Meanings of 佬
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About 佬
Podcast: 佬
Podcast: 佬
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AI Study Notes for 佬
老 (lǎo) - use 佬 (lǎo) for a colloquial or familiar reference to an older male, while 老 (lǎo) is more general for 'old' or 'aged'.
While 佬 is commonly used in informal settings, it may not be appropriate in formal contexts. Learners should be cautious when using it with strangers, as it can imply familiarity. Additionally, avoid confusing it with 老 (lǎo), which primarily means 'old' or 'aged'.
Although 佬 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it can be linked to other words that depict age or gender, such as 老 (lǎo) and 男 (nán). Focus on understanding the context in which 佬 is used, especially in Cantonese-speaking regions.
Learners often misuse 佬 in formal settings, leading to inappropriate familiarity. For example, saying '您是个佬' (nǐ shì gè lǎo) to a stranger can be seen as disrespectful; instead, use a more neutral form of address.
Pronunciation of 佬
Drill the tone of 佬 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 佬
An old 老 person 亻; 老 also provides the pronunciation
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 佬
- 1The giveawayAn old 老 person 亻; 老 also provides the pronunciation
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 佬? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 佬?
Decomposition of 佬
Identify the Components
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How to say elder; mature in Chinese
“elder; mature” in Chinese is佬
The character 佬 (lǎo) is often used in colloquial contexts to refer to an older man or a person of maturity. In Cantonese, it can imply a sense of respect or familiarity, often used as a suffix to denote male individuals in a friendly manner.
When to use 佬
While 佬 is commonly used in informal settings, it may not be appropriate in formal contexts. Learners should be cautious when using it with strangers, as it can imply familiarity. Additionally, avoid confusing it with 老 (lǎo), which primarily means 'old' or 'aged'.
佬 or something close to it
老 (lǎo) - use 佬 (lǎo) for a colloquial or familiar reference to an older male, while 老 (lǎo) is more general for 'old' or 'aged'.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 佬 in formal settings, leading to inappropriate familiarity. For example, saying '您是个佬' (nǐ shì gè lǎo) to a stranger can be seen as disrespectful; instead, use a more neutral form of address.
Write 佬
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Practice writing 佬 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 佬
佬 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
他是个讨厌的乡巴____。
He is an obnoxious hick.
Example Sentences for 佬 (2)
Reorder the Sentence
He is an obnoxious hick.
Word Family of 佬
Compound Meaning
What does 佬 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 佬
佬 is primarily used in Cantonese, where it denotes an older man or male figure.
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