Meanings of 老公
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Podcast: 老公
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AI Study Notes for 老公
老公 (husband) vs 老伴 (long-term partner) — choose 老公 for a more affectionate, informal reference to a husband rather than a general term for a life partner.
Be cautious with the tone; the first character '老' should be pronounced with a falling tone (3rd tone), and '公' with a high level tone (1st tone). It is informal, so avoid using it in very formal situations. A common collocation is '我的老公' (my husband).
While '老公' may not be an official HSK word, it connects to everyday vocabulary around relationships and family, which are often emphasized in HSK studies. Focus on using it in conversational practice to enhance fluency.
Learners may mistakenly use '老公' in formal writing or speeches, where a more formal term like '丈夫' (zhàngfu) would be appropriate. Also, mispronouncing the tones can lead to confusion, so practicing them is essential.
Pronunciation of 老公
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Component Characters
How to say (coll.) husband in Chinese
“(coll.) husband” in Chinese is老公
The term '老公' (lǎo gōng) is a colloquial term used to refer to a husband. It conveys familiarity and affection, often used in informal contexts among couples. While it can also refer to 'eunuch' in historical contexts, the primary usage today is in the context of modern relationships.
When to use 老公
Be cautious with the tone; the first character '老' should be pronounced with a falling tone (3rd tone), and '公' with a high level tone (1st tone). It is informal, so avoid using it in very formal situations. A common collocation is '我的老公' (my husband).
老公 or something close to it
老公 (husband) vs 老伴 (long-term partner) — choose 老公 for a more affectionate, informal reference to a husband rather than a general term for a life partner.
What learners get wrong
Learners may mistakenly use '老公' in formal writing or speeches, where a more formal term like '丈夫' (zhàngfu) would be appropriate. Also, mispronouncing the tones can lead to confusion, so practicing them is essential.
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Frequently Asked Questions about 老公
No, '老公' is an informal term and should be used in casual conversations.
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