旧(きゅう)

A common prefix meaning 'old' or 'former,' used in a wide range of formal and everyday compounds. Contrasts with 新(しん) (new).

Compounds

• 旧姓(きゅうせい) — maiden name, former surname
• 旧友(きゅうゆう) — old friend
• 旧暦(きゅうれき) — old (lunar) calendar
• 旧校舎(きゅうこうしゃ) — old school building
• 旧式(きゅうしき) — old-fashioned, outdated
• 旧市街(きゅうしがい) — old town, old city center
• 旧正月(きゅうしょうがつ) — Lunar New Year
• 旧約聖書(きゅうやくせいしょ) — Old Testament

Similar words

• 元(もと) — former, ex- (less formal; used with people: 元彼(もとかれ) 'ex-boyfriend')
• 古(ふる) — old (in the sense of aged/worn, not 'former')
• 前(ぜん) — previous, former (e.g., 前社長(ぜんしゃちょう) 'former president')

Usage

旧(きゅう) is more formal and literary than 元(もと). It emphasizes that something has been officially replaced or superseded, while 元(もと) is more casual and commonly used for personal relationships.