Usage note
古表示古老、过去的。
gǔ biǎo shì gǔ lǎo 、 guò qù de。
古 means ancient or old-fashioned.
Context note
古常用于历史、文化和建筑。
gǔ cháng yòng yú lì shǐ 、 wén huà hé jiàn zhù。
It is often used with history, culture, and buildings.
5 examples
这里有很多古建筑。
zhè lǐ yǒu hěn duō gǔ jiàn zhù。
There are many ancient buildings here.
他喜欢古诗。
tā xǐ huan gǔ shī。
He likes ancient poems.
这个地方很古。
zhè ge dì fāng hěn gǔ。
This place is very old.
古代的人生活不同。
gǔ dài de rén shēng huó bù tóng。
People in ancient times lived differently.
老师讲了古文化。
lǎo shī jiǎng le gǔ wén huà。
The teacher talked about ancient culture.
5 mini stories
他们去参观古城。
tā men qù cān guān gǔ chéng。
They went to visit an ancient city.
老师给大家看古书。
lǎo shī gěi dà jiā kàn gǔ shū。
The teacher showed everyone old books.
这座桥很古。
zhè zuò qiáo hěn gǔ。
This bridge is very old.
他对古代历史很感兴趣。
tā duì gǔ dài lì shǐ hěn gǎn xìng qù。
He is very interested in ancient history.
古老的故事总是很吸引人。
gǔ lǎo de gù shì zǒng shì hěn xī yǐn rén。
Ancient stories are always very attractive.
Mini dialogue
参观博物馆
A
你看，这些是古时候的钱币。
Nǐ kàn, zhèxiē shì gǔ shíhou de qiánbì.
Look, these are ancient coins.
B
哇，古人的钱真有趣！
Wa, gǔrén de qián zhēn yǒuqù!
Wow, ancient people's money is so interesting!
古老的故事
A
爷爷，给我讲一个古时候的故事吧。
Yéye, gěi wǒ jiǎng yī gè gǔ shíhou de gùshi ba.
Grandpa, tell me an ancient story.
B
好，我给你讲一个古老的神话。
Hǎo, wǒ gěi nǐ jiǎng yī gè gǔlǎo de shénhuà.
Okay, I'll tell you an ancient myth.
Related words and contrasts
similar
老
lǎo
old
古 means ancient, often for things from long ago; 老 means old, often for age or long use.
opposite
新
xīn
new
古 means ancient; 新 means new.
related
旧
jiù
old, used
旧 means old or used, not necessarily ancient like 古.
contrast
现代
xiàn dài
modern
古 means ancient; 现代 means modern, the opposite time period.