古往今来 (gǔ wǎng jīn lái) — through the ages; from ancient times to the present; throughout history

Definition

A four-character idiom meaning 'from ancient times to today' — used to frame something as true throughout all of history. Often opens a sentence as a time-scope adverbial (∼以来/中).

idiom
through the agesfrom ancient times to the presentthroughout history

Examples

  • 古往今来，。
    gǔ wǎng jīn lái, Rén men dōu zhuī qiú xìng fú de shēng huó.
    Throughout history, people have pursued a happy life.
  • 古往今来，。
    gǔ wǎng jīn lái, Zhè ge dào lǐ cóng wèi gǎi biàn.
    From ancient times to the present, this truth has never changed.
  • 古往今来，。
    gǔ wǎng jīn lái, Zhàn zhēng gěi rén lèi dài lái le jù dà de tòng kǔ.
    Throughout the ages, war has brought immense suffering to humanity.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

古往ancient past
古gǔancient往wǎngpast
偏正Modifier + head
今来present coming
今jīnpresent来láicome
偏正Modifier + head

“古往” and “今来” run parallel, referring to the past and the present, hence through the ages.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
止止zhǐfoot
Sound part声符shēngfú
王
王wáng往wǎng
Same sound today

The form that became 往 paired 止, a foot, with 王 for the sound; a stepping part was later added, and the right side changed.

Open 往 →

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

One explanation sees the shape as an upside-down mouth with a line below it, giving the idea of not speaking.

Open 今 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 來; 来 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 來 shows a wheat plant: a central ear, upward leaves, and downward stem and roots. The simplified 来 is a later shorthand.

Open 来 →

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