Chinese word

老字号

Pronunciation

Pinyinlǎo zì hào

Meaning

  • nountime-honored shop

Example

这个老字号有一百年历史。zhè ge lǎo zì hào yǒu yì bǎi nián lì shǐ

This time-honored shop has a 100-year history.

Illustration for 老字号 (time-honored shop)

More examples

人们排队买老字号糕点。rén men pái duì mǎi lǎo zì hào gāo diǎn

People line up to buy pastries from a time-honored shop.

Core concept

A long-established shop whose name stands for continuity and local standing, not just an old storefront.

Common phrases

  • 老字号糕点lǎo zì hào gāo diǎn

    pastries from a time-honored shop

  • 老字号面馆lǎo zì hào miàn guǎn

    time-honored noodle shop

  • 保护老字号bǎo hù lǎo zì hào

    protect time-honored shops

Similar words

老店lǎo diàn: A shop that has been open for a long time.
老铺lǎo pù: A traditional shop that has served customers for many years.

Definition in Chinese

用于称呼在同一行业长期经营、商号代代相传并在本地具有一定品牌影响力的老字号或老铺子。yòng yú chēng hū zài tóng yì háng yè cháng qī jīng yíng shāng hào dài dài xiāng chuán bìng zài běn dì jù yǒu yí dìng pǐn pái yíng xiǎng lì de lǎo zì hào huò lǎo pù zi

Word origin

The compound joins 老 (lǎo, "old") with 字号 (zìhào, "business name"), treating the age of a commercial name as part of the business's identity.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may hear "old shop" as a comment on a building or its owner, whereas 老字号 (lǎozìhào, "time-honored shop") usually highlights recognized history and continuity.

Opposites

  • 新店xīn diànnew shopnoun

Word lists with this word