lǎoshi

老实

HSK 4Word · AdjectiveTraditional老實

honest; well-behaved; simple-minded (euph.)

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

3 senses · 10 examples
1.

adjective

honest; sincere; straightforward

neutral

Describes a person who is truthful and does not deceive. Often used in the set phrase '说老实话,办老实事'.

Tā他
shì是
yī一
gè个
lǎo老
shi实
rén人
 ,
cóng从
bù不
shuō说
huǎng谎
 。

He is an honest person who never lies.

Zuò做
lǎo老
shi实
rén人
 ,
shuō说
lǎo老
shi实
huà话
 ,
bàn办
lǎo老
shi实
shì事
 。

Be an honest person, speak honest words, and do honest deeds.

Show 1 more example
Wéi为
rén人
yào要
lǎo老
shi实
 ,
bù不
néng能
shuǎ耍
huá滑
tóu头
 。

One must be honest and not act cunning.

2.

adjective

well-behaved; obedient; not causing trouble

neutral

Describes someone (often children) who is docile, follows rules, and does not make trouble.

Zhè这
hái孩
zi子
hěn很
lǎo老
shi实
 ,
cóng从
lái来
bù不
gēn跟
rén人
chǎo吵
jià架
 。

This child is very well-behaved and never quarrels with others.

Tā他
zài在
kè课
táng堂
shàng上
hěn很
lǎo老
shi实
 ,
cóng从
bù不
dǎo捣
luàn乱
 。

He is very well-behaved in class and never makes trouble.

Show 2 more examples
Nà那
zhī只
xiǎo小
gǒu狗
kàn看
qǐ起
lái来
tǐng挺
lǎo老
shi实
de的
 。

That puppy looks quite docile.

Nǐ你
lǎo老
shi实
diǎnr点
bié儿
 ,
dào别
chù到
luàn处
pǎo乱
 跑
 。

Behave yourself and don't run around everywhere.

3.

adjective

simple-minded; not clever; slow-witted

neutral

A euphemistic or polite way to say someone is not intelligent or is naive. Often implies gullibility or lack of street smarts.

Tā他
yǒu有
diǎn点
lǎo老
shi实
 ,
bù不
tài太
huì会
zhuǎn转
wān弯
 。

He's a bit simple-minded and doesn't know how to be flexible.

Nǐ你
bié别
tài太
lǎo老
shi实
le了
 ,
yào要
dǒng懂
de得
biàn变
tōng通
 。

Don't be too naive; you need to know how to adapt.

Show 1 more example
Tā他
lǎo老
shi实
shì是
lǎo老
shi实
 ,
jiù就
shì是
bù不
gòu够
jī机
ling灵
 。

He is simple-minded, alright; he's just not clever enough.