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老老实实 (lǎo lǎo shí shí) — (adv./adj.) honestly, earnestly, in a well-behaved manner

Definition

Reduplicated adverb/adjective meaning 'honestly and earnestly' — stronger and more emphatic than 诚实, with a tone of plain, unflashy behavior (no tricks, no shortcuts).

(adv./adj.) honestlyearnestlyin a well-behaved manner

Examples

  • 老老实实，？
    Nǐ lǎo lǎo shí shí dì gào sù wǒ, zhè jiàn shì bú shì nǐ de cuò?
    Tell me honestly, is this matter not your fault?
  • 老老实实，。
    Tā zhè ge rén lǎo lǎo shí shí, cóng bù shuǎ huā zhāo.
    He is an honest person and never plays tricks.
  • 老老实实，。
    Zuò xué wèn dé lǎo lǎo shí shí, bù néng jí gōng jìn lì.
    Doing academic research requires earnestness; you can't seek quick success.

Origin

Reduplicated word
构词法gòucífǎ
重叠chóngdiéReduplication

A syllable said twice — for affection, for softness, or simply because that is how the word is said.

老老
老lǎoold老lǎoold
实实
实shísolid实shísolid

老 and 实 repeat to give the honest, earnest sense of 老实.

Characters in this word

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 →

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 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 實; 实 is its simplified writing.

  • 宀宀miánroof
  • 周周zhōucarved jade
  • 貝貝bèishellfish; cowrie

The traditional form 實 has 宀 'roof' above 周 'carved jade' and 貝 'cowrie'; the simplified 实 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical pieces.

Open 实 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 實; 实 is its simplified writing.

  • 宀宀miánroof
  • 周周zhōucarved jade
  • 貝貝bèishellfish; cowrie

The traditional form 實 has 宀 'roof' above 周 'carved jade' and 貝 'cowrie'; the simplified 实 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical pieces.

Open 实 →
Appears in
Idioms & Set PhrasesPersonality & Traits

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