詁 (gǔ) - to explain ancient texts & to interpret archaic words

詁Tone 3

gǔ ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

詁 · gǔ

to explain ancient texts;

to interpret archaic words;

exegesis of classical language.

to explain ancient textsto interpret archaic wordsexegesis of classical language.

Usage highlights

textual exegesisstudy of exegesisexegesis of charactersexegesis of poetryexegesis of classicsexegetical principles

Synonyms

  • 训— to explain; to interpret
  • 解— to explain; to untangle
  • 释— to explain; to elucidate

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He specializes in exegesis of ancient texts (训诂学).
  • This dictionary explains classical Chinese words (字诂).
  • The scholar provided commentary on the ancient poem (诗诂).

Collocations

  • textual exegesis(训诂)
  • study of exegesis(训诂学)
  • exegesis of characters(字诂)
  • exegesis of poetry(诗诂)
  • exegesis of classics(经诂)
  • exegetical principles(诂训)

Idioms

  • The study of exegesis and phonology(训诂音韵)
  • Exegesis of ancient meanings(诂训古义)
  • Comprehensive exegesis of classics(通经诂史)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Central to Chinese classical scholarship, especially in philology and interpretation of pre-Qin texts.
  • Part of the discipline known as 训诂学 (xunguxue), which analyzes ancient word meanings and usage.
  • Traditionally used by Confucian scholars to establish correct interpretations of canonical works.

FAQ