Comparing "lao" and "jiu"
Both 旧 (jiù) and 老 (lǎo) mean “old”.
| 旧 (jiù) | 老 (lǎo) | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | worn out | aged, long period of existence, experienced，habitual manner or place |
| Part of Speech | adjective | adjective |
| Formality | formal and informal | formal and informal |
Differences
Common Phrases
These phrases work ONLY with 旧（jiù）：
- ～衣服
- ～东西
- ～电视
- ～电脑
- ～手机
- ～家具
- ～自行车
These phrases work ONLY with 老（lǎo）：
- ～人
- ～树
- ～朋友
- ～同事
- ～手
- ～司机
- ～样子
- ～地方
Example Sentences
In the following sentences, ONLY 旧（jiù）can be used:
In the following sentences, ONLY 老（lǎo）can be used:
