Kanji 旧 old times, old things, old friend Related words 古ふる 巣す 古巣 is the common word for 'old nest' or 'former haunt', used both literally and figuratively (e.g., returning to a former workplace). 旧棲 is a rare literary synonym.
昔むかし の 家いえ 昔の家 is a plain, everyday expression for 'old house' or 'former home'. 旧棲 is more poetic and less specific.
Written forms 旧きゅう 棲せい
Rare kanji spelling; the character 棲 means 'dwelling' or 'habitat' and is not in common use. The variant 旧栖 is also attested.
旧きゅう 栖せい
Variant spelling using 栖 , also rare. Both kanji forms are literary and seldom encountered in modern writing.
Etymology Compound of 旧 (former, old) and 棲 (dwelling, habitat). The reading きゅうせい follows standard on'yomi. The variant 旧栖 uses a different character for 'dwelling' with the same reading. The word is not commonly used in modern Japanese.
Report an issue with this page
Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
