复古 (fù gǔ) literally means 'to return to antiquity' — 复 (fù) conveys 'to restore, revive, or repeat', and 古 (gǔ) means 'ancient' or 'classical'. Together, they describe a deliberate aesthetic or cultural revival of styles, designs, or practices from earlier eras — especially the 1920s–1980s in modern usage. It’s commonly applied to fashion, interior design, music, film, and product design.

Unlike the neutral term 'traditional' (传统), 复古 carries a conscious, often nostalgic or stylish reinterpretation — not strict historical replication. You’ll see it in phrases like 复古风 (fùgǔ fēng, 'retro style') or 复古元素 (fùgǔ yuánsù, 'retro elements'). It’s widely used in advertising, lifestyle media, and youth culture across China and the Sinophone world, reflecting an appreciation for vintage charm blended with contemporary sensibility.