HSK · Level 58
105 words
Chinese word
老百姓
Pronunciation
Pinyinlǎo bǎi xìng
Meaning
- nounordinary people
Example
老百姓对新政策有很多疑问。láo bǎi xìng duì xīn zhèng cè yǒu hěn duō yí wèn
Ordinary people have many questions about the new policy.
More examples
媒体应该反映老百姓的意见。méi tǐ yīng gāi fǎn yìng láo bǎi xìng de yì jiàn
The media should reflect ordinary people's opinions.
Core concept
The broad group of everyday people who make up society outside special status or power.
Common phrases
老百姓的生活水平láo bǎi xìng de shēng huó shuǐ píng
ordinary people's standard of living
老百姓的意见láo bǎi xìng de yì jiàn
ordinary people's opinions
满足老百姓的需要mǎn zú láo bǎi xìng de xū yào
meet ordinary people's needs
Similar words
人民rén mín: A country's or society's people, with a formal tone suitable for public or official use.
民众mín zhòng: A large group of ordinary people viewed as the public.
普通人pǔ tōng rén: A regular person with no special position or ability, in everyday speech.
Definition in Chinese
指普通的人民，尤指社会基层的平民或日常生活中的一般民众。zhǐ pǔ tōng de rén mín yóu zhǐ shè huì jī céng de píng mín huò rì cháng shēng huó zhōng de yì bān mín zhòng
Word origin
老百姓 (lǎobǎixìng, "ordinary people") combines 老 (lǎo, "old") as a familiar spoken prefix with 百姓 (bǎixìng, "common people"), a historical term for the populace; 老 does not mark age.
Usage tips
- The word often frames an issue from the viewpoint of everyday residents, so it can sound more people-centered than a neutral reference to the population.