This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

温故知新

温古知新

Reading

Kana: おんこちしん
Romaji: onkochishin
Kana
Romaji

Definition

1

developing new ideas based on study of the past; learning from the past

Note: yojijukugo

Kanji

Readings: オン、 あたた.か、 あたた.かい、 あたた.まる、 あたた.める、 ぬく
Meaning: warm
Readings: コ、 ゆえ、 ふる.い、 もと
Meanings: happenstance, especially, intentionally, reason, cause, circumstances, the late, therefore, consequently
Readings: チ、 し.る、 し.らせる
Meanings: know, wisdom
Readings: シン、 あたら.しい、 あら.た、 あら-、 にい-
Meaning: new
Readings: コ、 ふる.い、 ふる-、 -ふる.す
Meaning: old

Example Sentence

温故知新(おんこちしん)というからねえ。歴史(れきし)勉強(べんきょう)大切(たいせつ)だよ。
➥They say you should consult the past if you want to learn about the future. History has a lot to teach us.
Full Entry➤