old, classic, ancient

JLPT N3 5 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Meaning and Usage

The character (gǔ) primarily means "old," "ancient," or "classic." It is often used to describe things from the distant past, such as ancient buildings, cultures, or traditions.

Common Contexts

You will frequently see in historical or cultural contexts, for example 建筑 (ancient buildings), 文化 (ancient culture), or 时候 (ancient times). It conveys a sense of age and tradition.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 建筑: ancient building, used when referring to historical architecture.
  • 文化: ancient culture, often in academic or cultural discussions.
  • 时候: ancient times, a common phrase to talk about the distant past.

Usage Notes

When using , it often emphasizes the historical or traditional aspect rather than just "old" in a casual sense. For example, 建筑 implies cultural value, not just any old building. Avoid confusing with (lǎo), which is more commonly used for "old" in everyday life or to describe people.

Summary

Use when referring to things with historical significance or traditional value. It is a formal and literary word often found in written language or formal speech about history and culture.

Example Sentences

This ancient building has a history of several hundred years.

He likes to study ancient culture and traditional arts.

People's lifestyles in ancient times were very different from now.