Definition
老 (lǎo) has three main uses at HSK 3: (1) as an adjective meaning 'old' for people (not objects—use 旧 jiù for old things); (2) as a prefix before surnames (老张 Lǎo Zhāng) to show familiarity; and (3) as an adverb meaning 'always, all the time' (他老迟到 'he is always late'). For the adverb sense, 成天 (chéng tiān) is a near-synonym but emphasizes 'all day long' rather than just frequent repetition.
old (of people)prefix used before surnames to indicate familiarity or affectionalwaysall the time
Easily confused
- 北běilook-alikenorth
- 牢láosound-alikeprison
- 它tālook-alikeit
- 捞lāosound-aliketo fish out, to dredge up (from liquid)
- 此cǐlook-alikethis; these
- 涝làosound-alikeflooded (of land, due to excessive rain)
Examples
- 老。lǎo Zhāng shì wǒ de hǎo péngyou.Lao Zhang is my good friend.
- 老，。Wǒ nǎinai lǎo le, tā zài jiā xiūxi.My grandmother is old, she rests at home.
- 老，。Tā lǎo chídào, lǎoshī hěn bù gāoxìng.He is always late, the teacher is very unhappy.
Grammar
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