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B2 noun 9 min read

叙旧

xujiu
Examples 叙旧 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 叙旧 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you don't need to use '叙旧' (xùjiù) yet, but it is helpful to know it means 'talking with old friends.' Think of it as 'Friend + Talk + Old.' At this stage, you would usually just say '我和朋友说话' (I talk with friends). However, if you hear someone say '叙旧,' just remember they are talking about things that happened a long time ago. It is a warm word used when people are happy to see each other after many years. You can imagine two people sitting with tea, smiling and saying 'Remember when...?' That is the heart of 叙旧. For an A1 learner, just recognize that '旧' (jiù) means 'old,' so this word must be about 'old' things.
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At the A2 level, you can start to understand that '叙旧' is a special kind of talking. It's not just 'chatting' (聊天), it is specifically for old friends or people you haven't seen in a while. You might use it in a simple sentence like '我和老同学叙旧' (I reminisce with old classmates). You are learning that Chinese often has specific words for specific social situations. '叙旧' is the word for the specific situation of meeting someone from your past. It's a great word to use when you want to show that you are not just talking about the weather, but about your shared history. Remember, it's always a social activity between two or more people.
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At the B1 level, you should be able to use '叙旧' in your own conversations. You can use it to suggest a meeting: '我们找个机会叙叙旧吧' (Let's find a chance to reminisce a bit). Notice the '叙叙旧' form—doubling the verb makes it sound more casual and friendly. At this level, you should also understand the difference between '叙旧' and '回忆' (huíyì). While both involve the past, '叙旧' is an action you do *with* someone else. You are also beginning to see it in more complex sentences, perhaps involving '虽然...但是...' (although... but...) to describe making time for friends despite a busy schedule. It's a key word for social fluency.
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At the B2 level, '叙旧' should be a natural part of your vocabulary. You understand its nuances—that it's slightly more formal than '聊天' and carries a sense of nostalgia. You can use it in professional contexts, such as when meeting a former colleague or boss, to maintain 'guanxi' (relationships). You should be comfortable using resultative or descriptive complements with it, like '叙旧叙了三个小时' (reminisced for three hours). You also recognize it in literature or news reports about reunions. At this level, you appreciate the cultural importance of the word in Chinese society, where maintaining long-term connections is highly valued.
At the C1 level, you can use '叙旧' with sophistication. You might use it in written Chinese or formal speeches to evoke a sense of shared history. You understand its related idioms and literary synonyms like '话旧.' You can use it metaphorically or in complex structures, such as '借叙旧之名，行公事之实' (under the guise of reminiscing, actually doing business). You are sensitive to the register—knowing when to use the casual '叙个旧' versus the formal '共话叙旧.' Your understanding includes the emotional weight the word carries in a culture that deeply values 'old friendships' (老交情).
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At the C2 level, your mastery of '叙旧' is complete. You can discuss the etymology of the characters—how '叙' relates to the systematic narration of events and how '旧' anchors the conversation in the past. You can use the word in high-level literary analysis or creative writing to create specific atmospheres of nostalgia or melancholy. You understand the subtle social cues when someone uses this word—whether it's a genuine emotional reach-out or a polite social convention. You can effortlessly switch between '叙旧' and more obscure classical terms depending on the audience, and you can explain the deep-seated cultural philosophy of 'not forgetting one's origins' that underpins the act of 叙旧.
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Examples

叙旧 in 30 Seconds

  • 叙旧 (xùjiù) is a Chinese verb meaning to reminisce or chat about the past with old friends.
  • It is a warm, social word used for reunions, holidays, and meetings with long-term acquaintances.
  • The word combines 'narrate' (叙) and 'old' (旧), emphasizing shared history rather than current news.
  • It is commonly used in phrases like '叙叙旧' or '找人叙旧' to suggest a friendly catch-up session.

The Chinese term 叙旧 (xùjiù) is a beautiful and culturally significant verb that translates to 'reminiscing about old times' or 'recounting the past.' At its linguistic core, it is a verb-object construction where 叙 (xù) means to narrate, recount, or chat, and 旧 (jiù) refers to old things, old friends, or the past. When combined, they describe the act of getting together with someone from your past—a childhood friend, a former classmate, or an old colleague—to share memories and catch up on everything that has happened since you last met. Unlike a simple 'catch-up' (which might focus only on the present), 叙旧 specifically implies a deep dive into shared history, invoking a sense of nostalgia and emotional connection.

The Social Function
In Chinese culture, 叙旧 is more than just a conversation; it is a vital social lubricant that maintains 'guanxi' (relationships). It often occurs in specific settings like tea houses, restaurants during a banquet, or during a festive visit to one's hometown. It serves to bridge the gap created by time and distance, reaffirming that the bond formed in the past remains strong today.
Emotional Resonance
The word carries a warm, slightly sentimental tone. It is used when the meeting is intentional and focused on the relationship itself. You wouldn't use 叙旧 for a quick, accidental encounter on the street; rather, it's for the 'sit-down' session where stories are swapped and laughs are shared over common history.

我们找个时间聚聚，好好叙旧吧。(Wǒmen zhǎo gè shíjiān jùju, hǎohǎo xùjiù ba.) — Let's find some time to get together and have a good reminisce.

From a grammatical perspective, 叙旧 is often preceded by adverbs that emphasize the depth or length of the conversation, such as 好好 (hǎohǎo - thoroughly) or 聚在一起 (jù zài yīqǐ - gather together). It is also common to see it in the structure '找某人叙旧' (zhǎo mǒurén xùjiù), meaning 'to seek someone out to reminisce.' Because it is a formal yet warm term, it appears frequently in literature, film scripts, and polite invitations. It avoids the casualness of 聊天 (liáotiān - chatting) and the clinical nature of 谈话 (tánhuà - talking), striking a perfect balance for social gatherings of old acquaintances.

老同学见面，少不了要叙旧一番。(Lǎo tóngxué jiànmiàn, shǎobuliǎo yào xùjiù yīfān.) — When old classmates meet, they inevitably have to reminisce for a while.

Using 叙旧 correctly involves understanding its role as a verb that describes a specific social action. While in English we might say 'we had a reminisce' (noun), in Chinese, 叙旧 is almost always the action itself. You '叙旧' with someone. It can be used in various registers, from formal letters to casual invitations among friends. To use it effectively, you should pair it with words that indicate the duration or the setting of the meeting.

Common Verb-Object Patterns
The most common pattern is [Subject] + [Prepositional Phrase with '跟' or '和'] + 叙旧. For example: '我昨天跟老张叙旧了' (I reminisced with Old Zhang yesterday). Another frequent structure is using it after '聚在一起' (gather together), as in '大家聚在一起叙旧' (everyone gathered together to reminisce).
Adding Emphasis
To describe the quality of the reminiscing, you can add 一番 (yīfān) at the end, which implies a session or a period of time. '叙旧一番' makes the action sound more complete and significant. You can also use 彻夜 (chèyè - all night) to say '彻夜叙旧' (reminisced all night long), highlighting the depth of the friendship.

多年未见，他们两人坐下来，慢慢地叙旧。(Duōnián wèi jiàn, tāmen liǎng rén zuò xiàlái, mànmàn de xùjiù.) — Not having seen each other for many years, the two of them sat down and slowly reminisced about the past.

It is important to note that 叙旧 is rarely used for people you see every day. You wouldn't '叙旧' with your current spouse or a colleague you had lunch with yesterday. The '旧' (old/past) element is essential. The word implies a gap in time that needs to be filled with storytelling. Furthermore, 叙旧 is usually a positive or neutral activity. It's about 'the good old days' or simply 'the old days.' If the conversation is about past grievances or settling scores, 叙旧 would be an inappropriate choice of words.

虽然时间紧迫，他还是抽出空来跟我叙旧。(Suīrán shíjiān jǐnpò, tā háishì chōuchū kòng lái gēn wǒ xùjiù.) — Although time was tight, he still made time to reminisce with me.

In contemporary Chinese life, you will encounter 叙旧 in several distinct contexts. One of the most common is the 同学聚会 (tóngxué jùhuì - class reunion). Whether it's a 10-year or 50-year reunion, the primary activity is always 叙旧. You'll hear people say, '我们今天不谈工作，只叙旧' (Let's not talk about work today, only reminisce). This sets a boundary for the conversation, focusing it on shared childhood or university experiences rather than current professional stresses.

Spring Festival and Holidays
During the Lunar New Year, when millions of people return to their hometowns, 叙旧 becomes a daily activity. Visiting relatives and old neighbors often involves sitting around a heater or a dinner table, cracking sunflower seeds, and '叙旧.' It's the linguistic backbone of the holiday's social fabric.
Literature and Media
In TV dramas and novels, 叙旧 is often used as a plot device. Two characters who haven't seen each other in years might meet in a tea house to 叙旧, which provides an opportunity for the audience to learn about their backstory through their dialogue. It's a natural way to provide exposition.

在咖啡馆里，两位老友正兴致勃勃地叙旧。(Zài kāfēiguǎn lǐ, liǎng wèi lǎoyǒu zhèng xìngzhì-bóbó de xùjiù.) — In the coffee shop, two old friends are enthusiastically reminiscing.

You will also hear this word in professional settings, though with a different nuance. If an old boss or mentor invites you to 叙旧, it is often a polite way to maintain a professional network without the pressure of a formal meeting. It suggests a more relaxed atmosphere where advice might be given or new opportunities discussed under the guise of 'catching up.' In these cases, 叙旧 acts as a polite 'wrapper' for networking.

借着这次出差的机会，我顺便去找老领导叙旧。(Jièzhe zhè cì chūchāi de jīhuì, wǒ shùnbiàn qù zhǎo lǎo lǐngdǎo xùjiù.) — Taking the opportunity of this business trip, I dropped by to reminisce with my former supervisor.

While 叙旧 seems straightforward, English speakers often make mistakes by confusing it with other 'talking' or 'memory' related words. The most common error is using 叙旧 to mean 'remembering' something by yourself. Remember: 叙旧 is a social activity. You cannot 叙旧 alone in your room; that would be 回忆 (huíyì) or 怀念 (huáiniàn). 叙旧 requires at least two people who share the same past.

Confusion with 聊天 (liáotiān)
Many learners use 聊天 (chatting) when they should use 叙旧. While 叙旧 is a type of chatting, 聊天 is too generic. If you meet an old friend and spend three hours talking about high school, calling it 聊天 undersells the emotional depth and the specific focus of the conversation. Conversely, calling a chat about the weather 叙旧 would be incorrect because there's no 'old' (旧) content.
Misusing the Object
In English, we say 'reminisce about the past.' In Chinese, you don't say '叙旧过去' (reminisce about the past) because the 'past' is already built into the word 旧. Saying '叙旧过去' is redundant, like saying 'reminisce about old memories of the past.' Simply say '叙旧' or '叙叙旧.'

❌ 我喜欢一个人坐在窗边叙旧。
✅ 我喜欢一个人坐在窗边回忆往事。

Another mistake is using 叙旧 for new acquaintances. You cannot 叙旧 with someone you just met, even if you are talking about your respective childhoods. Since you don't share that 'old' time together, the '叙' (narrating) is just giving information, not 're-narrating' shared history. For new friends, use 交流 (jiāoliú - exchange/communicate) or 分享 (fēnxiǎng - share).

❌ 我们刚认识，坐下来叙旧吧。
✅ 我们刚认识，坐下来聊聊吧。

To truly master 叙旧, it is helpful to compare it with its synonyms and related terms. Each has a slightly different shade of meaning, and choosing the right one will make your Chinese sound much more natural and precise.

叙旧 vs. 回忆 (huíyì)
回忆 is the general word for 'to remember' or 'memory.' It can be a mental process (thinking) or a social one (talking). 叙旧 is strictly social and communicative. You can 回忆 your childhood alone, but you need a friend to 叙旧.
叙旧 vs. 谈心 (tánxīn)
谈心 means 'to have a heart-to-heart talk.' While 叙旧 focuses on the past, 谈心 focuses on current feelings, secrets, or deep personal thoughts. You might 叙旧 for an hour and then transition into 谈心 as the conversation gets deeper.
叙旧 vs. 怀旧 (huáijiù)
怀旧 is 'nostalgia' or 'to be nostalgic.' It is often used as an adjective (e.g., 怀旧音乐 - nostalgic music). 叙旧 is the action of talking about those nostalgic things. You feel 怀旧, so you go to 叙旧.

他们不仅在叙旧，还在深入地谈心。(Tāmen bùjǐn zài xùjiù, hái zài shēnrù de tánxīn.) — They are not only reminiscing but also having a deep heart-to-heart.

For more literary or formal contexts, you might see 话旧 (huàjiù), which is a near-exact synonym of 叙旧 but slightly more classical in feel. In casual speech, people often just say 叙叙 (xùxu) or 聊聊过去 (liáoliao guòqù). If you want to describe a group of people reminiscing, 共话桑麻 (gòng huà sāng má) is a beautiful, very traditional idiom that literally means 'talking together about mulberry and hemp' (farming), but figuratively means chatting about daily life and old times with friends.

我们这次聚会的主题就是“叙旧与展望”。(Wǒmen zhè cì jùhuì de zhǔtí jiùshì 'xùjiù yǔ zhǎnwàng'.) — The theme of our gathering this time is 'Reminiscing and Looking Forward.'

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Examples by Level

1

我和老朋友叙旧。

I reminisce with an old friend.

Subject + 和 + Person + 叙旧.

2

他们在那儿叙旧。

They are reminiscing over there.

Using '在那儿' to indicate location.

3

你想叙旧吗？

Do you want to reminisce?

Simple question with 吗.

4

我们一起叙旧。

We reminisce together.

Using '一起' (together).

5

叙旧很开心。

Reminiscing is very happy.

叙旧 acting as the subject.

6

老师和学生叙旧。

The teacher and student reminisce.

Social roles in reminiscing.

7

爸爸在和叔叔叙旧。

Dad is reminiscing with Uncle.

Present continuous with '在'.

8

我们要去叙旧。

We are going to reminisce.

Using '要去' for future intent.

1

我们找个地方叙旧吧。

Let's find a place to reminisce.

Using '找个地方' (find a place).

2

他回来是为了叙旧。

He came back in order to reminisce.

Using '是为了' to show purpose.

3

我有空就去跟你叙旧。

I'll go reminisce with you when I'm free.

Conditional '...就...' structure.

4

老同学聚在一起叙旧。

Old classmates gather together to reminisce.

Verb phrase '聚在一起'.

5

叙旧的时候，他哭了。

While reminiscing, he cried.

Using '的时候' (when/during).

6

他们叙旧叙了很久。

They reminisced for a long time.

Verb duplication for duration.

7

我想找你叙叙旧。

I want to find you to reminisce a bit.

Reduplicated verb '叙叙旧'.

8

叙旧让他们很感动。

Reminiscing made them very moved.

Causative '让' (make/let).

1

趁着过年，大家叙叙旧。

Taking advantage of the New Year, everyone reminisces.

Using '趁着' (taking advantage of).

2

我们边喝茶边叙旧。

We reminisce while drinking tea.

Structure '边...边...' (simultaneous actions).

3

叙旧是这次聚会的主题。

Reminiscing is the theme of this gathering.

Noun phrase as the subject.

4

他专门从国外回来叙旧。

He specifically came back from abroad to reminisce.

Using '专门' (specifically).

5

叙旧能增进朋友的感情。

Reminiscing can improve friends' feelings.

Using '能' (can/be able to).

6

别只顾着叙旧，快吃饭吧。

Don't just focus on reminiscing, eat quickly.

Using '只顾着' (only caring about).

7

他们找了一个安静的咖啡馆叙旧。

They found a quiet cafe to reminisce.

Attributive clause with '的'.

8

叙旧让他想起了童年。

Reminiscing made him think of his childhood.

Structure '想起' (recall).

1

多年未见，我们要好好叙旧一番。

Having not met for years, we must have a good reminisce.

Using '一番' to indicate a session of action.

2

会议结束后，几个老同事留下来叙旧。

After the meeting ended, several old colleagues stayed behind to reminisce.

Time phrase '...结束后'.

3

叙旧的话题总是离不开校园生活。

Reminiscing topics always can't get away from campus life.

Idiomatic '离不开' (cannot do without).

4

他带着礼物去老家找童年玩伴叙旧。

He took gifts to his hometown to find his childhood playmate to reminisce.

Serial verb construction.

5

虽然只是短暂地叙旧，他也很满足。

Although it was just a brief reminisce, he was very satisfied.

Conjunction '虽然...也...'.

6

叙旧不仅是聊天，更是一种情怀。

Reminiscing is not just chatting, but more of a sentiment.

Structure '不仅是...更是...'.

7

他们在雨后的长亭里叙旧。

They reminisced in the pavilion after the rain.

Descriptive setting.

8

通过叙旧，他们消除了之前的误会。

Through reminiscing, they cleared up previous misunderstandings.

Preposition '通过' (through).

1

老友重逢，把酒叙旧，人生一大乐事。

Old friends reunite, drinking wine and reminiscing, one of life's great joys.

Four-character literary style.

2

叙旧之余，他们也谈到了未来的计划。

Besides reminiscing, they also talked about future plans.

Structure '...之余' (in addition to/aside from).

3

这封信字里行间流露出叙旧的渴望。

Between the lines of this letter, a longing to reminisce is revealed.

Idiom '字里行间' (between the lines).

4

他们沉浸在叙旧的氛围中，忘记了时间。

They were immersed in the atmosphere of reminiscing and forgot the time.

Verb '沉浸' (immerse).

5

叙旧往往能勾起人们对往昔岁月的无限感慨。

Reminiscing often evokes infinite emotions about the years gone by.

Using '勾起' (evoke/bring up).

6

他此行的目的并非公事，而是为了与故人叙旧。

The purpose of his trip was not business, but to reminisce with an old friend.

Contrast '并非...而是...'.

7

在叙旧的过程中，许多尘封的记忆被唤醒了。

In the process of reminiscing, many dusty memories were awakened.

Passive voice with '被'.

8

叙旧是一种情感的慰藉，也是对青春的致敬。

Reminiscing is a comfort for emotions and a tribute to youth.

Metaphorical usage.

1

两人于寒夜围炉叙旧，意境极美。

The two of them sat by the stove on a cold night reminiscing; the atmosphere was exquisite.

Classical Chinese phrasing '围炉叙旧'.

2

叙旧固然美好，但人总要向前看。

Reminiscing is certainly beautiful, but one must always look forward.

Conjunction '固然' (admittedly/it's true that).

3

他在自传中详尽地描述了与恩师叙旧的情景。

In his autobiography, he described in detail the scene of reminiscing with his mentor.

Adverbial '详尽地' (in detail).

4

叙旧不仅仅是复述过去，更是一种精神的共鸣。

Reminiscing is not just repeating the past, but a spiritual resonance.

Philosophical definition.

5

这种叙旧式的交流，让冰冷的商业谈判多了一丝温情。

This reminiscing-style communication added a touch of warmth to the cold business negotiations.

Adjectival '叙旧式' (reminiscing-style).

6

岁月流转，唯有叙旧时那份真挚的情感未曾改变。

As time passes, only that sincere emotion during reminiscing remains unchanged.

Literary '唯有...未曾...'.

7

他们避开了沉重的话题，只管在轻松的叙旧中寻找慰藉。

They avoided heavy topics and simply sought solace in relaxed reminiscing.

Using '只管' (just/simply).

8

叙旧，是连接过去与现在的桥梁，是心灵的归宿。

Reminiscing is the bridge connecting past and present, the home of the soul.

Abstract metaphorical definition.

Common Collocations

好好叙旧
叙旧一番
找人叙旧
聚在一起叙旧
边喝茶边叙旧
叙旧的话题
彻夜叙旧
难得叙旧
叙旧的情绪
专门叙旧

Common Phrases

叙叙旧

— A casual way to say 'reminisce a bit.' Doubling the verb softens the tone.

咱们找个地方叙叙旧吧。

叙个旧

— Similar to '叙叙旧,' adding '个' makes it sound more informal and colloquial.

走，咱们叙个旧去。

叙旧会

— A gathering or meeting specifically for the purpose of reminiscing.

这是一次难忘的叙旧会。

借机叙旧

— To take an opportunity (like a business trip) to reminisce with someone.

他借机向老领导叙旧。

叙旧谈心

— A combination phrase meaning to reminisce and have a heart-to-heart talk.

母女俩坐在一起叙旧谈心。

叙旧叙情

— Reminiscing and expressing feelings/affection.

老战友们在一起叙旧叙情。

叙旧往事

— Reminiscing about past events (though slightly redundant, it is used for emphasis).

他们一直在叙旧往事。

停下来叙旧

— To stop what one is doing to have a reminisce.

两位邻居在路边停下来叙旧。

共话叙旧

— To talk together and reminisce, often used in formal invitations.

诚邀各位校友共话叙旧。

忙着叙旧

— Being busy with the act of reminiscing.

大家都忙着叙旧，没注意我进来。

Idioms & Expressions

"叙旧话新"

— To talk about the past and discuss the present/new things.

老友见面，少不了叙旧话新。

Neutral
"一叙旧情"

— To have a talk about old feelings or a past relationship.

他想跟前妻一叙旧情，但被拒绝了。

Neutral
"重温旧梦"

— To relive an old dream or experience a past joy again.

回到母校，仿佛重温旧梦。

Literary
"故友重"
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