Classical Chinese

proper noun

The written Chinese language used from the Zhou Dynasty (1045 B.C.E.) (especially the Spring and Autumn Period), through to the end of the Han Dynasty (220 C.E.). In Chinese, 古文 (gǔwén, “Ancient Writing”) or, formally, 古典漢語 /古典汉语 (“Classical Chinese”). The language of many classics of Chinese literature.

Similar
Literary Chinese
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Meanings

proper noun
  1. The written Chinese language used from the Zhou Dynasty (1045 B.C.E.) (especially the Spring and Autumn Period), through to the end of the Han Dynasty (220 C.E.). In Chinese, 古文 (gǔwén, “Ancient Writing”) or, formally, 古典漢語 /古典汉语 (“Classical Chinese”). The language of many classics of Chinese literature.

    Synonyms: Literary Chinese

  2. The written Chinese language used from the Zhou Dynasty (1045 B.C.E.) to the early 20th century.

Synonyms & antonyms

proper nounThe written Chinese language used from the Zhou Dynasty (1045 B.C.E.) (especially the Spring and Autumn Period), through to the end of the Han Dynasty (220 C.E.). In Chinese, 古文 (gǔwén, “Ancient Writing”) or, formally, 古典漢語 /古典汉语 (“Classical Chinese”). The language of many classics of Chinese literature.

Similar
Literary Chinese
Also see
literary chinese

Translations

Chinese Cantonese 文言文, 文言
  • 文言文language
  • 文言 (man⁴ jin⁴)language
  • 古文language
Chinese Mandarin 文言文, 文言
  • 文言文 (Wényánwén)language
  • 文言 (Wényán)language
  • 古文 (Gǔwén)language
  • 漢文 /汉文 (Hànwén)language
Finnish klassinen kiina
  • klassinen kiinalanguage
French chinois classique
  • chinois classiquelanguage
German klassisches Chinesisch
  • klassisches Chinesischlanguage
Indonesian bahasa Tionghoa Klasik
  • bahasa Tionghoa Klasiklanguage
Italian cinese classico, lingua cinese classica
  • cinese classicolanguage
  • lingua cinese classicalanguage
Japanese 漢文
  • 漢文 (Kanbun)language
Korean 한문
  • 한문 (Hanmun)language
Malay bahasa Cina Klasik
  • bahasa Cina Klasiklanguage
Portuguese chinês clássico
  • chinês clássicolanguage
Russian вэнья́нь, класси́ческий кита́йский язы́к
  • вэнья́нь (vɛnʹjánʹ)language
  • класси́ческий кита́йский язы́к (klassíčeskij kitájskij jazýk)language
Spanish chino clásico
  • chino clásicolanguage
Swedish klassisk kinesiska
  • klassisk kinesiskalanguage
Vietnamese Hán văn, cổ văn
  • Hán vănlanguage
  • cổ vănlanguage
Cite this entry
APA

Classical Chinese. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Classical%20Chinese

MLA

“Classical Chinese.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Classical%20Chinese. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Classical Chinese,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Classical%20Chinese.

Source: Classical Chinese on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.