古训 (gǔ xùn) — ancient maxims; ancient precepts

Definition

古训 refers to wisdom sayings handed down from antiquity — moral or practical guidance rooted in classical tradition. The character 训 emphasizes instruction and admonition, so these maxims are meant to teach proper conduct, not just describe history.

noun
ancient maximsancient precepts

Examples

  • 古训。
    Tā jīng cháng yǐn yòng gǔ xùn lái jiào yù nián qīng rén.
    He often quotes ancient maxims to educate young people.
  • 古训。
    Zhè xiē gǔ xùn zhì jīn réng yǒu zhòng yào de zhǐ dǎo yì yì.
    These ancient precepts still have important guiding significance today.
  • 古训。
    Yé ye jīng cháng yòng gǔ xùn jiào dǎo wǒ men yào chéng shí shǒu xìn.
    Grandpa often uses ancient maxims to teach us to be honest and trustworthy.

Origin

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
训xùnprecept

古 means ancient and 训 means precept, so the word names ancient maxims or teachings.

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.

Open 古 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 訓; 训 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánspeech
Sound part声符shēngfú
川
川chuān訓xùn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

For 训, the traditional form 訓 puts 言 (speech) beside 川, a sound part, and conveys preaching a teaching.

Open 训 →

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