Definition
旧账 (jiù zhàng) literally means 'old debt' or 'overdue account', but it's more frequently used figuratively to refer to past grievances or unresolved issues that people bring up again. The common verb phrase 翻旧账 (fān jiù zhàng) means 'to bring up old scores', and 算旧账 (suàn jiù zhàng) means 'to settle old scores'. The figurative sense carries a negative connotation, implying lingering resentment or conflict.
n
old debtoverdue account(figurative) old grudgepast grievance to settle
Examples
- 旧账。Tā bǎ jiù zhàng dōu huán qīng le.He paid off all his old debts.
- 旧账,。Bié zǒngshì fān jiù zhàng, wǒmen yīnggāi wǎngqián kàn.Don't always bring up old scores; we should look forward.
- ,旧账。Zhè jiàn shì yǐjīng guòqù le, bú yào zài tí jiù zhàng le.This matter is over; don't bring up old grievances again.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.