古籍

gǔ jí
ancient books

中国的古籍是中华文化的重要遗产。

Ancient books in China are an important legacy of Chinese culture.


formal

Historical books or manuscripts dating from ancient or medieval times, typically valued for their cultural, historical, or scholarly significance.

《论语》是中国最重要的古籍之一。

The Analects is one of China's most important ancient books.

博物馆展出了许多珍贵的古籍。

The museum exhibited many precious ancient books.

Often refers to texts written before the modern era (pre-20th century), including classical literature, historical records, and religious texts.

Collocations

珍贵古籍precious ancient books保护古籍preserve ancient books研究古籍study ancient books

Related Phrases

整理古籍phrase
organize and edit ancient texts
古籍修复phrase
ancient book restoration

Pro Tip

Distinguish from modern books

古籍 specifically refers to texts from ancient or medieval periods, not just any old book. For example, a 19th-century book may be considered 'old' but not necessarily a 古籍 unless it has historical significance.

Gold Rule

Cultural context matters

When discussing 古籍, consider its role in preserving cultural heritage. Many ancient texts are not just books but foundational works in philosophy, history, or literature.

Word Origin

Composed of '古' (gǔ, ancient) and '籍' (jí, book/record). The term has been used in Chinese since classical times to denote texts of historical or scholarly value.

Usage Notes

Commonly used in academic, cultural, and archival contexts. Often associated with the preservation of traditional knowledge and heritage.

Word Breakdown

古
ancient
root
+
籍
book/record
root
汉英词典