Vocab Unlocked from 老: 老公 - 老外 - 老人

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New Word(s) of Two-Characters or More Unlocked!

The word(s) below have a corresponding flashcard in the Hanzi & Words deck associated with this level. Before you end today's study session, add an image to the card (how to add images to flashcards). After that, unsuspend the card(s).

老公

Note: Just a reminder that 老 can also be a prefix that indicates "familiar endearment." Check out our article on Chinese affixes for a reminder.

Usage 1 - "husband"

Living Link Suggestion(s):

• When you make public which man (who is quite familiar to you) you're marrying, he's your HUSBAND. 
• Sometimes, wives get so fed-up with their HUSBAND's voice that it sounds like a Loud Gong (lǎogong) to her.
• A famous husband (or your husband)

老外

Usage 1 - "foreigner"

Note: 老外 used to be a term of endearment, but over time has evolved into a bit of a derogatory term. It doesn't *have* to be derogatory, but it's less endearing than it used to be. Nowadays, people say 外国朋友 if they explicitly want to be friendly.

Living Link Suggestion(s):

• The familiar outsider is a FOREIGNER!
• The first Chinese person who heard a FOREIGNER speaking Chinese he yelled a loud "why" (lǎowài).

老人

Usage 1 - "old person; senior citizen"

Living Link Suggestion(s):

• An old person is a SENIOR CITIZEN.
• Add an image of a person who looks particularly old.

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