Chinese Conversation · Level 17
90 words
Chinese word
旧
Pronunciation
Pinyinjiù
Meaning
- adjectiveold
Example
这件衣服很旧。zhè jiàn yī fú hěn jiù
This garment is very old.
More examples
他把旧钱包扔了，买了一个新的。tā bǎ jiù qián bāo rēng le mǎi le yí gè xīn de
He threw away his old wallet and bought a new one.
Core concept
The trace of time on an object or the pastness of a role, connection, or condition.
Common phrases
旧房子jiù fáng zi
old house
旧钱包jiù qián bāo
old wallet
Similar words
老旧lǎo jiù: Aged in a way that makes appearance or performance worse.
破旧pò jiù: Damaged and worn from being used for many years.
陈旧chén jiù: Outdated and lacking freshness in ideas, styles, or objects.
Definition in Chinese
经过时间，年代较久，不是新的，常用来形容物品或事物的陈旧状态。jīng guò shí jiān nián dài jiào jiǔ bú shì xīn de cháng yòng lái xíng róng wù pǐn huò shì wù de chén jiù zhuàng tài
Word origin
旧 (jiù, "old") preserves the inherited meaning of its traditional written form, connecting the idea of age with things that are no longer new or current.
Usage tips
- English speakers often hear a neutral age label, but this adjective can carry a stronger sense of no longer being new or current, making tone and context important in everyday descriptions.
Other meanings
- wornadjective
- formeradjective
Opposites
- 新xīnnewadjective
Related words
- 旧货jiù huòused goodsnoun