jiù: 旧 - Old, Used, Former

• Keywords: jiù, 旧, Chinese for old, Chinese for used, old vs. lǎo, former, past, secondhand, antique, old-fashioned, Chinese adjective
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese adjective 旧 (jiù), the primary word for describing things that are old, used, or former. This page breaks down how to use jiù to talk about a used car, an old book, a former colleague, or even old-fashioned ideas. Discover the crucial difference between 旧 (jiù) and 老 (lǎo) to avoid common mistakes and understand the cultural nuances of what it means for something to be “old” in China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jiù
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: Describes something as being old (in condition), used, no longer new, or from a previous time.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 旧 (jiù) as the opposite of “new” (新 xīn). It's all about the state or condition of an inanimate object or an abstract concept. A phone becomes 旧 when a new model comes out. A book is 旧 if its pages are worn. A friendship can be 旧 if it's from the past. It focuses on something being replaced, worn out, or belonging to a time that has passed.

• 旧 (jiù): This is a single-character word. The character's origin is debated, but a simple way for learners to remember it is to see the components. The top part is 日 (rì), which means “sun” or “day.” The vertical line 丨 (gǔn) passing through it can represent the passage of time. Therefore, 旧 visually suggests that many days (日) have passed, causing something to become old.

In Chinese culture, the concept of “old” has two distinct sides, and 旧 (jiù) primarily represents one of them. 旧 (jiù) often carries a neutral-to-slightly-negative connotation of being “outdated,” “used,” or “worn out.” In modern China, with its rapid development, there is a strong cultural drive for the new (新 xīn) — new technology, new buildings, new clothes. In this context, calling something 旧 implies it's ready to be replaced. However, this is different from the deep respect for age and history, which is typically expressed with other words like 老 (lǎo) for people or 古 (gǔ) for antiques. A useful Western comparison is the difference between “used” and “vintage.” A “used car” is simply not new. A “vintage car” has special value because of its age. 旧车 (jiù chē) almost always means “used car,” not “vintage car.” While 旧 can describe an antique, it focuses on its age and condition rather than its historical value, which words like 古董 (gǔdǒng) capture better. This highlights a key Chinese value: precision in language to reflect the specific nature and value of “oldness.”

旧 (jiù) is an extremely common adjective in daily life.

• Describing Physical Objects: This is its most frequent use. It means “used,” “secondhand,” or simply “not new.”
  • e.g., 旧书 (jiù shū - old/used book), 旧衣服 (jiù yīfu - old clothes), 旧手机 (jiù shǒujī - old cell phone).
• Describing Former Relationships/Positions: It's used to specify that someone or something is from the past.
  • e.g., 旧同事 (jiù tóngshì - former colleague), 旧地址 (jiù dìzhǐ - old address), 旧情人 (jiù qíngrén - old flame/ex-lover).
• Describing Abstract Concepts: It can refer to ideas, eras, or habits that are from the past.
  • e.g., 旧思想 (jiù sīxiǎng - old-fashioned thinking), 旧社会 (jiù shèhuì - “the old society,” a specific term for China before 1949), 旧习惯 (jiù xíguàn - old habit).
• In Idiomatic Expressions:
  • 喜新厌旧 (xǐ xīn yàn jiù): “To like the new and loathe the old.” Describes someone who is fickle and always chasing novelty.
  • 念旧 (niànjiù): “To be sentimental about the past.” Describes a person who cherishes old memories, places, and relationships.

• Example 1:
  • 这件衣服太旧了，我想买件新的。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiàn yīfu tài jiù le, wǒ xiǎng mǎi jiàn xīn de.
  • English: This piece of clothing is too old, I want to buy a new one.
  • Analysis: A classic example of 旧 being used as the direct opposite of 新 (xīn - new) to describe an object's condition.
• Example 2:
  • 我在二手店买了一辆旧自行车。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zài èrshǒu diàn mǎi le yí liàng jiù zìxíngchē.
  • English: I bought a used bicycle at the secondhand store.
  • Analysis: Here, 旧 is synonymous with “secondhand” or “used.”
• Example 3:
  • 他是我的旧同事，我们很多年没见了。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì wǒ de jiù tóngshì, wǒmen hěn duō nián méi jiàn le.
  • English: He is my former colleague, we haven't seen each other for many years.
  • Analysis: 旧 indicates a past relationship or status. It doesn't mean the colleague himself is old, but that the working relationship is in the past.
• Example 4:
  • 我们还是在那个旧地方见面吧。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen háishì zài nàge jiù dìfāng jiànmiàn ba.
  • English: Let's just meet at that same old place.
  • Analysis: In this context, 旧 can mean “the usual” or “the one we went to before,” similar to how “old” is used in English here. It could also be expressed with `老地方 (lǎo dìfāng)`.
• Example 5:
  • 奶奶总是很念旧，舍不得扔掉老照片。
  • Pinyin: Nǎinai zǒngshì hěn niànjiù, shěbude rēngdiào lǎo zhàopiàn.
  • English: Grandma is always very sentimental; she can't bear to throw away old photos.
  • Analysis: This shows the abstract concept of 念旧 (niànjiù), which is generally seen as a warm, positive trait.
• Example 6:
  • 这种旧观念早就过时了。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng jiù guānniàn zǎo jiù guòshí le.
  • English: This kind of old-fashioned concept is long outdated.
  • Analysis: 旧 is used here to describe an abstract idea as “antiquated” or “obsolete,” carrying a negative connotation.
• Example 7:
  • 他很快就交了新女友，真是喜新厌旧。
  • Pinyin: Tā hěn kuài jiù jiāo le xīn nǚyǒu, zhēnshi xǐ xīn yàn jiù.
  • English: He got a new girlfriend so quickly, he really loves the new and despises the old.
  • Analysis: A perfect example of the idiom 喜新厌旧 (xǐ xīn yàn jiù), used to criticize someone for being fickle in relationships or with possessions.
• Example 8:
  • 我搬家的时候，处理掉了很多废旧电器。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bānjiā de shíhou, chǔlǐ diào le hěn duō fèijiù diànqì.
  • English: When I moved, I got rid of a lot of old and broken electronics.
  • Analysis: The compound word 废旧 (fèijiù) specifically means “waste and old,” referring to items that are discarded or ready for recycling.
• Example 9:
  • 历史书上讲了旧中国的样子。
  • Pinyin: Lìshǐ shū shàng jiǎng le jiù Zhōngguó de yàngzi.
  • English: The history book talked about what the old China was like.
  • Analysis: Here, 旧中国 (jiù Zhōngguó) is a common term referring to China before the founding of the PRC in 1949.
• Example 10:
  • 改掉一个旧习惯需要很大的毅力。
  • Pinyin: Gǎi diào yí ge jiù xíguàn xūyào hěn dà de yìlì.
  • English: Changing an old habit requires a lot of willpower.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates 旧 being used for an intangible concept like a habit.

The most critical mistake for learners is confusing 旧 (jiù) with 老 (lǎo). They both translate to “old,” but are not interchangeable.

• Rule 1: People vs. Things
  • Use 老 (lǎo) for the age of people and animals.
  • Use 旧 (jiù) for the condition of inanimate objects.
  • INCORRECT: 他很旧。 (Tā hěn jiù.) - This sounds like you're calling him a “used person.” It's a serious and strange mistake.
  • CORRECT: 他很老。 (Tā hěn lǎo.) - He is old.
  • CORRECT: 这本书很旧。 (Zhè běn shū hěn jiù.) - This book is old/worn.
• Rule 2: Affection/Familiarity vs. Condition
  • 老 (lǎo) can be used for objects or relationships to imply familiarity, affection, or a long-standing nature.
  • 旧 (jiù) focuses purely on the state of being “not new” or “from a former time.”
  • 老朋友 (lǎo péngyou): “Old friend” (a dear, long-time friend). This is a term of endearment.
  • 旧朋友 (jiù péngyou): Incorrect. This would imply a “used friend” or “ex-friend,” which sounds very odd. For an ex-friend, you would say 以前的朋友 (yǐqián de péngyou).
• False Friend: “Old”
  • In English, “old” can mean many things (aged, familiar, former). In Chinese, you must choose the right word.
  • “My old teacher” (meaning a respected, elderly teacher) → 我老师 (wǒ lǎoshī - *note: here 老 is part of the word for teacher, 老师*). Or, 我年老的老师 (wǒ niánlǎo de lǎoshī).
  • “My old teacher” (meaning a former teacher) → 我以前的老师 (wǒ yǐqián de lǎoshī). You wouldn't use 旧 here.

• 老 (lǎo) - The contrasting term for “old.” Used for the age of living things and to show familiarity or respect (老朋友 - old friend, 老师 - teacher).
• 新 (xīn) - The direct antonym of 旧. It means “new.”
• 二手 (èrshǒu) - A more specific, colloquial synonym meaning “secondhand.” Literally “second hand.” Very common when talking about buying and selling used goods.
• 陈旧 (chénjiù) - A more formal and often more negative term meaning “outmoded,” “antiquated,” or “obsolete.” Used for ideas, equipment, or styles.
• 过时 (guòshí) - Means “outdated” or “out of fashion.” Very similar to 陈旧 but more commonly used for fashion, styles, and technology.
• 古 (gǔ) - Means “ancient” or “antique.” Used when referring to things of great historical age and value, like 古代 (gǔdài - ancient times) or 古董 (gǔdǒng - antique).
• 以前 (yǐqián) - Means “before” or “in the past.” A common way to say “former” without using 旧, e.g., 我以前的公司 (wǒ yǐqián de gōngsī - my former company).
• 废旧 (fèijiù) - A compound word meaning “waste and old.” Refers to things to be discarded or recycled, like scrap metal or old appliances.