Write 旧(jiù) (old) in Chinese character

旧(jiù)

Origin:

本义是“鸺”（猫头鹰类）。甲骨文的字形像一只有着圆睁的眼睛和翘起的头羽的凶鸟，正蹲踞在巢里。后来假借为新旧的“旧”，本义就不存在了。

This character’s original meaning was “鸺,” a kind of owl. On oracle bone inscriptions, it looked like a fierce bird perched in a nest, its eyes open wide and the feathers on its head raised. Later, the meaning changed to “old.”

Meaning:

old, used, former

Words:

旧事(jiùshì): past events/things
陈旧(chén jiù): obsolete
旧病(jiùbìng): an old illness
旧地(jiùdì): a once-familiar place
旧大陆(jiùdàlù): Old World

Sentences:

1、Zhèxiē shì wǒ shōucáng de jiùshū.
这些是我收藏的旧书。

This is my collection of old books.

2、Tā yīnwèi jiùbìngfùfā bùnéng qù shàngbān le.
他因为旧病复发不能去上班了。

He can’t go to work because of a relapse in his illness.