Chinese word

老实

Pronunciation

Pinyinlǎo shí

Meaning

  • adjectivewell-behaved

Example

这个孩子很老实，听话又勤快。zhè ge hái zi hěn lǎo shí tīng huà yòu qín kuài

This child is well-behaved, obedient, and hardworking.

Illustration for 老实 (well-behaved)

More examples

他对同事很老实，工作认真。tā duì tóng shì hěn lǎo shí gōng zuò rèn zhēn

He is very straightforward with his colleagues and takes his work seriously.

Core concept

A calm and genuine manner that accepts things plainly and follows reasonable direction.

Common phrases

  • 很老实hěn lǎo shí

    very well-behaved

  • 对父母老实duì fù mǔ lǎo shí

    be honest with one's parents

  • 说话很老实shuō huà hěn lǎo shí

    speak honestly

Similar words

诚实chéng shí: Showing truthfulness by speaking and acting without lies.
朴实pǔ shí: Simple and unadorned, with a sincere and earnest quality.
听话tīng huà: Ready to listen to guidance and follow directions.
诚恳chéng kěn: Expressing genuine sincerity through serious words and behavior.

Definition in Chinese

对别人或事情态度真诚、容易接受别人的意见，有时含有听话或单纯的意味。duì bié rén huò shì qíng tài dù zhēn chéng róng yì jiē shòu bié rén de yì jiàn yǒu shí hán yǒu tīng huà huò dān chún de yì wèi

Word origin

The compound 老 (lǎo, "old") + 实 (shí, "real") combines the ideas of being settled and being genuine, leading to a description of conduct that is plain, dependable, and receptive.

Usage tips

  • English often separates good conduct from personal sincerity, but this word can cover both, so its exact shade depends on whether the conversation focuses on behavior or character.

Other meanings

  • quietadjective
  • honestadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 老实人lǎo shí rénstraightforward personnoun
  • 老实巴交lǎo shí bā jiāovery meekidiom

Word lists with this word