Meanings of 长辈
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About 长辈
Podcast: 长辈
Podcast: 长辈
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AI Study Notes for 长辈
长辈 (zhǎng bèi) vs 前辈 (qián bèi) — use 长辈 for family elders, while 前辈 refers to senior figures in a professional or academic context.
Think of 长 (zhǎng) as 'to grow' or 'to be long' and 辈 (bèi) as 'generation' or 'class.' Imagine a tree growing taller (长) with many branches (辈) representing different generations, emphasizing respect for those who have grown before you.
Be mindful of the context in which you use 长辈, as it is often employed in formal or respectful discussions. A common mistake is to confuse it with the word 朋友 (péng yǒu), which means 'friends'; remember that 长辈 refers specifically to elders.
As an HSK Level 5 word, 长辈 connects with themes of family and social hierarchy that are prevalent in other vocabulary at this level. Students should focus on using it in sentences that illustrate respect and relationships within the family.
In Chinese culture, respecting one's 长辈 is deeply ingrained in social norms, as it reflects Confucian values of filial piety and respect for elders. This respect is often shown through language and behavior during family gatherings.
Learners often incorrectly use 长辈 to refer to peers, such as saying '我的长辈是我的朋友' (wǒ de zhǎng bèi shì wǒ de péng yǒu), which is incorrect. The correct usage is '我的长辈是我的叔叔' (wǒ de zhǎng bèi shì wǒ de shūshu), meaning 'My elder is my uncle.'
Pronunciation of 长辈
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Component Characters
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Grammar Patterns of 长辈
长辈 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
哪有你这么说话的？好歹我也是你的____。
How can you talk like that? I am your elder, after all.
Example Sentences for 长辈 (1)
Cultural Notes for 长辈
In Chinese culture, respecting one's 长辈 is deeply ingrained in social norms, as it reflects Confucian values of filial piety and respect for elders. This respect is often shown through language and behavior during family gatherings.
Frequently Asked Questions about 长辈
You can say, '我尊重我的长辈' (wǒ zūnzhòng wǒ de zhǎng bèi), meaning 'I respect my elders.'