Chinese word

经典

Pronunciation

Pinyinjīng diǎn

Meaning

  • nounclassic

Example

这本小说是中国现代文学的经典。zhè běn xiǎo shuō shì zhōng guó xiàn dài wén xué de jīng diǎn

This novel is a classic of modern Chinese literature.

Illustration for 经典 (classic)

More examples

这部老电影已经成为经典。zhè bù lǎo diàn yǐng yǐ jīng chéng wéi jīng diǎn

This old film has already become a classic.

Core concept

A work that remains important across time because people keep studying, sharing, and using it as a model.

Common phrases

  • 经典作品jīng diǎn zuò pǐn

    classic work

  • 成为经典chéng wéi jīng diǎn

    become a classic

  • 经典电影jīng diǎn diàn yǐng

    classic film

Similar words

名作míng zuò: A work long praised by many people for its excellence.
名著míng zhù: A widely read book valued for its important content and influence.
作品zuò pǐn: A work made by an author in literature or the arts.
古典gú diǎn: An old work passed down through generations and representing its era.

Definition in Chinese

通常用于指那些具有持久影响力、被广泛学习或反复传述、成为参照范例的文学或艺术作品。tōng cháng yòng yú zhǐ nà xiē jù yǒu chí jiǔ yíng xiǎng lì bèi guǎng fàn xué xí huò fǎn fù chuán shù chéng wéi cān zhào fàn lì de wén xué huò yì shù zuò pǐn

Word origin

经 (jīng, "canonical text") + 典 (diǎn, "authoritative book") gives the word the sense of a work preserved for study and used as a lasting reference.

Usage tips

  • The label 经典 (jīngdiǎn, "classic") can apply to a modern novel or film, since age alone does not decide whether a work receives this praise.

Other meanings

  • masterpiecenoun
  • representative worknoun

Opposites

  • 劣作liè zuòinferior worknoun

Word lists with this word