# 古色古香

gǔ sè gǔ xiāng

Have the appealing character of an old style

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Old color and old fragrance

**Register:** Appreciative · expressive

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Describe atmospheric traditional objects or settings.

Can describe reproductions, not proven antiquity.

## Understanding the expression

Color and fragrance stand for the sensory impression of age and tradition. A room, piece of furniture, or street may feel elegant and evocative because of its older style. The expression praises atmosphere rather than certifying an object’s date or authenticity. A carefully made modern reproduction can produce the same effect. It works best for recognizable traditional details, such as timber furniture or calligraphy, rather than something merely worn out.

## Examples

这间茶室古色古香。

### Traditional Chinese

這間茶室古色古香。

zhè jiān chá shì gǔ sè gǔ xiāng 。

This tearoom has an appealing traditional atmosphere.

桌上的木盒古色古香。

zhuō shàng de mù hé gǔ sè gǔ xiāng 。

The wooden box on the table has an elegant old-fashioned style.

老街修复后仍古色古香。

### Traditional Chinese

老街修復後仍古色古香。

lǎo jiē xiū fù hòu réng gǔ sè gǔ xiāng 。

After restoration, the old street retains its traditional charm.

她把书房布置得古色古香。

### Traditional Chinese

她把書房佈置得古色古香。

tā bǎ shū fáng bù zhì dé gǔ sè gǔ xiāng 。

She arranged the study with an elegant antique atmosphere.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%8F%A4%E8%89%B2%E5%8F%A4%E9%A6%99)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=772&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [姑妄言之 gū wàng yán zhī Offer a tentative statement without claiming certainty ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/gu-wang-yan-zhi)

- [管中窥豹 guǎn zhōng kuī bào See only part of a larger picture ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/guan-zhong-kui-bao)

- [光风霁月 guāng fēng jì yuè Be open, clear, and generous in character ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/guang-feng-ji-yue)

- [光怪陆离 guāng guài lù lí Bizarre, dazzling, and varied ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/guang-guai-lu-li)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 顾名思义 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/gu-ming-si-yi) [Next idiom 故态复萌 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/gu-tai-fu-meng)