旧 (jiù) - old & former

旧Tone 4

jiù ｜ 5 strokes ｜ radical: 丨

傑君

旧 · jiù

old;

former;

past;

used;

worn;

outdated;

opposite of new.

oldformerpast

Usage highlights

old friendformer residenceused goodsold societyoutdated customsantique

Synonyms

  • 老— old (age-related)
  • 古— ancient
  • 陈— stale, aged

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • This is my old house (旧房子).
  • I still have feelings for my ex (旧情).
  • He collects antique furniture (旧家具).
  • We met again after many years (旧友重逢).

Collocations

  • old friend(旧友)
  • former residence(旧居)
  • used goods(旧货)
  • old society(旧社会)
  • outdated customs(旧俗)
  • antique(旧物)

Idioms

  • To discard the old and embrace the new(弃旧图新)
  • Old grudges and new hatred(旧仇新恨)
  • The old dream revisited(旧梦重温)
  • To restore old order(复旧)
  • Old habits die hard(旧习难改)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted a bird (隹) perched on a nest, representing something that has been used or inhabited.
  • In Confucian thought, often contrasted with 'new' to discuss reform and tradition.
  • Commonly used in historical contexts to refer to pre-revolutionary China (旧中国).

FAQ