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老先生 (lǎo xiān shēng) — old gentleman (respectful term for an elderly man, often implying learning or status)

Definition

A respectful address for an elderly man, often suggesting learning or high status (e.g. a scholar). More honorific than 先生 alone and never used for oneself.

noun
old gentleman (respectful term for an elderly man, often implying learning or status)
Measure word · 位

Examples

  • 老先生。
    Nà wèi lǎo xiān shēng shì zhù míng de lì shǐ xué jiā.
    That old gentleman is a famous historian.
  • 老先生，。
    lǎo xiān shēng, Nín xiān qǐng zuò.
    Sir, please have a seat first.
  • 老先生，。
    Zhè wèi lǎo xiān shēng yǐ jīng jiǔ shí duō suì le, shēn tǐ hái hěn yìng lǎng.
    This old gentleman is over ninety and still in good health.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

老lǎoold or venerable
先生gentleman or teacher
先xiānearlier生shēngborn
偏正Modifier + head

老 means old or venerable and 先生 means gentleman or teacher, so the word names an elderly sir.

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.

先 combines 止 (foot) and 儿 (person) to show someone moving forward.

Open 先 →

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

生 shows 屮 (a bud) above 一 (the ground), drawing a sprout coming up from the earth.

Open 生 →
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