老公

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lǎogōng: 老公 - Husband

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: 老公, laogong, husband in Chinese, my husband in Chinese, how to say husband in Chinese, 丈夫, 先生, 老婆, Chinese family terms, Chinese spouse
  • Summary: “老公 (lǎogōng)” is the most common, modern, and affectionate way to say “husband” in Mandarin Chinese. Used in everyday conversation and on social media, it's the equivalent of “my husband” or even “hubby” in English, signifying a close and intimate relationship. This entry breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical usage, contrasting it with more formal terms like `丈夫 (zhàngfu)` and `先生 (xiānsheng)` to help you know exactly when and how to use it.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): lǎo gōng
  • Part of Speech: Noun
  • HSK Level: HSK 3
  • Concise Definition: An informal and affectionate term for “husband.”
  • In a Nutshell: Think of `老公 (lǎogōng)` as the default word for “husband” in modern, everyday Chinese. It's warm, familiar, and used between spouses and when talking to friends and family. While it literally contains the character for “old” (老), it has nothing to do with age and is used by couples of all ages, including young newlyweds.

Character Breakdown

  • 老 (lǎo): This character's primary meaning is “old” or “venerable.” However, when used as a prefix in many Chinese words, it indicates familiarity, respect, or affection, rather than age. Think of `老师 (lǎoshī)` for “teacher” or `老板 (lǎobǎn)` for “boss.” In `老公`, it adds a sense of endearment.
  • 公 (gōng): This character can mean “public,” “male,” or carry a sense of respect, historically referring to a duke or a lord.
  • Combined Meaning: Historically, `老公` referred to high-ranking court eunuchs or was a respectful term for an elderly man. Its modern meaning as “husband” is a relatively recent evolution, becoming popular in the 1980s and 90s, likely influenced by Hong Kong and Taiwanese pop culture. The term's journey reflects a cultural shift towards more open and affectionate expressions of love in marital relationships.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • From Formal to Intimate: The evolution of `老公` from an archaic, formal term to the standard for affectionate address is a window into modernizing Chinese society. It signals a move away from the highly formal, Confucian roles defined by terms like `丈夫 (zhàngfu)`, towards a relationship model that values and openly expresses personal intimacy and partnership.
  • Comparison to Western Culture: In English, the word “husband” is quite neutral. `老公 (lǎogōng)` is a step more informal and affectionate. It's closer in feeling to saying “my hubby” or how “my husband” is used in a warm, loving tone among friends. The more traditional and formal term `丈夫 (zhàngfu)` is like “husband” as used on an official form or in a formal announcement. Using `老公` shows you are “in the know” about modern Chinese culture.
  • Related Values: The widespread use of `老公` and its counterpart `老婆 (lǎopó)` for “wife” reflects a greater emphasis on the nuclear family unit and the romantic partnership at its core, a contrast to more traditional structures where the individual's role within the larger extended family was paramount.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • Direct Address: Spouses often call each other `老公` and `老婆` directly, much like “honey” or “darling” in English.
    • “老公，我们今天晚上吃什么？” (Lǎogōng, wǒmen jīntiān wǎnshang chī shénme?) - “Honey, what are we eating tonight?”
  • Referring to Your Husband: This is the most common way to refer to your husband when speaking with friends, colleagues (in a casual context), and family.
    • “我老公是工程师。” (Wǒ lǎogōng shì gōngchéngshī.) - “My husband is an engineer.”
  • Social Media: It is ubiquitous on platforms like WeChat (微信), Weibo (微博), and Douyin (抖音). Posts about family life, vacations, or date nights are filled with `老公`.
  • Formality: `老公` is decidedly informal. Avoid using it in highly formal or official situations, such as on legal documents, in a courtroom, or when introducing your husband to a senior, respected elder for the first time. In these cases, `我先生 (wǒ xiānsheng)` or `我爱人 (wǒ àiren)` is more appropriate. For written forms, `丈夫 (zhàngfu)` is the correct choice.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 这是我老公，他叫李伟。
    • Pinyin: Zhè shì wǒ lǎogōng, tā jiào Lǐ Wěi.
    • English: This is my husband, his name is Li Wei.
    • Analysis: A simple, standard introduction used among friends or in casual social settings.
  • Example 2:
    • 老公，你能帮我拿一下那个杯子吗？
    • Pinyin: Lǎogōng, nǐ néng bāng wǒ ná yīxià nàge bēizi ma?
    • English: Honey, can you help me grab that cup?
    • Analysis: Demonstrates direct address. Calling him `老公` is natural and affectionate.
  • Example 3:
    • 我老公工作很忙，常常需要加班。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ lǎogōng gōngzuò hěn máng, chángcháng xūyào jiābān.
    • English: My husband is very busy with work and often needs to work overtime.
    • Analysis: A common way to talk about your husband's life or habits with another person.
  • Example 4:
    • 你老公是哪里人？
    • Pinyin: Nǐ lǎogōng shì nǎlǐ rén?
    • English: Where is your husband from?
    • Analysis: Shows how you would ask someone else about their husband in a friendly, informal conversation.
  • Example 5:
    • 虽然我老公不浪漫，但是他对我很好。
    • Pinyin: Suīrán wǒ lǎogōng bù làngmàn, dànshì tā duì wǒ hěn hǎo.
    • English: Although my husband isn't romantic, he is very good to me.
    • Analysis: This sentence structure (`虽然…但是…` - “although…but…”) is very common, and `老公` fits perfectly in this personal, descriptive context.
  • Example 6:
    • 我给我老公买了一件新衬衫作为生日礼物。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ gěi wǒ lǎogōng mǎi le yī jiàn xīn chènshān zuòwéi shēngrì lǐwù.
    • English: I bought my husband a new shirt as a birthday present.
    • Analysis: A typical sentence describing an interaction or action related to one's husband.
  • Example 7:
    • 快看！那是我最喜欢的演员和他老公！
    • Pinyin: Kuài kàn! Nà shì wǒ zuì xǐhuān de yǎnyuán hé tā lǎogōng!
    • English: Look quickly! That's my favorite actress and her husband!
    • Analysis: Used here to refer to the husband of a third party (a celebrity). It's the standard term in gossip and entertainment news.
  • Example 8:
    • 我老公做的饭比我做的好吃多了。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ lǎogōng zuò de fàn bǐ wǒ zuò de hǎochī duō le.
    • English: The food my husband cooks is much more delicious than the food I cook.
    • Analysis: A great example of using `比 (bǐ)` for comparisons in a daily life context.
  • Example 9:
    • 我的理想老公要又高又帅，还要会做饭。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ de lǐxiǎng lǎogōng yào yòu gāo yòu shuài, hái yào huì zuòfàn.
    • English: My ideal husband must be tall and handsome, and also know how to cook.
    • Analysis: This shows the term being used in a hypothetical or aspirational sense, common among younger people talking about future partners.
  • Example 10:
    • 昨天我跟老公吵架了，现在还在生气。
    • Pinyin: Zuótiān wǒ gēn lǎogōng chǎojià le, xiànzài hái zài shēngqì.
    • English: I argued with my husband yesterday, and I'm still angry now.
    • Analysis: The term isn't just for positive situations. It's used for all aspects of married life, including disagreements. `跟 (gēn)… 吵架 (chǎojià)` means “to argue with…”.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • Mistake: Using it in Formal Settings. This is the biggest pitfall. Do not write `老公` on a visa application, a legal contract, or a bank form. In these situations, you must use the official term, `丈夫 (zhàngfu)`. Using `老公` would be seen as inappropriate and unprofessional.
    • Incorrect: 表格上请填写您老公的姓名。(Biǎogé shàng qǐng tiánxiě nín lǎogōng de xìngmíng.)
    • Correct: 表格上请填写您丈夫的姓名。(Biǎogé shàng qǐng tiánxiě nín zhàngfu de xìngmíng.)
  • Nuance: `老 (lǎo)` Does Not Mean Old. A common misunderstanding for beginners is thinking the `老` makes the term refer to an “old husband.” This is incorrect. It's a prefix of affection. A 25-year-old woman calls her 25-year-old husband `老公`.
  • Nuance: Public vs. Private Affection. While `老公` is informal, it's not overly private or “cutesy” like “hubby-wubby.” It's perfectly normal to use in public with friends or in a casual work environment. It simply signals “this is my partner in life.”

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 老婆 (lǎopó): The direct female counterpart to `老公`. It means “wife” with the same level of modern, informal affection.
  • 丈夫 (zhàngfu): The formal, written term for “husband.” Use this on documents and in very formal speech.
  • 妻子 (qīzi): The formal, written term for “wife.” It is the direct counterpart to `丈夫`.
  • 先生 (xiānsheng): A polite and slightly more formal way to refer to a husband. It also means “Mr.” or “gentleman.” It can be a good middle-ground if `老公` feels too casual and `丈夫` feels too stiff.
  • 爱人 (àiren): Literally “lover,” but it means “spouse” (gender-neutral). It was promoted by the Communist Party to signify equality. It can sound a bit official or dated to younger generations but is still used by older people.
  • 另一半 (lìngyībàn): “Other half.” A modern, sweet, and gender-neutral term for a spouse or serious partner.
  • 男人 (nánrén): Means “man.” In slang, a woman might refer to her husband or boyfriend as `我男人 (wǒ nánrén)`, meaning “my man.” This is very colloquial.
  • 家属 (jiāshǔ): “Family member(s).” An official term used on forms or in institutional settings (like a hospital or company) to refer to one's spouse and dependents.