古朴
gǔ pǔ · HSK 7
simple and unadorned
🏺 古 = ancient + 朴 = unadorned/plain wood
古 means ancient or old. 朴 originally referred to unworked wood, hence simple and unadorned. Together 古朴 describes art or architecture that feels antique and stripped of ornament — quietly old-fashioned.
古 — ten 十 + mouth 口
古 is traditionally analyzed as 十 (ten) over 口 (mouth), suggesting words passed down through ten generations — hence 'ancient' or 'old.' Some scholars view the top as a stylized helmet or skull shape in oracle bone forms. The core meaning of 'ancient, old, former times' has remained stable since early Chinese writing.