Meaning
长辈 refers to people who are older than you in age or higher in generation within a family or social hierarchy. This includes parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and older relatives, as well as senior colleagues or community members who deserve respect due to their age or position.
Usage
This term is commonly used when discussing family relationships or showing respect in social contexts. Chinese culture places great importance on respecting elders, so 长辈 carries connotations of deference and proper behavior. It's often used when explaining why you should be polite, listen carefully, or follow certain customs around older people.
Examples
- 01过年的时候要给长辈拜年。.During the New Year, you should pay respects to your elders.
- 02在长辈面前要有礼貌。.You should be polite in front of your elders.
Characters
Measure words
- 位一位长辈
Common collocations
- 尊重长辈to respect one's elders
- 孝敬长辈to show filial piety to elders
- 家里的长辈elders in the family
- 向长辈问好to greet one's elders
Antonyms
Origin
长 (zhǎng) means 'senior' or 'elder', while 辈 (bèi) refers to a generation or group of people of similar age. Together they literally mean 'the senior generation'.