元老 yuánlǎo senior figure
senior figure; elder; doyen
怎么记住“元老”: 元 yuan + 老 old = senior figure.
汉字
用法
- A veteran elder/founding senior figure of an organization - 公司元老 (gōngsī yuánlǎo) a company veteran/founding member.
- Denotes seniority and founding-era prestige - long service, respected standing (党内元老, party elder).
- Register is respectful; implies someone from the early days who commands deference.