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老兄 (lǎo xiōng) — (informal address) brother, buddy, old chap — used between male friends

Definition

A friendly, masculine way to address a male friend, like 'old chap' or 'buddy' in English. It is more casual and brotherly than formal address terms such as 先生, and is used only between close male acquaintances.

noun
(informal address) brother, buddy, old chap — used between male friends
Measure word · 位

Examples

  • 老兄，，？
    lǎo xiōng, Hǎo jiǔ bú jiàn, zuì jìn máng shén me ne?
    Hey buddy, long time no see — what have you been busy with lately?
  • 老兄，。
    lǎo xiōng, Zhè jiàn shì nǐ kě dé bāng wǒ yí xià.
    Old chap, you've got to help me with this one.
  • ，老兄，？
    Bié kè qi le, lǎo xiōng, zán men shuí gēn shuí a?
    Don't be so polite, buddy — we're close friends, aren't we?

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

老lǎofamiliar
兄xiōngbrother

老兄 addresses a male friend as 兄 (brother) with the familiar 老.

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 兄 puts 口, a mouth, above 儿 to express the idea of giving orders; this fits the old meaning of an elder brother.

Open 兄 →
Appears in
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