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老乡 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
老乡lǎoxiāngfellow townsmanHSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, rank #20046, Very Hard
老乡lǎoxiāngfellow villagerHSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, rank #20046, Very Hard
老乡lǎoxiāngsb from the same hometownHSK 7, unknown, 9 strokes, rank #20046, Very Hard
lǎoxiāng(lao3xiang1)lao xiang T3
  1. 1fellow townsman
  2. 2fellow villager
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March 24, 2026

老乡(老鄉)lǎoxiāng(lao3xiang1)

The term '老乡' (lǎoxiāng) refers to a person from the same hometown or village. It is often used to express camaraderie or familiarity among people who share a common origin, especially when meeting in a different city or situation.

Strokes9Frequency#20046DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In China, the concept of '老乡' emphasizes the importance of community and shared backgrounds, reflecting the value placed on relationships and social networks in Chinese culture. It is common for people from the same hometown to support each other in urban settings.

Memory Tip

Imagine meeting a fellow villager in a bustling city. The character '老' (lǎo) means 'old' and suggests familiarity, while '乡' (xiāng) relates to 'countryside' or 'hometown.' Picture an old friend from your hometown, both of you reminiscing about your roots, making it easier to remember the connection.

Meanings of 老乡

lǎoxiāng(lao3xiang1)
1fellow townsman
2fellow villager
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About 老乡

老乡Simplified
老鄉Traditional
9Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

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Podcast: 老乡

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AI Study Notes for 老乡

Quick Contrast

乡亲 (xiāngqīn) - use '老乡' when emphasizing camaraderie among people from the same hometown; use '乡亲' for a more general term for fellow villagers or townspeople.

Usage Notes

'老乡' is typically used in informal contexts when speaking with friends or acquaintances. Be cautious not to use it in formal situations or with people you do not know well, as it may come off as overly familiar. Common collocations include '老乡亲' (fellow compatriots) and '老乡会' (hometown association).

HSK Study Tips

Though '老乡' may not be included in the official HSK vocabulary lists, it is useful for learners at HSK 3 and above due to its conversational relevance. Focus on related terms like '乡村' (xiāngcūn - countryside) to expand your vocabulary around rural life and community.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse '老乡' by applying it too broadly to anyone from the same region rather than a specific hometown. For example, saying '他是我的老乡' about someone from the same province but different town is incorrect; it should be '他是我的同省人'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 老乡

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Component Characters

老lǎoold (of people)
HSK 36 strokes老
View full entry
乡xiāngcountry or countryside
HSK 53 strokes幺
View full entry

How to say fellow townsman in Chinese

“fellow townsman” in Chinese is老乡lǎoxiāng

The term '老乡' (lǎoxiāng) refers to a person from the same hometown or village. It is often used to express camaraderie or familiarity among people who share a common origin, especially when meeting in a different city or situation.

When to use 老乡

'老乡' is typically used in informal contexts when speaking with friends or acquaintances. Be cautious not to use it in formal situations or with people you do not know well, as it may come off as overly familiar. Common collocations include '老乡亲' (fellow compatriots) and '老乡会' (hometown association).

老乡 or something close to it

乡亲 (xiāngqīn) - use '老乡' when emphasizing camaraderie among people from the same hometown; use '乡亲' for a more general term for fellow villagers or townspeople.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse '老乡' by applying it too broadly to anyone from the same region rather than a specific hometown. For example, saying '他是我的老乡' about someone from the same province but different town is incorrect; it should be '他是我的同省人'.

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老
乡

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Frequently Asked Questions about 老乡

'老乡' typically refers to people from the same hometown or village, not just the same province. If they're from different towns, it's better to say '同省' (tóng shěng - same province).

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