古 (gǔ) — ancient; old (from the distant past)
Definition
古 means 'ancient, from the distant past' — used for things hundreds of years old (古文化, 古书). It refers to time depth, unlike 老/旧 which describe wear or age in people and objects.
adjective
ancientold (from the distant past)
Examples
- 。Tā xǐ huan yán jiū gǔ wén huà.He likes to study ancient culture.
- 。Zhè běn gǔ shū shì jǐ bǎi nián qián xiě de.This ancient book was written several hundred years ago.
- 。Wǒ men cān guān le yí zuò gǔ jiàn zhù.We visited an ancient building.
Origin
Indicative sign六书liùshū
指事zhǐshìAn 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.
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