Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
老朋友()lǎopéngyou(lao3peng2you5)
老朋友 (lǎo péngyǒu) means 'old friend,' referring to someone you have known for a long time, often implying a deep bond or familiarity. It can also be used informally to refer to a period or menstruation, showcasing its versatility in different contexts.
Frequency#2666DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, friendships are often cherished deeply, and terms like 老朋友 reflect the importance of long-term relationships. The informal use as a slang term for menstruation also highlights cultural openness about discussing bodily functions among friends.
Memory Tip
Imagine an older person (老) greeting you warmly as an old friend (朋友), sharing stories from the past. Visualize them wearing a name tag that says 'Friend Since Forever' to remember the connection and pronunciation.
Meanings of 老朋友
lǎopéngyou(lao3peng2you5)
1old friend
2(slang) period
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 老朋友
老朋友Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 老朋友
Podcast: 老朋友
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 老朋友
Quick Contrast
老友 (lǎo yǒu) - use '老朋友' for a more familiar or affectionate tone, while '老友' is slightly more formal.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine an older person (老) greeting you warmly as an old friend (朋友), sharing stories from the past. Visualize them wearing a name tag that says 'Friend Since Forever' to remember the connection and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the informal usage of 老朋友 to refer to menstruation, as it may not be appropriate in formal contexts. The tone can also affect meaning; ensure you're using the correct tones to avoid misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
While 老朋友 is not a specific HSK level word, its components, 老 (old) and 朋友 (friend), are foundational and often appear in HSK vocabulary. Focus on recognizing and using these components to build your understanding of related terms.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, friendships are often cherished deeply, and terms like 老朋友 reflect the importance of long-term relationships. The informal use as a slang term for menstruation also highlights cultural openness about discussing bodily functions among friends.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 老朋友 with just 朋友 (friend), missing the nuance of long-term connection. For example, saying '这是我的朋友' (This is my friend) instead of '这是我的老朋友' (This is my old friend) when referring to someone you've known for years.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 老朋友
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 老朋友 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 老朋友 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 老朋友
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, friendships are often cherished deeply, and terms like 老朋友 reflect the importance of long-term relationships. The informal use as a slang term for menstruation also highlights cultural openness about discussing bodily functions among friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about 老朋友
It's best to avoid using 老朋友 in formal settings, especially when referring to menstruation, as it is considered slang.
Yes, 老朋友 typically refers to close friends, highlighting a sense of familiarity and shared history.
Make sure to use the correct tones: lǎo (3rd tone) for old, péng (2nd tone) for friend, and yǒu (3rd tone) for friend.
