The Chinese word 古典 (gǔdiǎn), meaning "classical" (as in classical literature, music, or style), is a compound word formed by combining two meaningful characters: 古 (gǔ), which means "ancient" or "old", and 典 (diǎn), which means "canon", "standard", "code", or "model". Together, they create a semantic compound where the meaning is derived from the sum of its parts, literally signifying "ancient canon" or "old standard". This formation reflects a concept that refers to the authoritative and timeless models, works, or styles from antiquity that are held in high esteem and serve as a foundation for culture and art.