lou5 baak3老伯
Jyutpinglou5 baak3
Yalelóuh baak
Definition
An elderly man; an old gentleman.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Using 老伯 carries a slightly more respectful or formal tone compared to 阿伯, which is the most common way to address or refer to an elderly man on the street. While 阿伯 can sometimes sound a bit blunt or casual, 老伯 feels a bit more polite and distant. It is often used when describing someone you do not know personally but wish to show a degree of courtesy toward.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
That old gentleman seems to be looking for directions.
Do you know that old man?
Related words
Common phrases
an old gentleman
Common mistake
Avoid using 老伯 to address someone directly in a very casual setting, as it might sound overly formal or even slightly sarcastic depending on your tone. Stick to 阿伯 or even 伯伯 if you are trying to be friendly and respectful to an elder you encounter in daily life.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
