Meaning:

old, used, former

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.”

Words:

   旧大陆 (jiùdàlù): Old World

   旧地    (jiùdì)   : a once-familiar place

   旧病   (jiùbìng): an old illness

   陈旧    (chén jiù): obsolete

   旧事 (jiùshì) : past events/things

Examples:

1. 他因为旧病复发不能去上班了。

    Tā yīnwèi jiùbìngfùfā bùnéng qù shàngbān le

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

2. 这些是我收藏的旧书。

    Zhèxiē shì wǒ shōucáng de jiùshū

    This is my collection of old books.