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老弟 (lǎo dì) — (affectionate address) younger fellow, my boy, buddy (used with male juniors or close male friends)

Definition

老弟 (lǎo dì) is a familiar, friendly address to a male junior or close male friend — like 'buddy' or 'my boy.' The 老- prefix is warm but informal, not the same as the kinship term 弟弟.

noun
(affectionate address) younger fellowmy boybuddy (used with male juniors or close male friends)

Examples

  • 老弟，。
    lǎo dì, Zhè jiàn shì jiù bài tuō nǐ le.
    Buddy, I'm counting on you for this.
  • ，老弟，。
    Bié dān xīn, lǎo dì, yǒu kùn nan wǒ bāng nǐ.
    Don't worry, my boy; if you have troubles, I'll help you.
  • 老弟，，。
    lǎo dì, Hǎo jiǔ bú jiàn, nǐ shòu le bù shǎo.
    Hey man, long time no see — you've lost a lot of weight.

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 address element
弟dìyounger brother

The affectionate element 老 combines with 弟 'younger brother' to address a male junior or close friend.

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.

弟 pictures a spear handle wrapped in a leather strap. The wrapping showed order, and that meaning was extended to a younger brother.

Open 弟 →
Appears in
Friends & SocialFamily & Kinship5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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