古代
gǔ dài HSK 5

English Meaning

Categories

📚 Example Sentences

古代人生活很辛苦。
Gǔdài rén shēnghuó hěn xīnkǔ.
Ancient people lived very hard lives.
这本书介绍古代历史。
Zhè běn shū jièshào gǔdài lìshǐ.
This book introduces ancient history.
古代建筑非常漂亮。
Gǔdài jiànzhú fēicháng piàoliang.
Ancient architecture is very beautiful.
古代很有趣。
Gǔdài hěn yǒuqù.
Ancient times are interesting.
他研究古代。
Tā yánjiū gǔdài.
He studies ancient times.

💡 Memory Tip

Break it down: 古 (gǔ) means 'ancient' or 'old,' and 代 (dài) means 'era' or 'generation.' Think of it as 'old era' to remember it refers to ancient times.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in formality and commonly used in both written and spoken Chinese, such as in historical discussions, literature, or education. It often appears in contexts like history books, documentaries, or when describing ancient customs, artifacts, or events.

📖 Grammar Points

古代 is typically used as a noun in phrases like '在古代' (in ancient times) to set a temporal context. It can modify other nouns directly, e.g., '古代人' (ancient people) or '古代艺术' (ancient art), functioning similarly to an adjective in compound terms.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, 古代 often refers to periods like the dynastic eras (e.g., Han, Tang), which are central to China's historical identity and cultural heritage. It evokes imagery of traditional values, classical literature, and archaeological discoveries.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to '古老' (gǔlǎo, meaning 'ancient' as an adjective describing age, like an old tree), 古代 is a noun specifically for the time period itself. It also differs from '近代' (jìndài, 'modern times') and '现代' (xiàndài, 'contemporary times'), which refer to more recent eras.

Master this word with quizzes, flashcards & more

Learn 古代 in CILI →

Related Words