Chinese word

长辈

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhǎng bèi

Meaning

  • nounelder

Example

你应该听长辈的建议。nǐ yīng gāi tīng zhǎng bèi de jiàn yì

You should listen to your elders' advice.

Illustration for 长辈 (elder)

More examples

他总是让长辈先吃。tā zǒng shì ràng zhǎng bèi xiān chī

He always lets his elders eat first.

Core concept

An older person whose place in a family or social order brings experience, influence, and respect.

Common phrases

  • 向长辈请教xiàng zhǎng bèi qǐng jiào

    seek advice from elders

  • 与长辈沟通yǔ zhǎng bèi gōu tōng

    talk with elders

  • 关心长辈guān xīn zhǎng bèi

    care for elders

Similar words

年长者nián zháng zhě: An older person, with age being the main point.
前辈qián bèi: A more experienced senior in a shared workplace or field who provides advice.
长者zháng zhě: A respected older person known for wisdom and experience.

Definition in Chinese

在家庭或社会中比自己年纪大、通常因经验、地位或辈分而受到尊重的人。zài jiā tíng huò shè huì zhōng bǐ zì jǐ nián jì dà tōng cháng yīn jīng yàn dì wèi huò bèi fēn ér shòu dào zūn zhòng de rén

Word origin

长 (zhǎng, "older") + 辈 (bèi, "generation") combines age-based seniority with a higher family or social generation to form a respectful term for an elder.

Usage tips

  • The word can cover respected seniors outside the immediate family, which makes it useful when the exact relationship or title is not important.

Opposites

Word lists with this word