老少 (lǎo shǎo) — the old and the young; people of all ages

Definition

A collective noun meaning 'the old and the young; people of all ages', almost always paired with 皆宜/咸宜 to say something suits everyone — from kids to grandparents.

noun
the old and the youngpeople of all ages

Examples

  • 老少，。
    Zhè ge gōng yuán de huó dòng lǎo shǎo jiē yí, quán jiā rén dōu kě yǐ cān jiā.
    The activities in this park are suitable for all ages; the whole family can join.
  • 老少，。
    Zhè bù diàn yǐng lǎo shǎo xián yí, jù qíng jiǎn dān yòu yǒu qù.
    This movie is enjoyable for both young and old; the plot is simple and fun.
  • ，老少，。
    Chūn jié shí, lǎo shǎo tuán jù zài yì qǐ, fēi cháng rè nao.
    During the Spring Festival, the old and young gather together, very lively.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

老lǎoold
少shǎoyoung

老 means old and 少 means young, naming people of both ages.

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 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The form 少 is drawn as four dots, perhaps three grains of sand, to indicate a few or a little.

Open 少 →

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