Meanings of 老百姓
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Podcast: 老百姓
Podcast: 老百姓
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AI Study Notes for 老百姓
平民 (píngmín) - use 老百姓 when emphasizing the perspective of the general public, while 平民 is more neutral and can refer to any common person without the cultural connotation.
Be mindful of the tone when using 老百姓 in conversation; it is informal and should be used in contexts discussing the general populace. Common collocations include 老百姓的生活 (the life of ordinary people) and 老百姓的声音 (the voice of the common people).
As an HSK 5 word, 老百姓 connects to other terms regarding society and community. Focus on understanding its usage in context, especially in discussions about social issues and public sentiment.
Learners often confuse 老百姓 with similar terms like 普通人, leading to nuances being lost. For example, saying '普通百姓' is incorrect; stick with '老百姓' to convey the intended meaning.
Pronunciation of 老百姓
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Component Characters
How to say ordinary people in Chinese
“ordinary people” in Chinese is老百姓
老百姓 refers to ordinary people or the common folk in Chinese society. It emphasizes the perspective of the general public, distinct from government officials or elites, and is often used in discussions about social issues and policies.
When to use 老百姓
Be mindful of the tone when using 老百姓 in conversation; it is informal and should be used in contexts discussing the general populace. Common collocations include 老百姓的生活 (the life of ordinary people) and 老百姓的声音 (the voice of the common people).
老百姓 or something close to it
平民 (píngmín) - use 老百姓 when emphasizing the perspective of the general public, while 平民 is more neutral and can refer to any common person without the cultural connotation.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 老百姓 with similar terms like 普通人, leading to nuances being lost. For example, saying '普通百姓' is incorrect; stick with '老百姓' to convey the intended meaning.
Write 老百姓
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Frequently Asked Questions about 老百姓
No, 老百姓 is informal and is used to refer to the general public in everyday conversations.
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