古代 (gǔ dài) — ancient times, antiquity

Definition

Refers to a historical period long ago, typically before the modern era. Pairs with 古人 (the people of those times); contrast with 现代 (modern times).

noun

ancient timesantiquity

古代？
gǔ dài De rén zhǔ yào chī shén me ne?
What did people in ancient times mainly eat?
古代。
Wǒ duì gǔ dài de lì shǐ hěn gǎn xìng qù.
I'm very interested in the history of ancient times.
古代。
gǔ dài De kē jì hé xiàn dài hěn bù yí yàng.
The technology in ancient times was very different from modern times.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

古gǔancient

古代 uses 古 'ancient' to specify the 代 'era' as ancient times.

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

One reading of 古 sees a shield-like shape above an open mark, showing strength and firmness. Another sees a person spitting out bad-tasting food.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

亻弋代

Meaning part形符xíngfú

亻Written in full as人rénperson

Sound part声符shēngfú

弋

弋yì代dài

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 代, 亻 shows a person, and 弋 gives the sound.

Appears in