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古董 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
古董gǔdǒngcurioHSK 7, nr, 17 strokes, rank #5808, Very Hard
古董gǔdǒngantiqueHSK 7, nr, 17 strokes, rank #5808, Very Hard
gǔdǒng(gu3dong3)gu dong T3
  1. 1curio
  2. 2antique
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March 24, 2026

古董gǔdǒng(gu3dong3)

The term '古董' (gu3 dong3) refers to antiques or curios, typically items that are considered valuable due to their age, rarity, or historical significance. It is commonly used in contexts involving art, collectibles, or historical artifacts. The word conveys a sense of nostalgia and cultural heritage.

Strokes17Frequency#5808DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, collecting antiques is a respected hobby that is often associated with wisdom and cultural appreciation. Many antique items are connected to significant historical events or figures, making them valuable not just as objects but as stories.

Memory Tip

Imagine an old, dusty '古' (ancient) shop filled with '董' (rare) treasures. Picture yourself uncovering a beautiful, ancient vase that tells stories of the past. The sound 'gu3' can remind you of 'gorgeous' antiques that you might find in such a shop.

Meanings of 古董

gǔdǒng(gu3dong3)
1curio
2antique
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 古董

古董Simplified
17Strokes
—Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#5808Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 古董

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Podcast: 古董

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AI Study Notes for 古董

Quick Contrast

文物 (wénwù) - use '古董' for items valued for age and rarity, while '文物' refers to cultural relics with historical significance.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse '古董' with '古代' (ancient), which refers to the ancient times rather than the items themselves. This term is generally used in formal contexts, especially when discussing art or history. Common collocations include '古董市场' (antique market) and '古董收藏' (antique collection).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, '古董' connects to themes of culture and history, which are essential in advanced language learning. Students should focus on using this term in discussions about cultural artifacts and their significance in Chinese society.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse '古董' by applying it to any old item regardless of its value. For example, saying '这把旧椅子是个古董' (This old chair is an antique) is incorrect unless the chair is genuinely an antique. Instead, specify its historical value or rarity.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 古董

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Component Characters

古gǔancient
HSK 55 strokes口
View full entry
董Dǒngto supervise
12 strokes艹
View full entry

How to say curio in Chinese

“curio” in Chinese is古董gǔdǒng

The term '古董' (gu3 dong3) refers to antiques or curios, typically items that are considered valuable due to their age, rarity, or historical significance. It is commonly used in contexts involving art, collectibles, or historical artifacts. The word conveys a sense of nostalgia and cultural heritage.

When to use 古董

Be careful not to confuse '古董' with '古代' (ancient), which refers to the ancient times rather than the items themselves. This term is generally used in formal contexts, especially when discussing art or history. Common collocations include '古董市场' (antique market) and '古董收藏' (antique collection).

古董 or something close to it

文物 (wénwù) - use '古董' for items valued for age and rarity, while '文物' refers to cultural relics with historical significance.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse '古董' by applying it to any old item regardless of its value. For example, saying '这把旧椅子是个古董' (This old chair is an antique) is incorrect unless the chair is genuinely an antique. Instead, specify its historical value or rarity.

Write 古董

古
董

Practice writing 古董 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 古董

古董 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

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Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

有些人会把这些奇怪的铁片与木块称作“____”。

Some would call these odd pieces of iron and wood "antiques"

Example Sentences for 古董 (5)

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1
有些人会把这些奇怪的铁片与木块称作“古董”。

yǒu xiē rén huì bǎ zhè xiē qí guài de tiě piàn yǔ mù kuài chēng zuò“ “ gǔ”。

Some would call these odd pieces of iron and wood "antiques"
2
简·波洛克古董店经营银器和小收藏品。

jiǎn· · bō luò kè gǔ dǒng diàn jīng yíng yín qì hé xiǎo shōu cáng。

Jane Pollock Antiques deals in silver and small collectables.
3
他从事古董家具买卖已有25年。

tā cóng shì gǔ dǒng jiā jù mǎi mài yǐ yǒu25 25。

He has been trading in antique furniture for 25 years.
4
他声称把所有的钱都投进了自己的古董生意。

tā shēng chēng bǎ suǒ yǒu de qián dū tóu jìn le zì jǐ de gǔ dǒng shēng yì。

He claimed he ploughed all his money into his antique business.
5
我们在镇上一家古色古香的古董店逛了一下.

wǒ mén zài zhèn shàng yī jiā gǔ sè gǔ xiāng de gǔ dǒng diàn guàng le yī xià.

We stopped at a quaint little antique shop in the town.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 古董

'古董' refers to antiques or collectibles, while '文物' specifically means cultural relics or artifacts that hold historical importance.

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