老表 (lǎo biǎo) — (colloquial, regional) buddy, pal (friendly term for a male stranger); male cousin (on maternal side or paternal aunt's side)

Definition

A friendly, colloquial term with two distinct uses: an address for a male stranger (like 'buddy' or 'pal'), and a family term for a cousin on the mother's or paternal aunt's side.

noun
(colloquial, regional) buddypal (friendly term for a male stranger)male cousin (on maternal side or paternal aunt's side)
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 老表，？
    lǎo biǎo, Nǐ yě shì jiāng xī rén ma?
    Hey buddy, are you also from Jiangxi?
  • 老表，。
    Tā shì wǒ lǎo biǎo, cóng xiǎo yì qǐ zhǎng dà de.
    He's my cousin; we grew up together.
  • 老表，？
    lǎo biǎo, Bāng gè máng xíng bu xíng?
    Buddy, can you do me a favor?

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
表biǎocousin

表 denotes a cousin, and 老 gives a familiar form of address.

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 表 pairs 衣 (garment) with 毛 (hair or feather), originally an outer garment.

Open 表 →

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