Definitions
(adjective)
old (of people); elderly; aged
(adjective)
experienced; of long standing
(adverb)
always; all the time
(particle)
prefix indicating familiarity or respect
Etymology
Pictograph of a right-side up person (亻) and an upside-down person (𠤎), depicting the meaning "turn around" or "transform".
About
The character "老" originated from early pictorial concepts representing an elderly individual, with its modern form evolving into a structure combining the components "耂" and "匕", which historically derived from visual cues associated with age such as long hair or a supporting stick. Its primary meaning centered on the state of being old, but over time it acquired broader connotations of venerability and accumulated experience, leading to its use as an honorific prefix in terms denoting seniority or mastery, such as in titles for teachers or seasoned practitioners. This semantic expansion reflects the cultural valuation of age and wisdom, while the character's enduring form continues to echo its initial focus on the elderly.
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。