古今中外

• Pinyin: gǔ jīn zhōng wài
• Hanzi breakdown: 古 = ten generations of speech — the ancient; 今 = 亼 (converging at this moment) + 一 — the present time; 中 = a vertical stroke through a rectangle — the centre, here meaning China; 外 = 夕 (evening/outside the home) + 卜 (the unknown) — outside, the foreign

Meaning

Throughout all ages and across all lands; in all historical periods and in all countries. Used to assert universality — that something applies or has existed across all of human history and all cultures.

A four-character set phrase (四字格): 古今 spans all time (ancient to modern) and 中外 spans all space (Chinese and foreign). Together they construct a comprehensive scope covering all human history and geography. Common in philosophical arguments, ethical claims, rhetorical assertions, and cultural comparisons. Often signals a sweeping, universal truth.

Examples

1. 古今中外，无数先贤都以各自的方式探索过人类文明的本质与归宿。 Throughout history and across cultures, countless sages have explored, in their own ways, the essence and destiny of human civilization.
2. 这部小说以古今中外的历史为背景，将不同时代、不同文化的故事巧妙地编织在一起。 Set against a backdrop of history from around the world and across the ages, this novel skillfully weaves together stories from different eras and cultures.
3. 对于真善美的追求，是古今中外一切伟大艺术作品的共同主题。 The pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty is a shared theme of great works of art throughout history and across cultures.

Usage Guide

Context: rhetoric, philosophy, cultural comparison, academic writing, literature

Tone: solemn

Do Say

• 古今中外，凡是能够长久传世的艺术作品，无一不是以真实的人性体验为根基。(Throughout all ages and across all cultures, every work of art that has endured the test of time is without exception grounded in authentic human experience.)
• 这种自私自利的人性弱点，古今中外概莫能外，并非某一特定文化或时代的独有现象。(This human weakness of self-interest is found without exception throughout all ages and all cultures; it is not a phenomenon unique to any particular civilisation or era.)

Don't Say

• 将'古今中外'与'古今'互换 — 古今 spans only time (ancient to modern); 古今中外 adds the spatial dimension of all cultures and countries; they are not synonymous

Origin & History

古 (ancient) + 今 (modern/present) + 中 (China; within) + 外 (foreign; outside). A coordinate structure spanning time (古今) and space (中外) — across all eras and all places.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated speakers