図書館
toshokan[to̞ɕo̞kã̠ɴ]
The English word library is translated into Japanese as 図書館 (toshokan). Wiktionary also lists 文庫 (bunko) and 書庫 (shoko).
Meaning: institution which holds books, etc. (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 図書館 | toshokan | [to̞ɕo̞kã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
| 文庫 | bunko | [bɯ̟̃ŋko̞] (narrow) |
| 書庫 | shoko |
図書館 is the standard term used for municipal, university or school libraries. In a library setting, you might use phrases such as 本を借りる (to borrow a book), 本を返す (to return a book) or 本を予約する (to reserve a book).
What does it mean word for word?
The word 図書館 is composed of three parts: 図 (to), meaning diagram or drawing.
Which one should you use?
Use 図書館 for a public or academic library building. In contrast, 文庫 refers to a smaller collection or a specific series of paperback books, while 書庫 is used to refer specifically to a book stack or an archive room where books are stored, rather than the entire library institution.
How do you pronounce it?
toshokan
Did you know?
- The term 文庫 (bunko) refers not just to a private library, but to a specific format of tiny, palm-sized paperback books that Japanese commuters often read on trains.
- Historically, 文庫 referred to the physical storage boxes or shelves used to hold scrolls before books were bound into codices.
- The suffix 館 used in 図書館 is a common way to name large public buildings, such as 'concert hall' or 'museum', rather than just any building.
Examples in context
- 図書館にいるの？Are you in the library?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is currently at the library.Tatoeba #8746567 by bunbuku, translation #2646108 by CK
- ここは図書館です。This is a library.This sentence is useful for identifying a building as a library.Tatoeba #13228496 by small_snow, translation #10998033 by CK
- 図書館はどこですか。Where is the library?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of the library.Tatoeba #143866 by small_snow, translation #270700 by CK
- 私は図書館に行って本を借りました。I went to the library and borrowed a book.
- 明日、図書館で勉強します。Tomorrow, I will study at the library.
- すみません、図書館はどこですか？Excuse me, where is the library?
- 213 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are talking about studying near their university.
- 美咲 Misaki図書館で勉強しませんか？Toshokan de benkyou shimasen ka?Shall we study at the library?
- 大翔 Hirotoいいですね、行きましょう。Ii desu ne, ikimashou.That sounds good, let's go.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔さんは、いつも図書館に行きますか？Hiroto-san wa, itsumo toshokan ni ikimasu ka?Hiroto, do you always go to the library?
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、よく行きますよ。Hai, yoku ikimasu yo.Yes, I go there often.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “library” translations and entries 図書館, 文庫, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
