古代

• Pinyin: gǔ dài
• Hanzi breakdown: 古 = 十 (ten) + 口 (generation) — ancient; 代 = 亻(person) + 弋 (stake) — a generation or era

Meaning

Ancient times; antiquity. Refers to historical periods in the distant past.

Used to talk about ancient historical periods, as opposed to 现代 (modern times) or 近代 (recent history). Common phrases: 古代中国 (ancient China), 古代文明 (ancient civilisation), 古代历史 (ancient history). In Chinese context, 古代 generally covers periods before the Opium Wars (1840).

Examples

1. 古代的中国人发明了很多东西。 People in ancient China invented many things.
2. 这本书讲的是古代的故事。 This book tells stories from ancient times.
3. 他对古代历史非常感兴趣。 He is very interested in ancient history.

Usage Guide

Context: history, education, culture

Tone: informative

Do Say

• 在古代，人们没有手机和电脑。(In ancient times, people didn't have mobile phones or computers.)
• 古代中国的四大发明很了不起。(Ancient China's four great inventions are remarkable.)

Don't Say

• 我爷爷小时候是古代。(Don't use 古代 for your grandparents' generation — that's recent history. Say 我爷爷小时候那个年代.)

Origin & History

Compound of 古 (ancient) and 代 (era/generation). Together they specify the era of antiquity.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal