gu2 fan3古訓古训
Jyutpinggu2 fan3
Yalegú fan
Definition
Ancient teachings, maxims, or moral instructions.
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How it's used
古訓 carries a formal and slightly literary weight, often associated with traditional family values or ancestral wisdom. While it refers to a motto, it specifically implies a legacy passed down through generations rather than a modern personal slogan. You will mostly encounter this in discussions about heritage or cultural upbringing.
Measure word
geoi3句geuiExamples
Do you know what kind of family motto they have?
Related words
Common phrases
family motto
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 座右銘, which is a personal motto or a quote one keeps to guide their own life. 古訓 implies a collective, historical, or familial origin, whereas 座右銘 is typically individual and can be contemporary.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
