陈旧

• Pinyin: chén jiù
• Hanzi breakdown: 陈 = 阝 (hill) + 东 (east, phonetic); 旧 = 丨 + 日 = old/former

Meaning

Outdated; obsolete; old and worn. Describes things that are no longer current or useful.

Can describe physical objects (old furniture, equipment) or abstract things (outdated ideas, methods). Carries a negative connotation of being past its prime and needing replacement or updating.

Examples

1. 这些陈旧的设备早就应该淘汰了。 This outdated equipment should have been phased out long ago.
2. 我们要摒弃陈旧的观念，接受新思想。 We need to abandon outdated concepts and accept new ideas.
3. 办公室里的家具都很陈旧，需要更换。 The furniture in the office is very old and needs to be replaced.

Usage Guide

Context: criticism, modernization, replacement

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 这种陈旧的管理方式已经不适合现代企业了。(This outdated management style no longer suits modern enterprises.)
• 陈旧的法律条文需要修订。(Outdated legal provisions need to be revised.)

Don't Say

• 这瓶酒很陈旧 (For aged wine, use 陈年 or 老 which have positive connotations — 陈旧 is negative)

Origin & History

Compound of 陈 (old, to display, to state) and 旧 (old, former). 陈 originally meant 'to arrange' but came to mean 'old' from things long displayed.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal