boss; owner; proprietor
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
boss; owner; proprietor
neutralGeneral term for the owner or manager of a private business, shop, or restaurant. Often used as a respectful form of address.
Wǒ我
men们
lǎo老
bǎn板
xià下
gè个
yuè月
yào要
qù去
guó国
wài外
chū出
chāi差
。
Our boss is going abroad on a business trip next month.
Zhè这
jiā家
cān餐
tīng厅
de的
lǎo老
bǎn板
rén人
hěn很
hǎo好
。
The owner of this restaurant is very nice.
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Lǎo老
bǎn板
，
zhè这
wǎn碗
miàn面
duō多
shǎo少
qián钱
？
Boss, how much is this bowl of noodles?
Tā他
shì是
zì自
jǐ己
chuàng创
yè业
dāng当
lǎo老
bǎn板
de的
。
He started his own business and became the boss.
noun
a respectful term for a renowned opera performer or troupe leader
archaicHistorically used in traditional Chinese opera circles as an honorific for famous actors or those who led theatrical troupes. Less common in modern everyday language but still understood in cultural contexts.
Méi梅
Lán兰
fāng芳
lǎo老
bǎn板
shì是
jīng京
jù剧
jiè界
de的
tài泰
dǒu斗
。
Master Mei Lanfang was a leading figure in the Peking opera world.
Guò过
qù去
xì戏
bān班
lǐ里
de的
jué角
er儿
dōu都
bèi被
zūn尊
chēng称
wéi为
lǎo老
bǎn板
。
In the past, the stars in opera troupes were respectfully called 'laoban'.