Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 老人 | lǎorén |
| 老漢 / 老汉 | lǎohàn |
| 老頭兒 / 老头儿 | lǎotóur |
These terms are used to refer to an elderly man. While 老人 is gender-neutral and can refer to either an elderly man or an elderly woman, the other forms specifically denote a male.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 老人 is composed of 老 (old) and 人 (person/human).
Which one should you use?
老人 is a neutral term used for an elderly person and is common in news or formal contexts. 老漢 is a more rustic or old-fashioned way to say 'old man', often found in literature or rural settings. 老頭兒 is a colloquial term used in spoken language, often appearing in Northern China.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
老人 is the most neutral and respectful way to refer to an elderly person. For very formal or polite situations, you can use 老先生 (old gentleman/old sir) or 年长的男士 (an older gentleman). 老頭兒 is informal and can be used affectionately or as a slightly dismissive term. 老漢 is also informal and rustic. For a playful or teasing tone, 老头子 (old fellow/old dude) can be used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwan, the casual term 阿公 is frequently used to refer to an old man and translates to 'grandfather'.
How do you pronounce it?
lǎorén
Did you know?
- The term 老頭子 can be used by a wife to refer to her husband in a teasing or affectionate way, despite it sounding like 'old man' in English.
- The character for 'old' 老 is a pictograph that originally depicted a person with long hair and a bent back.
- The term 老人 can also be used to describe a 'veteran' or someone with long experience in a specific profession, regardless of their actual age.
Examples in context
- 老人独自生活。The old man lived by himself.This sentence shows how to describe the living situation of an 老人.Tatoeba #5967306 by verdastelo9604, translation #43348 by CK
- 这老人瞎了一只眼。The old man is blind in one eye.This sentence describes a physical condition of an 老人.Tatoeba #2031476 by ydcok, translation #43340 by CK
- 老人幾乎被車撞上。The old man was almost hit by a car.This sentence describes a near-accident involving an 老人.Tatoeba #6585441 by verdastelo9604, translation #388651 by CK
- 那位年长的男士在文化界有很高的地位。That older gentleman holds a high position in the cultural field.
- 爷爷，你看起来真年轻！Grandpa, you look so young!
- 嘿，老头子，你还行吗？Hey, old fellow, how are you holding up?
- 37 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jiayi and Zhiqiang are walking in a park.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你看，那个老人走得很慢。Nǐ kàn, nàge lǎorén zǒu de hěn màn.Look, that old man is walking very slowly.
- 志强 Zhiqiang是的，他需要有人帮他。Shì de, tā xūyào yǒurén bāng tā.Yes, he needs someone to help him.
- 佳怡 Jiayi我们去帮那位老人吧。Wǒmen qù bāng nà wèi lǎorén ba.Let's go help that old man.
- 志强 Zhiqiang好主意，我们快走吧。Hǎo zhǔyì, wǒmen kuài zǒu ba.Good idea, let's go quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “old man” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
