Definitions

jiù (adjective) old; former
jiù (adjective) worn; used

Etymology

Simplified form of . Derived from the cursive form of the sound component .

About

is the simplified form of . It derives from the cursive rendering of , the sound component in . In cursive, was written with a shape resembling , which was then adopted as the standard simplified form. The traditional character combines (grass), (bird), and (mortar), originally representing an owl; it was later borrowed to convey the meaning "old" or "past". Today, retains that sense of something former or outdated, applying to objects, relationships, and periods of time, and stands as the opposite of "new".

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这本书很

Zhè běn shū hěn jiù.

This book is very old.

我的电脑坏了。

Wǒ de jiù diànnǎo huài le.

My old computer is broken.

她扔掉了玩具。

Tā rēng diào le jiù wánjù.

She threw away the old toys.

照片让我回忆过去。

Jiù zhàopiàn ràng wǒ huíyì guòqù.

Old photos make me recall the past.

这座桥需要维修。

Zhè zuò jiù qiáo xūyào wéixiū.

This old bridge needs maintenance.

社会,生活很艰难。

Zài jiù shèhuì, shēnghuó hěn jiānnán.

In the old society, life was very hard.

他怀念日的时光。

Tā huáiniàn jiù rì de shíguāng.

He misses the old days.

尽管这栋建筑了,但它仍然很有价值。

Jǐnguǎn zhè dòng jiànzhù jiù le, dàn tā réngrán hěn yǒu jiàzhí.

Even though this building is old, it is still very valuable.