HSK 3, a, 5 strokes, radical 日, rank #1743, Medium
旧
jiù
opposite: new 新
HSK 3, a, 5 strokes, radical 日, rank #1743, Medium
旧
jiù
former
HSK 3, a, 5 strokes, radical 日, rank #1743, Medium
旧
jiù
worn (with age)
HSK 3, a, 5 strokes, radical 日, rank #1743, Medium
旧
jiù
old, ancient; former, past
HSK 3, a, 5 strokes, radical 日, rank #1743, Medium
jiù(jiu4) T4
1old
2opposite: new 新
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March 24, 2026
旧(舊)jiù(jiu4)
The character 旧 (jiù) means 'old' and refers to something that has been used for a long time or is no longer new. It can describe objects, concepts, or even times, emphasizing their age or antiquity. In contrast to 新 (xīn), which means 'new', 旧 carries a sense of familiarity or nostalgia.
Strokes5Radical日Frequency#1743DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'old' is often respected, with traditions and historical artifacts valued for their age, reflecting a deep appreciation for heritage. The phrase 旧时光 (old times) evokes nostalgia for a simpler past.
Memory Tip
Imagine a clock with its hands stuck at 'old' time, representing the past. The character 旧 (jiù) has a resemblance to an old, worn-out shoe; just like a shoe that has seen many walks, the concept of 'old' signifies something that has experienced much.
Meanings of 旧
jiù(jiu4)
1old
2opposite: new 新
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 旧
旧Simplified
舊Traditional
5Strokes
日Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#1743Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 旧
Podcast: 旧
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AI Study Notes for 旧
Quick Contrast
旧 (jiù) vs 古 (gǔ) — use 旧 for something that is old but still familiar or in use, while 古 emphasizes ancientness or historical significance.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a clock with its hands stuck at 'old' time, representing the past. The character 旧 (jiù) has a resemblance to an old, worn-out shoe; just like a shoe that has seen many walks, the concept of 'old' signifies something that has experienced much.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 旧 with 新 (xīn) when describing items. 旧 is typically used in informal contexts, but can appear in formal settings when discussing history or tradition. Common collocations include 旧书 (old book), 旧衣服 (old clothes), and 旧时代 (old era).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 旧 connects well with other vocabulary related to time and objects, such as 新 (new) and 以前 (before). Focus on using 旧 in sentences that compare past and present items or events to reinforce its meaning.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'old' is often respected, with traditions and historical artifacts valued for their age, reflecting a deep appreciation for heritage. The phrase 旧时光 (old times) evokes nostalgia for a simpler past.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 旧 with 老 when describing people. For example, saying '他很旧' (He is very old) is incorrect; the correct form would be '他很老' (He is very old).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 旧
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Simplified form of 舊. Phonosemantic compound. 雈 represents the meaning and 臼 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "type of owl". The current meaning is a phonetic loan.
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Practice writing 旧 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 旧
旧 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
This pattern emphasizes the condition or state of being described, often used to describe attributes of nouns.
❝
这本书是旧的。
Zhè běn shū shì jiù de.
This book is old.
Exercise 1 of 3
Complete the Sentence
新的比____的好。
The new one is better than the old one.
Common Confusions with 旧
旧vs久
jiǔ
Both characters sound similar but have different meanings.
旧vs就
jiù
Similar pronunciation but different meanings and usages.
旧 refers to something that is old or worn out, while 新 refers to something that is new.
1
这件衣服是旧的，而那件是新的。
旧 refers to something that is old or worn out, while 新 refers to something that is new.
💡Remember that 旧 is the opposite of 新.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "old"?
or
Usage Notes for 旧
Misusing 旧Common Error
Be careful not to use 旧 for things that are not actually old. It is specifically for worn or aged items.
1
这个手机是旧的。
This phone is old.
Using 旧 in comparisonsUsage
When comparing with 新, it's often necessary to maintain the context of 'old' versus 'new'.
1
这条路比那条旧。
This road is older than that one.
Exercise 1 of 1
Fill in the Blank
这个手机是____的。
This phone is old.
Example Sentences for 旧 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
你一直穿你的旧衣服，直到穿烂了为止吗？
nǐ yī zhí chuān nǐ de jiù yī fú， ， zhí dào chuān làn le wéi zhǐ？
Do you wear your old clothes until they fall to pieces?
2
别告诉我你仍旧相信那些东西。
bié gào sù wǒ nǐ réng jiù xiāng xìn nà xiē dōng xī。
Don't tell me you still believe in all that stuff?
3
这实质上是一种狭隘的、因循守旧的照顾孩子的方法。
zhè shí zhì shàng shì yī zhǒng xiá ài de、 、 yīn xún shǒu jiù de zhào gù hái zǐ de fāng。
It is essentially a narrow and conservative approach to child care.
4
正如一位愤世嫉俗的旧主顾所说的那样，“他很可能把差额塞进了自己的腰包！”
zhèng rú yī wèi fèn shì jí sú de jiù zhǔ gù suǒ shuō de nà yàng，“ ，“ tā hěn kě néng bǎ chà é sāi jìn le zì jǐ de yāo！”
As one former customer said cynically, "He's probably pocketed the difference!"
5
他为某些思想较守旧的官员所憎恶。
tā wéi mǒu xiē sī xiǎng jiào shǒu jiù de guān yuán suǒ zēng è。
He is loathed by some of the more traditionally minded officers.
6
他被指无趣乏味，古板守旧，心胸狭窄。
tā bèi zhǐ wú qù fá wèi， ， gǔ bǎn shǒu， jiù ， xīn xiōng。
He was criticised for being boring, strait-laced and narrow-minded.
7
他总是穿着一件从来不洗的脏兮兮的旧夹克。
tā zǒng shì chuān zháo yī jiàn cóng lái bù xǐ de zāng xī xī de jiù jiā kè。
He never washed, and always wore a filthy old jacket.
8
他仍旧仰卧着，望着天上的云彩。
tā réng jiù yǎng wò zháo， ， wàng zháo tiān shàng de yún。
He continued to lie on his back and look at clouds.
9
我们在威斯敏斯特教堂看到的是一种经年不变的古旧仪式。
wǒ mén zài wēi sī mǐn sī tè jiào táng kàn dào de shì yī zhǒng jīng nián bù biàn de gǔ jiù yí shì。
What we see at Westminster is a tired old ritual.
10
但在其他商店纷纷关门倒闭之时，大型超市的强劲扩张势头却依旧不减。
dàn zài qí tā shāng diàn fēn fēn guān mén dǎo bì zhī shí， ， dà xíng chāo shì de qiáng jìn kuò zhāng shì tóu què yī jiù bù。
But as other shops fold, the march of the superstores continues.
Cultural Notes for 旧
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, the concept of '旧' (old) is often associated with wisdom and experience. Older generations are respected for their knowledge and life lessons, which contrasts with the rush for modernization in many societies.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'old' is often respected, with traditions and historical artifacts valued for their age, reflecting a deep appreciation for heritage. The phrase 旧时光 (old times) evokes nostalgia for a simpler past.
Word Family of 旧
Compounds4
稲
児
焔
陥
Words Containing This Character20
旧jiùold舊
依旧yījiùas before依舊
旧金山San Francisco, California舊金山
仍旧réngjiùyet仍舊
怀旧huáijiùnostalgia懷舊
陈旧chénjiùold-fashioned陳舊
破旧pòjiùshabby破舊
废旧worn out廢舊
旧事old affair舊事
叙旧to reminisce敘舊
旧货second-hand goods舊貨
照旧as before照舊
旧情old affection舊情
旧时in former times舊時
个旧Gejiu, county level city in Yunnan, capital of Honghe Hani and Yi autonomous county 紅河哈尼族彞族自治州|红河哈尼族彝族自治州[HónghéHānízúYízúZìzhìzhōu]個舊
旧式old style舊式
折旧depreciation折舊
旧址former site舊址
重操旧业to resume one's old trade (idiom)重操舊業
守旧conservative守舊
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 旧 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 旧
Yes, while both 旧 (jiù) and 老 (lǎo) can mean 'old', they are used in different contexts. 旧 typically refers to objects or things that are worn out or outdated, while 老 is often used to refer to people or living beings in terms of age. For example, you would say 老人 (lǎo rén) for 'old person' but 旧书 (jiù shū) for 'old book'.
To differentiate between 旧 (jiù) and 新 (xīn), remember that 旧 denotes something that has aged or is worn, while 新 indicates something that is fresh or recent. In everyday conversation, you might use 新 to describe a new purchase or experience, while 旧 would describe something that has been around for a while. For example, 新车 (xīn chē) means 'new car', while 旧车 (jiù chē) means 'old car'.
旧 (jiù) means 'old' in Chinese, often used to describe something that is worn or has aged. It is the opposite of 新 (xīn), which means 'new'. It can also refer to something that is former or previous.
You can use 旧 (jiù) in sentences to describe objects or concepts that are old or worn. For example, 这件衣服很旧 (Zhè jiàn yīfú hěn jiù) means 'This piece of clothing is very old.' It can also be used in a comparative sense, like 旧的和新的 (jiù de hé xīn de) meaning 'the old and the new.'
You can say '这件衣服很旧' (This piece of clothing is very old) to describe something that is not new.
No, 旧 can also describe ideas or periods in history, such as '旧观念' (old concept).
While both mean 'old', 旧 is often used for objects, while 老 can describe people or age in a broader sense.
