How to Say "Old Man" in Cantonese

阿伯

aa3 baak3

The English phrase 'old man' can be translated into Cantonese as 阿伯 (aa3 baak3).

阿伯 is used to refer to an elderly man.

Meaning: elderly man (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The term is composed of the prefix 阿 (aa3) and 伯 (baak3), which literally means 'uncle' (specifically a father's elder brother).

While 長者 (coeng4 ze2) is a term used for an 'elder', 阿伯 is more colloquial and is used in everyday speech.

When referring to a specific old man, the classifier 個 (go3) is typically placed before 阿伯 to form 個阿伯.

aa3 baak3

If you use the term 阿伯 to refer to someone much younger than you, it can be interpreted as a subtle insult or a way of mocking their behavior.
The word 伯 (baak3) shares a historical connection with the concept of 'count' or a specific rank in ancient Chinese nobility.
While 阿伯 is a neutral term for an older man, using the term 老嘢 (lou5 je5) is highly derogatory and implies the person is a 'piece of old junk'.

佢讓咗個位俾個阿伯。
He gave his seat to the old man.
This sentence shows how to use 阿伯 when a person gives up a seat.
Tatoeba #3500945 by nickyeow, translation #2920823 by CH
個阿伯坐擁巨額身家。
The old man possesses great wealth.
This sentence demonstrates using 阿伯 to describe someone's wealth.
Tatoeba #5761163 by nickyeow, translation #43380 by Swift
從前，村裏面住咗一個孤寒嘅阿伯。
Once upon a time, there lived a stingy old man in the village.
This sentence illustrates the use of 阿伯 when describing a person living in a village.
Tatoeba #6479165 by nickyeow, translation #272202 by CM

曉彤 and 家明 are walking in a park.

曉彤 Hiu Tung

嗰個阿伯好似好熱呀。
go2 go3 aa3 baak3 hou2 ci5 hou2 jit6 aa3.
That old man looks very hot.
家明 Ka Ming

係呀，我去買支水俾佢。
hai6 aa3, ngo5 heoi3 maai5 zi1 seoi2 bei2 keoi5.
Yeah, I'll go buy a bottle of water for him.
曉彤 Hiu Tung

家明，你真係好有心。
gaa1 ming4, nei5 zan1 hai6 hou2 jau5 sam1.
Ka Ming, you are really kind-hearted.
家明 Ka Ming

唔使啦，做人要熱心啲。
m4 sai2 laa1, zou6 jan4 jiu3 jit6 sam1 di1.
No need, one should be helpful to others.

Sources

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