旧
old times, old things, old friend, former, ex-
Readings
On'yomi
- キュウ
Kun'yomi
- ふる.い
- もと
Meaning
旧 centers on the past: old times, old things, or a former state. It applies to anything that is no longer current, including ex-relationships and old friends.
Most common words using 旧
20 of 187- 旧きゅうN3
old; former; ex-
- 復旧ふっきゅうN2
restoration; restitution; rehabilitation
- 新旧しんきゅう
new and old; incoming and outgoing
- 旧作きゅうさく
old work; existing work
- 旧友きゅうゆうN1
old friend; old pal
- 旧来きゅうらい
traditional; from ancient times; formerly
- 旧式きゅうしきN1
old type; old style
- 旧約きゅうやく
old promise; old agreement; old covenant
- 旧暦きゅうれき
Japan's old (lunisolar) calendar
- 旧姓きゅうせいN2
one's original family name; maiden name
- 旧型きゅうがた
old model; old type; old style
- 旧態きゅうたい
old state of affairs
- 旧知きゅうちN1
old friend; old acquaintance
- 旧版きゅうはん
old edition
- 旧道きゅうどう
old road
- 旧石器時代きゅうせっきじだい
Paleolithic; Palaeolithic; Old Stone Age
- 旧名きゅうめい
former name; maiden name
- 旧家きゅうか
old family; old-established family
- 旧制きゅうせい
old system; old order
- 旧盆きゅうぼん
Bon Festival of the lunar calendar
Study
Etymology
旧 is the modern simplified form of 舊. The older form is complex and unrelated to the modern components; the simplification replaced it with a new shape that visually suggests something old or worn.
Meaning mnemonic
The left vertical stroke looks like a worn-down edge, and the right side is 日 (day). Picture an old calendar where the days are marked off one by one, leaving a worn, aged appearance.
Reading mnemonic
For キュウ, imagine an old, dusty cue ball in a pool hall: cue -> キュウ, and the ball is so old it's practically an antique.