gu2 gau6古舊古旧
Jyutpinggu2 gau6
Yalegú gauh
Definition
Old, antiquated, or ancient, particularly describing items that have existed for a long time and no longer look new.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
古舊 carries a sense of historical age or a lack of modernity, often implying that something is out of fashion or no longer functional by current standards. Unlike 舊 which is a neutral term for old, 古舊 adds a layer of emphasis on the item being from a bygone era. It is frequently used for architecture, furniture, or outdated technology.
Examples
This house is very old and has a lot of character to live in.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using 古舊 to describe people, as it sounds like you are calling them a relic or a fossil. For people, use 老 or 年長 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
