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您老 (nín lǎo) — you (respectful, used for elderly people)

Definition

A respectful form of 'you' (您) for an elderly person, more deferential than plain 您 and softer than formal titles like 老人家.

pronoun
you (respectful, used for elderly people)

Examples

  • 您老？
    nín lǎo Shēn tǐ hái hǎo ma?
    How is your health, elder?
  • 您老，。
    nín lǎo Màn zǒu, lù shang xiǎo xīn.
    Take care, elder, and be careful on the road.
  • 您老，。
    nín lǎo Qǐng zuò, wǒ gěi nín dǎo chá.
    Please sit down, elder, I'll pour you some tea.

Origin

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape 您 is made by adding 心 (heart) to 你 (you).

Open 您 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape 老 combines 人 (man), 毛 (hair), and 匕 (cane), showing a man with long hair leaning on a cane.

Open 老 →
Appears in
Identity & Titles

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