旧

• 拼音: jiù
• 汉字拆解: 旧 = simplified from 舊; 丨 + 日, representing something from the past; traditional form contained 隹 (bird) + 臼

含义

Old; used; former. Describes something that is not new, has been used before, or belongs to the past.

Used for objects (old clothes, old books), places (old neighbourhood), and abstract concepts (old ways, former times). Contrasts with 新 (new). Unlike 老 which describes age of living things or long-established entities, 旧 focuses on the condition of being worn, outdated, or from a previous time.

例句

1. 这件衣服太旧了，该换新的了。
2. 他住在城市的旧区。
3. 不要扔掉旧书，可以捐给别人。

用法指南

语境: condition, comparison, everyday

语气: descriptive

正确说法

• 我买了一辆旧车。(I bought a used car.)
• 他还住在旧房子里。(He still lives in the old house.)

错误说法

• 我的奶奶很旧。(Don't use 旧 for people — use 老. 旧 describes objects and places, not living beings. Say 我的奶奶年纪很大.)

起源与历史

Composed of a vertical stroke and 臼 (mortar, phonetic). The original meaning related to an owl, but it was borrowed early on for the meaning 'old' or 'former.'

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal