老人家 lǎorenjia polite term for old woman or man
How to remember 老人家: 老 old + 人 person + 家 home = polite term for old woman or man.
Characters
How it is used
- A polite, warm way to refer to or address an elderly person - 您老人家身体好吗 (nín lǎorenjia shēntǐ hǎo ma) how's your health, sir/madam?
- Note neutral tones (lǎorenjia); it conveys respect and affection toward an elder, more genial than plain 老人 (lǎorén).
- Also used for one's own aged parent affectionately.
Example sentences
- 不要捉弄老人家。 Búyào zhuōnòng lǎorénjiā.Don't make fun of old people.
- 请问您老人家高寿？ Qǐngwèn nín lǎorénjiā gāoshòu?May I ask how old you are?