Definitions
Etymology
Pictograph of an old person with long hair bent over and leaning on a cane.
About
Originating as a pictograph, 老 depicts an old person with long hair, bent over and leaning on a cane. The upper component 耂 suggests the long hair or a stooped posture, while the lower component 匕 (bǐ) originally represented a walking stick. The combination of a bending figure and a cane conveys the meaning of old age. Over time, the character's significance broadened to encompass qualities associated with aging, such as experience, veteran status, and longstanding familiarity, and it is frequently used as a respectful prefix for teachers, professionals, and long-time acquaintances.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他是我的老师。
老人需要帮助。
老板今天不在。
我很想念老家。
老虎是野生动物。
他是个老实的人。
她做事非常老练。
老朋友见面总是很高兴。
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