Chinese word

古董

Pronunciation

Pinyingǔ dǒng

Meaning

  • nounantique

Example

这家店专门卖古董。zhè jiā diàn zhuān mén mài gú dǒng

This store specializes in selling antiques.

Illustration for 古董 (antique)

More examples

博物馆邀请专家来鉴定古董。bó wù guǎn yāo qǐng zhuān jiā lái jiàn dìng gú dǒng

The museum invited an expert to appraise the antiques.

Core concept

An old object whose age, history, or craftsmanship gives it a place in a collection.

Common phrases

  • 鉴定古董jiàn dìng gú dǒng

    appraise antiques

  • 修复古董xiū fù gú dǒng

    restore antiques

  • 古董拍卖gú dǒng pāi mài

    auction antiques

Similar words

古玩gǔ wán: Old vessels, decorative objects, and other items collected for their antique appeal.
收藏品shōu cáng pǐn: Items gathered and kept by people or institutions because they are interesting or valuable.
二手货èr shǒu huò: Previously used goods that circulate in the market as secondhand items.
文物wén wù: Historical artifacts with cultural significance that are protected and preserved by museums.

Definition in Chinese

泛指年代久远、具有史料或艺术价值并可供鉴定收藏的旧物，常作为骨董或收藏品的总称。fàn zhǐ nián dài jiú yuǎn jù yǒu shǐ liào huò yì shù jià zhí bìng kě gōng jiàn dìng shōu cáng de jiù wù cháng zuò wéi gú dǒng huò shōu cáng pǐn de zǒng chēng

Word origin

古董 (gǔdǒng, "antique") is an established form related to 骨董 (gǔdǒng, "antique"), an older term for old objects that developed into the modern sense of valued antiques.

Usage tips

  • Calling an ordinary used item 古董 (gǔdǒng, "antique") can make it sound like a collectible; 旧 (jiù, "old") or 二手 (èrshǒu, "second-hand") keeps the focus on age or prior ownership.

Opposites

Related words

  • 古董鉴定gú dǒng jiàn dìngantique appraisalnoun
  • 古董修复gú dǒng xiū fùantique restorationnoun
  • 古董拍卖gú dǒng pāi màiantique auctionnoun

Word lists with this word