the Old Man in Heaven; expression of astonishment
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
the Old Man in Heaven; the Supreme Deity
informalA term from traditional Chinese folk religion, personifying heaven as an old man who controls fate and the natural world. Now less common in its literal religious sense.
Cūn村
mín民
men们
qí祈
qiú求
lǎo老
tiān天
yé爷
xià下
yǔ雨
。
The villagers prayed to the Old Man in Heaven for rain.
Guò过
qù去
，
rén人
men们
xiāng相
xìn信
mìng命
yùn运
yóu由
lǎo老
tiān天
yé爷
jué决
dìng定
。
In the past, people believed fate was decided by the Old Man in Heaven.
interjection
used to express shock, surprise, or appeal for mercy
informalMost common modern usage. An exclamation expressing strong emotion like shock, disbelief, exasperation, or a plea for help, similar to "Oh my God!" or "Heavens!" in English. Often used alone or at the beginning of a sentence.
Lǎo老
tiān天
yé爷
，
zhè这
shì是
zěn怎
me么
huí回
shì事
ér儿
！
Oh my God, what's going on here?!
Lǎo老
tiān天
yé爷
，
bāng帮
bang帮
wǒ我
ba吧
！
Heavens, please help me!
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Lǎo老
tiān天
yé爷
a啊
，
nǐ你
zěn怎
me么
néng能
gàn干
chū出
zhè这
zhǒng种
shì事
！
Oh my God, how could you do such a thing!
Lǎo老
tiān天
yé爷
，
zhè这
yǔ雨
yě也
tài太
dà大
le了
！
Good heavens, this rain is so heavy!