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Kotomora

旧

old times, old things, old friend, former, ex-

JLPTN2StatusJōyō · grade 5FrequencyTop 1,000Strokes5

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 It applies to anything that is no longer current, including ex-relationships and old friends.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

Explore all words using 旧 →

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.