典故

diǎngù

noun #25,672

Measure Word

一个典故 gè

Meanings

1 literary or historical allusion
2 classical reference
3 story behind an expression

Characters

classic / standard work / ceremony

old / former / cause / reason

Examples

这句成语有一个有趣的典故。

Zhè jù chéngyǔ yǒu yīgè yǒuqù de diǎngù.

This idiom has an interesting classical allusion behind it.

老师给我们讲了这个词的典故。

Lǎoshī gěi wǒmen jiǎng le zhège cí de diǎngù.

The teacher told us the story behind this word.

Tips

usage

Chinese literature is dense with 典故. Many four-character idioms (成语) are themselves condensed 典故 from ancient texts or histories.

Stroke Order

典 diǎn

故 gù