佬 (lǎo) — (suffix) used after nouns to refer to a person, often with a derogatory or informal connotation
Definition
佬 is a colloquial suffix attached to a noun to label a type of person, often with a casual, rough, or slightly dismissive tone (e.g. 美国佬, 大佬).
suffix
used after nouns to refer to a person, often with a derogatory or informal connotation
Examples
- 佬。Nà ge měi guó lǎo bú tài kè qi.That American guy isn't very polite.
- ，。Cūn lǐ yǒu gè xiāng ba lǎo, méi rén yuàn yì lǐ tā.There's a hick in the village; nobody wants to deal with him.
- 佬，。Tā shì gōng sī de dà lǎo, dà jiā dōu tīng tā de.He's the big boss at the company; everyone listens to him.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
佬 combines 亻, a person, with 老, which gives the pronunciation.
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