老人

• Pinyin: lǎo rén
• Hanzi breakdown: 老 (old) + 人 (person) — an elderly person

Meaning

Old person; elderly person. A respectful general term for senior citizens.

A neutral to respectful term for elderly people. Used both as a general category (老人需要关心 = the elderly need care) and to refer to specific old people. In Chinese culture, respecting the elderly is deeply valued.

Examples

1. 我们要尊重老人。 We should respect the elderly.
2. 公共汽车上要给老人让座。 You should give up your seat to the elderly on the bus.
3. 那个老人很健康。 That elderly person is very healthy.

Usage Guide

Context: society, family, everyday

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 老人家，您好！(Hello, sir/madam! — respectful greeting to an elder)
• 这个老人每天早上锻炼。(This elderly person exercises every morning.)

Don't Say

• 那个老人太慢了。(Complaining about an elderly person's speed is considered disrespectful)

Origin & History

Compound of 老 (old) and 人 (person) — an old person.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal