博古通今
bó gǔ tōng jīn
learned in things past and present; erudite
Character by character
博bó
widely read
widely read
古gǔ
ancient
ancient
通tōng
versed in
versed in
今jīn
present
present
Example
爷爷博古通今，问他什么问题，他都能讲出一段故事来。
Grandpa knows about everything, old and new: ask him any question and he has a story to go with it.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
Praise for wide learning, often 博古通今的学者. 博古 is knowledge of the past, 通今 understanding of the present; compare 学贯中西, which spans East and West rather than old and new.
Learn this in Lesson 247 · HSK 9+: 利玛窦与徐光启 (Matteo Ricci and Xu Guangqi)
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