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Japanese Word for People Who Own Too Many Books
On more than one occasion, we've told you getting rid of old books is one of the easiest ways to declutter your home. After all, if you've already read them or (even worse) have no plans to read them any time soon, the only purpose they're serving is collecting dust.
There's a Japanese Word for People Who Own Too Many Books
Tsundoku:
The official definition of "tsundoku" is the stockpiling of books that will never be consumed.
(Do they know me!?)
The word is a combination of several Japanese words, including "tsunde," which means to stack things; "oku," which means to leave for a while; and "doku," which means to read. Sadly, there's no direct synonym in English.
Thought this was a good fit for our growing list of there is no way to say this succinctly in English words.
Also with the advent of E-books I wonder if we'll ever see a modified version of this?




Mmmmmh let's see here.
"Tsunde" - yes, from tsumu - that one checks out.
"Oku" - alright, I'll give them this, it's a rare meaning and it's more accurately "to leave something in its current state".
"Doku" - ...........no. . To read is "yomu". It's only "doku" in compound words; you CANNOT read it like that alone. I'm calling shenanigans.
Haha thanks. I've seen this one a few times so it's making rounds. I should poke @Pipsy she might have some additional info.
I may just be extra cantankerous today as I've had my splint off and am now in a cast. I can write again! And I have writer's block. >:|
積ん読 - tsundoku - from tsumu (to amass, to pile up) and doku (to read) - is a real word, yes, used to refer to many unread books. Nothing to do with oku (to put, to place).
Interesting! Japanese is a tricksy language. I've been trying to learn bits and pieces.
Damn right it's a tricksy language 😅 There are even some rare kanji for which there is literally no way of reading them aloud which is just wtf
Yes, there we go. I was being thrown off by that oku part. Pipsy is correct!
what are those even, why are they
I know right!? That boggles my mind!
I can't type any because I don't even know if our computer interfaces would be able to interpret them 😱 There was one I remember which is like kanjified onomatopoeia in a way, as in it's specifically to do with the sound that the layer of film on a bone makes when it's being peeled off, and my reaction when I learned about it (and even now tbh) is like... why would you ever feel the urge to specifically describe that noise anyway 😶
Hahahaha that's terrible and terrific simultaneously.
The dictionary I use has a fair few. I boggle every time I find one.
"Bibliohoard"
That makes me think of a hobbit house full of books. Hahaha
Wouldn't that be a Bilbohoard?
I haven't had coffee yet. Don't judge me!
A great word! I like it - even though I don't believe there is such a thing as too many books!
The quote under the photograph says "if you've already read them or (even worse) have no plans to read them any time soon..." What? Who only reads books once? I do not understand the concept.
Actually, I remember hearing a colleague speak at a conference once, saying he never re-read books, but if he liked a book he'd read other things by the same author. I was surprised. I couldn't contemplate not re-reading a favourite book.
And, of course, because I am a re-reader, I guess I'm tsundoku as well.
Agreed definitely no such thing as too many books...
Unless you're a charity shop and the book is by Dan Brown that is... source
(Found that funny funny news the other day and now have to share at every opportunity).
PERFECT. We have the most absurd collection of books. Not only mine and my partner's but all my mother's books as well. These include a fantastic collection of German books in gothic print that, even if I read German perfectly (which I don't), would take me a lifetime to decipher. TSUNDOKU.
That sounds lovely.
I have to admit that the shelves in the photo that came with this article are immensely appealing to me.
Floor-to-ceiling books always makes a room feel great. I'm redoing an upstairs room as our office. My plan is to put all our reference books up here, along with magazine collections, DVD movies, and spillover vinyl. That means shelves all around. I'm still trying to figure out the best way to do it.