老

• Pinyin: lǎo
• Hanzi breakdown: 老 = pictograph of an elderly person with a walking stick

Meaning

Old; a familiar prefix placed before surnames to address people informally, as in 老王 (Old Wang).

As a prefix before surnames, 老 conveys familiarity and warmth, not disrespect. It is commonly used among colleagues, friends, and acquaintances of similar or older age. Unlike English 'old,' this prefix carries no negative connotation.

Examples

1. 老王今天没来上班。 Old Wang didn't come to work today.
2. 你认识老李吗？他是我同事。 Do you know Old Li? He's my colleague.
3. 老张说他明天请我们吃饭。 Old Zhang said he'll treat us to dinner tomorrow.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, social, everyday

Tone: friendly

Do Say

• 老王，你吃了吗？(Old Wang, have you eaten?)
• 我和老陈是好朋友。(Old Chen and I are good friends.)

Don't Say

• 不要对上级说'老+姓' (Don't use 老 + surname with your boss or someone much senior — use 王老师 or 王先生 to show proper respect)

Origin & History

Originally meant 'old' or 'elderly.' The prefix usage developed as a sign of familiarity and respect in Chinese social culture.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal