tsundoku
つんどく
Tsundoku refers to the habit of acquiring books and letting them pile up in one's home without actually reading them. It is a portmanteau of "tsunde-oku" (to stack things up for later) and "dokusho" (reading books). While it might sound like a negative habit of procrastination, it is often viewed affectionately by book lovers. The mental image is of a growing tower of unread literature that represents a person's intellectual aspirations and the comfort of being surrounded by stories waiting to be discovered.
In conversation
A messy bookshelf
I really need to stop buying more novels, my shelves are overflowing!
I really need to stop buying more novels, my shelves are overflowing!
Don't worry, it's just classic tsundoku. You're building a library for your future self.
Don't worry, it's just classic tsundoku. You're building a library for your future self.
Used here to normalize the guilt of buying unread books.
Discussing a bookstore haul
I bought five new books today, even though I have ten at home unread.
I bought five new books today, even though I have ten at home unread.
That is the definition of tsundoku! I’m the same way.
That is the definition of tsundoku! I’m the same way.
Used to bond over a shared, slightly humorous habit.
Examples
My room is full of tsundoku.
わたしの へやは つんどくだらけです。
My room is full of tsundoku.
I promised myself I wouldn't buy more, but I fell into the trap of tsundoku again.
もう かわないと きめたのに、また つんどくしてしまいました。
I promised myself I wouldn't buy more, but I fell into the trap of tsundoku again.
The aesthetic of a room filled with books often implies a peaceful, if slightly overwhelming, state of tsundoku.
ほんが たくさんある へやの ふんいきは、つんどくの じょうたいを あらわすことが おおいです。
The aesthetic of a room filled with books often implies a peaceful, if slightly overwhelming, state of tsundoku.
