====== jiù: 旧 - Old, Used, Former ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **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.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **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.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **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.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
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**旧 (jiù)** often carries a neutral-to-slightly-negative connotation of being "outdated," "used," or "worn out."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."
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**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 Sentences =====
  * **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 niàn**jiù**, 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.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
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.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[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.