老字号

• Pinyin: lǎo zì hao
• Hanzi breakdown: 老 = 耂 + 匕 (long-standing/venerable); 字 = 宀 + 子 (character/name); 号 = 口 + 丂 (designation/sign)

Meaning

A time-honoured brand; a long-established business or shop with a distinguished heritage.

Refers to Chinese businesses that have operated for decades or centuries and are recognised for their heritage and quality. Often carries official government recognition. Examples include 同仁堂 (traditional medicine) and 全聚德 (Peking duck). Frequently used in business, tourism, and cultural contexts.

Examples

1. 这家餐馆是百年老字号，以烤鸭闻名全国。 This restaurant is a century-old, time-honored brand, famous nationwide for its roast duck.
2. 政府出台了一系列政策，支持老字号品牌的传承与创新。 The government introduced a series of policies to support the preservation and innovation of time-honored brands.
3. 这块匾额见证了这家老字号走过的一百五十年历史。 This plaque has witnessed the 150-year history of this time-honored business.

Usage Guide

Context: business, culture, commerce, heritage

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 这家茶叶店是百年老字号，品质一直有保障。(This tea shop is a century-old brand — quality has always been guaranteed.)
• 老字号承载着几代人共同的记忆与情感。(Time-honoured brands carry the shared memories and emotions of generations.)

Don't Say

• 用老字号形容普通新品牌 — 老字号专指有悠久历史和传统的知名商号，不适用于新近创立的品牌

Origin & History

老 (old/long-standing) + 字号 (trade name/shop name)

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional Chinese commerce

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal