Translation and Meaning of: 図書 - tosho

The Japanese word 「図書」 (tosho) is commonly translated as "book" or "collection of books," often used in the context of a library or collection of written works. The word is composed of two kanji characters: 「図」 (zu) and 「書」 (sho). The first character, 「図」, can be translated as "illustration," "drawing," or "plan," and carries the idea of something visual or that provides information graphically. The second character, 「書」, means "to write" or "book," directly referring to writing and literature.

The origin of these kanji dates back to ancient China, during the period when Chinese characters began to be adapted for the Japanese language, around the 5th century. In the context of Japanese culture, the combination of the two characters in the term 「図書」 gave rise to the meaning associated with books or collections of books organized systematically, as in a library, which in Japanese is called 「図書館」 (toshokan). Thus, the word is closely tied to the concept of storing knowledge in an organized and accessible way.

The use of the term 「図書」 is quite common and frequently appears in educational and literary contexts. It serves both as a singular noun and to indicate a group of books, and thus can be found in formal situations, such as in school or academic documents, as well as in more casual environments, like in a bookstore or library. By exploring its use more deeply, we realize the importance that the collection and dissemination of books have in Japanese culture and in the transmission of knowledge across generations.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 書籍 (Shoseki) - Books, publications; written works.
• 本 (Hon) - Book; used to refer to works in general.
• 書物 (Shomotsu) - Written documents; books.{refers to a collection or type of publication.}
• 著作 (Chosaku) - Work; written or published pieces, usually by a specific author.
• 文献 (Bunken) - Literature; written references, particularly in academic contexts.
• 本書 (Honsho) - This book refers to the current book in question.
• 本文 (Honbun) - Main text; the central content of the book or document.
• 著者 (Chosha) - Author; the person who wrote a work.
• 著作家 (Chosakuka) - Writer; someone who dedicates themselves to the creation of literary works.

図書

Romaji: tosho
Kana: としょ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: livros

Meaning in English: books

Definition: Materials and writings containing books, photographs, drawings, etc.

Example Sentences - (図書) tosho

See below some example sentences:

本館は大きな図書館です。

Honkan wa ookina toshokan desu

The main library is large.

The main building is a large library.

• 本館 - means "main building" or "primary building"
• は - topic particle, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 大きな - adjective that means "big" or "spacious"
• 図書館 - means "library"
• です - verb "to be" in the present, used to indicate the existence or nature of something

図書館に行きたいです。

Toshokan ni ikitai desu

I want to go to the library.

I want to go to the library.

• 図書館 (toshokan) - biblioteca
• に (ni) - Particle that indicates destination or location
• 行きたい (ikitai) - want to go
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

私は明日図書館から本を借りる予定です。

Watashi wa ashita toshokan kara hon wo kariru yotei desu

Eu planejo pegar um livro emprestado da biblioteca amanhã.

Eu pretendo alugar um livro da biblioteca amanhã.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - partícula de tópico que indica o tema da frase, neste caso, "eu"
• 明日 (ashita) - Japanese adverb that means "tomorrow"
• 図書館 (toshokan) - substantivo japonês que significa "biblioteca"
• から (kara) - partícula que indica a origem ou ponto de partida, neste caso, "da biblioteca"
• 本 (hon) - Japanese noun meaning "book"
• を (wo) - partícula de objeto direto que indica o objeto da ação, neste caso, "livro"
• 借りる (kariru) - verbo japonês que significa "emprestar"
• 予定 (yotei) - substantivo japonês que significa "plano" ou "programação"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates formality and courtesy in the Japanese language

私は図書館から本を借りました。

Watashi wa toshokan kara hon o karimashita

I borrowed a book from the library.

I borrowed a book from the library.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 図書館 (toshokan) - noun meaning "biblioteca"
• から (kara) - grammatical particle that indicates origin or starting point
• 本 (hon) - noun meaning "book"
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 借りました (karimashita) - "borrowed"

貸し出しは図書館でできます。

Kashidashi wa toshokan de dekimasu

You can rent it from the library.

• 貸し出し - empréstimo
• は - Topic particle
• 図書館 - biblioteca
• で - Location particle
• できます - can be done