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I am learning Kanji using Kanji Damage deck on Anki and I came across this
vocabulary for 古:

> [中]{ちゅう}古{こ} の XXX : used XXX

If I try to literally translate 中古:

> [中]{ちゅう}(middle/central) + 古{こ}(old) = middle old ?

After a quick search on wictionary, I found that one of the etymology for the
word says it is Japanese invention
([link](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E4%B8%AD%E5%8F%A4)).

> Wasei kango (和製漢語), borrowing from Japanese [中]{ちゅう}古{こ}‎ (chūko,
> “secondhand”)

Is there a reason why 中 is used with 古 here while [古]{ふる}[着]{ぎ} means old/used
clothes without any need of 中 ?
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2016-12-29T12:33:02.827
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question
words kanji etymology
Is there a reason why [中]{ちゅう}[古]{こ} means used/second-hand items ?
While it does mean _middle ages_ in historical context when you pronounce it
ちゅうこ{HHLL}, the "secondhand" definition (read ちゅうこ{LLHH}) is unrelated to
that.

In this word
[中【ちゅう】](http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/jn/142924/meaning/m0u/%E4%B8%AD/) stands
for "not completely (being one side); so-so":

> **２** 程度・価値・等級・序列などがなかほどであること。良くも悪くもないこと。

So 中古 literally means "half-old", that is not worn down to a nub, still
usable. Historically the reading
[ちゅうぶる](http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/jn/143665/meaning/m0u/%E3%81%A1%E3%82%85%E3%81%86%E3%81%B6%E3%82%8B/)
is first attested, but it's almost dying out as far as I know.

> _Is there a reason why 中 is used with 古 here while 古着 means old/used clothes
> without any need of 中 ?_

That's complicated, but mostly because it's an established word. Not so many
words attached by 古- actually mean "secondhand". 古着, 古本 and 古道具 maybe?
Otherwise they'll mean really old.

> **古本** 、 **中古** コミック、 **中古** 漫画の買取や購入は日本最大級のコミック通販サイト ネットオフをご利用ください。
> ([Source](http://www.netoff.co.jp/index.jsp))

FYI there is a derived word 新古 to mean un-used goods that aren't able to be
sold as new stocks for some reason.
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2016-12-29T23:25:45.710
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2016-12-29T23:33:42.597
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answer
"中古" means just used but usable with or without renovation.

"中古" is most commonly used for the used but still usable things.

"中古住宅"、"中古車"、"中古マンション（We Japanese call just コンドミニアム as マンション）"、”中古パソコン”

"中" of "中古" perhaps indicates the condition of the thing that is once used but
still usable.
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