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老实 (lǎo shi) — honest, sincere, straightforward; naive, gullible

Definition

老实 covers two distinct senses: ‘honest/straightforward’ (about character, as in 老实说) versus ‘naive/easily fooled.’ 憨厚 emphasizes the honest-simple side; 天真 highlights the innocent-naive side.

adjective
honestsincerestraightforwardnaivegullible

Examples

  • 老实，。
    lǎo shi Shuō, wǒ bú tài xǐ huan zhè ge diàn yǐng.
    Frankly speaking, I don't really like this movie.
  • 老实，。
    Tā zhè ge rén hěn lǎo shi, cóng lái bù shuō huǎng.
    He is a very honest person; he never lies.
  • 老实，。
    Nǐ tài lǎo shi le, bié rén piàn nǐ nǐ dōu bù zhī dào.
    You are too naive; others cheat you and you don't even know.

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lǎo
实shítrue

The 老 gives a familiar, steady sense to 实, which means true or honest.

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.

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 →
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