HSK · Level 86
45 words
Chinese word
老人家
Pronunciation
Pinyinlǎo rén jiā
Meaning
- nounelderly person
Example
老人家坐在公园的长椅上。lǎo rén jiā zuò zài gōng yuán de cháng yǐ shàng
The elderly person is sitting on a park bench.
More examples
邻居常去看望独居的老人家。lín jū cháng qù kàn wàng dú jū de lǎo rén jiā
Neighbors often visit elderly people living alone.
Core concept
A respectful, familiar way to place an older person in the role of a respected elder.
Common phrases
独居老人家dú jū lǎo rén jiā
elderly person who lives alone
陪伴老人家péi bàn lǎo rén jiā
keep an elderly person company
Similar words
老人lǎo rén: A straightforward term for a person of advanced age.
老年人lǎo nián rén: A more formal term for people who have reached old age.
长辈zhǎng bèi: A respectful term for an older relative or member of the family generation above.
长者zháng zhě: A respectful term for a senior person whose age gives them standing in a community.
Definition in Chinese
指年纪较大的人，是口语中常用的敬称或亲切称呼，语气比“老人”更柔和，常用于日常对话。zhǐ nián jì jiào dà de rén shì kóu yǔ zhōng cháng yòng de jìng chēng huò qīn qiè chēng hū yǔ qì bǐ lǎo rén gèng róu hé cháng yòng yú rì cháng duì huà
Word origin
The form grows from 老 (lǎo, "old") + 人 (rén, "person") and adds 家 (jiā, "home") as a colloquial ending that makes the reference more personal and respectful.
Usage tips
- In everyday speech, the word can refer to an older person in the third person, but using it directly with a stranger may sound overly familiar; a standard title avoids that risk.
Other meanings
- older personnoun
Opposites
- 年轻人nián qīng rényoung personnoun
Related words
- 老人lǎo rénolder personnoun
- 老年人lǎo nián rénelderly personnoun