老 (lǎo): Stroke Order, Meaning & How to Write

People and Titles

In relationship and age terms, 老 (lǎo) marks respected or senior roles such as teacher, boss, elderly, and husband.

HSK 1

Old and Traditional

In words like tiger, hometown, elderly, and ancient, 老 (lǎo) conveys oldness, origin, or antiquity.

HSK 4

lǎo老

hǔ虎

tiger

HSK 3.0 · L4

lǎo老

jiā家

native place

HSK 3.0 · L4

lǎo老

nián年

elderly

HSK 3.0 · L5

gǔ古

lǎo老

ancient

Everyday Colloquial Terms

In colloquial and group words like always, common people, honest, and mouse, 老 (lǎo) indicates frequency, collectivity, or informal familiarity.

HSK 3.0 · L4

lǎo老

shì是

always

HSK 5

lǎo老

bǎi百

xìng姓

common people; civilians

HSK 5

lǎo老

shi实

honest; frank

HSK 5

lǎo老

shǔ鼠

mouse; rat

老 (lǎo): Old — Stroke Order & Writing Guide

Animated Stroke Order 老

Readings & Meanings

Stroke Order Diagrams 老

Printable Writing Worksheet: 老

How to Use 老

People and Titles

HSK Vocabulary: 老

Example Sentences

HSK Level 3

Same Sound

Same Radical

Old and Traditional

Everyday Colloquial Terms

Related Characters

HSK Level 3

Same Sound

Same Radical