが、{広|ひろ}いです。
Watching a Horror Movie
Friend: この{映画|えいが}の{舞台|ぶたい}は{古|ふる}い{家|いえ}だよ。
Learner: こわそうですね...
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Fruit' ({古|ふる}い sounds like 'furu-i') tree growing next to an old house.
Visual Association
Imagine a weathered wooden house with a mossy roof and a large, creaky front door under a setting sun.
Rhyme
{古|ふる}い{家|いえ}、{味|あじ}があるね、いい{家|いえ}。(Furui ie, aji ga aru ne, ii ie.)
Story
Once there was a small cat who only liked to sleep in a {古|ふる}い{家|いえ} because the wooden floors were warm and the history made it cozy.
Word Web
Défi
Try to find a picture of a traditional Japanese house online and describe it using '{古|ふる}い{家|いえ}' and one other adjective (like '{美|うつく}しい' - beautiful).
In Other Languages
Casa vieja
Adjective placement is reversed.
Vieille maison
The adjective 'vieille' changes form based on the feminine noun 'maison'.
Altes Haus
German requires adjective endings (altes) based on the gender of the noun.
بيت قديم (Bayt qadim)
The adjective follows the noun and must match in gender and definiteness.
老房子 (Lǎo fángzi)
In Chinese, you can use the same 'old' for people, which is a major pitfall for Japanese learners.
오래된 집 (Oraedoen jip)
Korean often uses '오래된' (passed a long time) rather than just 'old' for buildings.
Casa velha
Adjective follows the noun.
Старый дом (Staryy dom)
Adjective must decline for case and gender.
Easily Confused
Learners think it means 'elderly person'.
Remember: {古|ふる}い is for things, not people.
Both mean 'not new'.
'{中古|ちゅうこ}' specifically means 'second-hand' or 'pre-owned'.
FAQ (10)
No, never use 'furui' for people. Use 'toshiyori' or 'nenpai'.
'Ie' is more formal/objective, 'uchi' is more personal/casual.
It's a specific type of traditional Japanese old house, usually wooden.
Use 'totemo furui ie' or 'sugoku furui ie'.
Usually yes, but renovated 'Kominka' can be very expensive.
Yes, but 'furui apaato' or 'furui manshon' is more specific.
No, it can imply history and charm, especially in tourist areas.
'Atarashii ie' (new house) or 'shinchiku'.
It is written as '{古|ふる}い{家|いえ}'.
No, use 'furui o-tera'. 'Ie' is only for residences.
