Chinese word

古老

Pronunciation

Pinyingǔ lǎo

Meaning

  • adjectiveancient

Example

村子里有一棵古老的树。cūn zi lǐ yǒu yì kē gú lǎo de shù

There is an ancient tree in the village.

Illustration for 古老 (ancient)

More examples

这座城市有许多古老的建筑。zhè zuò chéng shì yǒu xǔ duō gú lǎo de jiàn zhù

This city has many ancient buildings.

Core concept

A visible survival from an earlier age, carrying the shape or customs of that time into the present.

Common phrases

  • 古老的城市gú lǎo de chéng shì

    ancient city

  • 古老的建筑gú lǎo de jiàn zhù

    ancient building

  • 古老的传统gú lǎo de chuán tǒng

    ancient tradition

Similar words

悠久yōu jiǔ: Connected with a history or tradition that has continued for a very long time.
老旧lǎo jiù: Made old and less useful or attractive by long use and wear.
陈旧chén jiù: Old and not suited to modern needs, especially when describing an idea or method.

Definition in Chinese

形容存在时间很久、保留传统或原貌的事物或场所。xíng róng cún zài shí jiān hěn jiǔ bǎo liú chuán tǒng huò yuán mào de shì wù huò cháng suǒ

Word origin

古 (gǔ, "old") + 老 (lǎo, "aged") form a reinforcing compound that conveys long duration and an established character.

Usage tips

  • 古老 (gǔlǎo, "ancient") can carry respect for what has endured, so it does not automatically suggest that something is outdated or unsuitable for the present.

Other meanings

  • historicadjective
  • venerableadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word