lão

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The Vietnamese word "lão" primarily means "old" or "aged." It is often used to refer to an older person, particularly a man. Here’s a detailed explanation to help you understand this word better:

Basic Meaning

• Adjective: "lão" means "old." It is commonly used to describe someone who is elderly.

Usage Instructions

• "lão" is often used in a respectful way when referring to older men. However, it can also carry a tone of familiarity or affection depending on the context.
• You typically use "lão" in combination with other words to describe a person or a situation involving an older man.

Example Sentences

1. Ông lão - This means "old man." You can use it to refer to an elderly man in a respectful way.

   • Example: "Ông lão đang ngồi trên ghế đá." (The old man is sitting on the bench.)

2. Lão già - This also means "old man," but can imply a more casual or familiar tone.

   • Example: "Lão già này rất khôn ngoan." (This old man is very wise.)

Advanced Usage

• In literature or poetry, "lão" can be used metaphorically to describe wisdom or experience that comes with age, not just in terms of physical age.
• It can also be used in idiomatic expressions to depict something that has been around for a long time or is considered traditional or timeless.

Word Variants

• Lão hóa: This means "aging" or "to age," often used in the context of humans or living things growing older.

Different Meanings

• In some contexts, "lão" can be used humorously or ironically to describe someone who is acting old or outdated, even if they are not very old in age.

Synonyms

• Già: This also means "old" and can be used similarly to "lão," but it is more general and can refer to both men and women.
• Ông: This means "Mr." or "Sir," and when combined with "lão," it denotes respect for an elder.

Summary

The word "lão" is an important term in Vietnamese that expresses respect for older men and acknowledges their age.

Academic

adj

1. old
   • lão già
     Old man