the old and the young; entire family
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesnoun
the old and the young; both old people and children
Used to refer to the two most vulnerable or representative groups within a household or community.
Hóng洪
shuǐ水
lái来
shí时
，
cūn村
lǐ里
nán男
nǚ女
lǎo老
xiǎo小
dōu都
qù去
gāo高
chù处
bì避
nàn难
。
When the flood came, all the men, women, old, and young in the village went to higher ground for refuge.
Zhè这
ge个
huó活
dòng动
shì适
hé合
quán全
jiā家
lǎo老
xiǎo小
yī一
qǐ起
cān参
jiā加
。
This activity is suitable for the entire family, both old and young, to participate in together.
noun
family members; entire household (from the oldest to the youngest)
An idiom-like expression (e.g., 一家老小) meaning all members of a family across all generations.
Tā他
yī一
rén人
gōng工
zuò作
，
yào要
yǎng养
huó活
yī一
jiā家
lǎo老
xiǎo小
。
He works alone to support his entire family.
Quán全
cūn村
lǎo老
xiǎo小
dōu都
chū出
lái来
yíng迎
jiē接
guì贵
kè客
。
All the villagers, old and young, came out to welcome the distinguished guests.
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Tā他
jiān肩
shàng上
dān担
zhe着
yī一
jiā家
lǎo老
xiǎo小
de的
shēng生
jì计
。
He bears the responsibility of providing for his entire family on his shoulders.