以古非今 — “To use historical events”
以古非今 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to use historical events”. Figures, or ideas to critique or comment on contemporary situations or practices. Literally, “use ancient to criticize modern”.
以古非今 Pronunciation and Pinyin
以古非今 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 以古非今
Origin and Story of 以古非今
In 213 BC, Emperor Qin Shi Huang hosted a banquet to celebrate his birthday at Xianyang Palace. Seventy scholars came to offer their congratulations.
Chancellor Li Si publicly announced: 'From now on, all books of poetry, history, and the works of the Hundred Schools of Thought must be burned. Anyone who discusses them again will be executed. Those who use the past to criticize the present will also be put to death, and their entire clan will be eradicated.'
Emperor Qin Shi Huang then issued an imperial decree to announce this throughout the realm.
Idioms Related to 以古非今
More idioms starting with 以
- yǐ以yī一jǐng儆bǎi百punish one to warn many
- yǐ以yī一fèng奉bǎi百one producer supports a hundred consumers
- yǐ以yī一dāng当shí十fight with the strength of ten men
- yǐ以yī一dāng当bǎi百one person effective as a hundred
- yǐ以yī一chí持wàn万Grasp key to control the whole
- yǐ以yī一zhī知wàn万infer many from one
- yǐ以yī一jǐng警bǎi百punish one to warn many
- yǐ以yī一yù驭wàn万Control many by grasping the fundamental
- yǐ以bù不biàn变yìng应wàn万biàn变respond to change with no change
- yǐ以fǒu不jì济kě可help succeed by negating incorrect ideas
- yǐ以fēng丰bǔ补qiàn歉save in times of plenty for scarcity
- yǐ以wéi为kǒu口shí实provide material for criticism
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Open the tool →Questions about 以古非今
What does 以古非今 mean?
以古非今 (yǐ gǔ fēi jīn) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to use historical events”.
How do you pronounce 以古非今?
以古非今 is pronounced yǐ gǔ fēi jīn in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 以古非今 literally mean?
Literally, 以古非今 means “use ancient to criticize modern”. It is used to mean “to use historical events”.
Where does 以古非今 come from?
以古非今 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 以古非今?
非：非难，否定。用历史故事抨击当前的政治。