When talking about your husband in Chinese, you'll most commonly hear the word “老公 (lǎo gōng)”. This is an informal and very common way to refer to one’s husband, much like saying "hubby" in English, but it’s used in almost all contexts.
It’s important to know that while there is a more formal term, "丈夫 (zhàng fū)", "老公" is far more prevalent in daily conversation among Chinese speakers. So, if you want to sound natural, "老公" is the word to use.
When talking about your significant other in Chinese, you have a few options depending on the level of formality. 老公 (lǎo gōng) is the informal way to say 'husband'. It's commonly used among couples and in casual conversations. While it's very widespread, it's generally reserved for personal use, much like 'hubby' in English.
For more formal situations or when introducing your husband in a professional context, you might opt for other terms. However, among friends and family, 老公 is the go-to word. Using it shows a comfortable and close relationship.
When talking about your own husband, you can use the informal term 老公 (lǎogōng). This is a common and affectionate way to refer to one's husband in everyday Chinese conversations. You'll hear it used frequently among couples and when friends are discussing their spouses. While there are more formal terms like 丈夫 (zhàngfu), 老公 (lǎogōng) is the go-to for most casual interactions.
老公 in 30 Seconds
- Informal husband
- Commonly used by wives
- Affectionate term
§ Understanding 老公 (lǎo gōng)
Alright, let's talk about 老公 (lǎo gōng). This word is your go-to for 'husband' in everyday Chinese. It's informal, common, and widely understood. Think of it like saying 'hubby' or 'my man' in English, but it's totally standard and not overly casual or slangy. You'll hear it all the time.
- DEFINITION
- Husband (informal).
§ Basic Sentence Structure with 老公
Using 老公 in a sentence is pretty straightforward. It functions as a noun, so you can place it wherever a noun would go in a Chinese sentence. The most common structure is to use it as the subject or object of a sentence.
我老公很喜欢做饭。
Translation hint: My husband really likes to cook.
她和她老公去旅行了。
Translation hint: She went traveling with her husband.
§ Using Possessive '的' (de) with 老公
You'll often hear 老公 with the possessive particle 的 (de) when someone is talking about 'my husband' or 'her husband'. While you can say 我的老公 (wǒ de lǎo gōng), it's more common to just say 我老公 (wǒ lǎo gōng) if the possessor is clear from context, especially in spoken Chinese. However, if you want to emphasize possession or clarity, 的 is always an option.
- Without 的 (de) (more common):
我老公今天会加班。
Translation hint: My husband will work overtime today.
- With 的 (de) (for emphasis or clarity):
这是我的老公，李明。
Translation hint: This is my husband, Li Ming.
§ 老公 with Verbs and Prepositions
老公 can be the subject or object of many verbs. It can also be used with various prepositions, though '跟 (gēn, with)' or '和 (hé, and/with)' are particularly common when indicating doing something together.
- As a direct object:
她非常爱她的老公。
Translation hint: She loves her husband very much.
- With 跟 (gēn) or 和 (hé) for 'with':
我跟老公周末会去看电影。
Translation hint: My husband and I will go see a movie on the weekend.
她和老公一起经营一家餐厅。
Translation hint: She runs a restaurant with her husband.
§ Addressing Your Husband
When a wife directly addresses her husband, she can simply say 老公 (lǎo gōng). It's a term of endearment and direct address.
老公，你回来了！
Translation hint: Husband, you're back!
§ Mistake 1: Using 老公 (lǎo gōng) for a boyfriend
This is a big one. While in English, people might casually refer to their boyfriend as “my man” or “my hubby,” in Chinese, 老公 (lǎo gōng) is strictly for a husband. Using it for a boyfriend can lead to misunderstandings or make you sound a bit presumptuous. It implies a much more serious, marital commitment than just dating.
这是我男朋友。(Zhè shì wǒ nán péngyǒu.)
- Translation hint
- This is my boyfriend.
§ Mistake 2: Using 老公 (lǎo gōng) in formal settings
As mentioned, 老公 (lǎo gōng) is an informal term. While it's perfectly fine in casual conversation with friends and family, it’s generally not appropriate for formal situations. For example, if you're introducing your husband to your boss or in a professional setting, it’s better to use 丈夫 (zhàngfu).
这是我的丈夫。(Zhè shì wǒ de zhàngfu.)
- Translation hint
- This is my husband.
§ Mistake 3: Overusing 老公 (lǎo gōng)
While it’s a sweet term of endearment, like any term of endearment, overusing it can sound a bit repetitive or even a little unnatural. In many contexts, simply saying “他” (tā, he/him) or using his name is perfectly fine and more natural. You don't need to append “老公” to every sentence about your husband.
他今天会回家吃晚饭。(Tā jīntiān huì huí jiā chī wǎnfàn.)
- Translation hint
- He will come home for dinner today.
§ Mistake 4: Using 老公 (lǎo gōng) for other men
This might seem obvious, but it’s worth stating clearly. 老公 (lǎo gōng) is exclusively for your own husband. Never use it to refer to another woman’s husband, or any other man for that matter. It would be highly inappropriate and potentially offensive.
§ Mistake 5: Not understanding the modern context of 老公 (lǎo gōng) as a fan term
In modern Chinese internet culture, especially among younger generations, 老公 (lǎo gōng) can sometimes be used jokingly or as a fan term for male celebrities or idols. For example, a fangirl might refer to her favorite male singer as “我的老公” (wǒ de lǎo gōng, my husband) in an affectionate, idolizing way. However, this is very much a niche usage and should not be confused with its primary meaning. Unless you are part of a specific fan community and understand the context perfectly, stick to the traditional usage.
好多人都叫他老公！(Hǎo duō rén dōu jiào tā lǎo gōng!)
- Translation hint
- Many people call him 'husband' (referring to a celebrity).
§ Key takeaways for using 老公 (lǎo gōng)
- It's informal and affectionate.
- Strictly for your actual husband.
- Avoid in formal contexts.
- Don't overuse it.
- Be aware of modern internet slang, but use with caution.
§ Understanding 老公 (lǎo gōng)
Alright, let's talk about 老公 (lǎo gōng). This is a really common word in modern Chinese for 'husband'. It's informal, affectionate, and widely used, especially among younger and middle-aged couples. Think of it like calling your husband 'hubby' or a similar endearing term in English, but it's also perfectly acceptable for everyday use without being overly cutesy.
- DEFINITION
- Husband (informal).
我的老公很帅。
Translation hint: My husband is very handsome.
她和她老公去旅游了。
Translation hint: She and her husband went traveling.
§ Alternatives to 老公 (lǎo gōng)
While 老公 (lǎo gōng) is super common, you'll hear other words for 'husband' too. Knowing when to use which one is key to sounding natural.
- 丈夫 (zhàng fū): This is the standard, more formal word for 'husband'. You'll see it in official documents, news reports, and sometimes in more serious conversations. It's safe, but can sound a bit distant if used casually between a couple. It's like 'spouse' or 'consort' but specifically for husband.
她的丈夫是一名医生。
Translation hint: Her husband is a doctor.
- 爱人 (ài rén): This word literally means 'lover' or 'dear one', but it's also used to mean 'spouse' (either husband or wife). It was more common in mainland China in previous generations, particularly during socialist times, to avoid gender-specific terms. You might still hear older people use it, but it's less common among younger folks now. It has a slightly old-fashioned or formal feel compared to 老公 (lǎo gōng).
我的爱人很支持我。
Translation hint: My spouse (or dear one) is very supportive of me.
- 先生 (xiān shēng): This word primarily means 'Mr.' or 'gentleman'. However, in some contexts, particularly in Taiwan or among older generations, it can also refer to 'husband' when speaking about someone else's husband in a polite way. It's less common for a wife to call her own husband 先生 (xiān shēng) in direct address.
王先生是她的先生。
Translation hint: Mr. Wang is her husband.
§ When to use 老公 (lǎo gōng)
Stick with 老公 (lǎo gōng) for most informal and everyday situations. It's what you'll hear most often among friends, family, and in general conversation. It's the go-to for affection and informality. If you're talking about your own husband, or referring to a friend's husband in a casual chat, 老公 (lǎo gōng) is your best bet.
Here’s a quick guide:
- Casual conversation with friends/family: Use 老公 (lǎo gōng).
- Referring to your own husband: Use 老公 (lǎo gōng).
- Online forums/social media: Use 老公 (lǎo gōng).
- Formal writing/official documents: Use 丈夫 (zhàng fū).
- Speaking with older generations (sometimes): 爱人 (ài rén) or 丈夫 (zhàng fū) might be heard.
- Politely referring to someone else's husband (less common, mainly Taiwan/older): 先生 (xiān shēng).
Don't overthink it, but do pay attention to context. If you're unsure, 老公 (lǎo gōng) is generally safe for informal use, and 丈夫 (zhàng fū) for formal. You'll pick up the nuances as you hear more native speakers.
Difficulty Rating
Two simple characters, common in everyday text.
Both characters have relatively few strokes and are frequently encountered.
Tones are straightforward (third then first), and the word is common.
Very high frequency word, easy to recognize in conversation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Can be used as a direct address. It's common for wives to call their husbands this way, especially in private or affectionate settings.
老公，你回来了！ (Lǎogōng, nǐ huílái le! - Honey, you're back!)
Can be used with possessive pronoun '我的' (wǒ de - my).
我的老公很帅。 (Wǒ de lǎogōng hěn shuài. - My husband is very handsome.)
Can be used with '是' (shì - is/am/are) to identify someone as a husband.
他是我老公。 (Tā shì wǒ lǎogōng. - He is my husband.)
Often appears in spoken Chinese, less common in formal writing.
我老公今天加班。 (Wǒ lǎogōng jīntiān jiābān. - My husband is working overtime today.)
It's generally used by wives, not by husbands referring to themselves, or by third parties in a formal context.
她和她老公去看电影了。 (Tā hé tā lǎogōng qù kàn diànyǐng le. - She and her husband went to see a movie.)
Examples by Level
我老公很好。
My husband is very good.
很 (hěn) means 'very'.
他是我老公。
He is my husband.
是 (shì) means 'is'/'am'/'are'.
我爱我老公。
I love my husband.
爱 (ài) means 'love'.
我老公工作。
My husband works.
工作 (gōngzuò) means 'to work'.
我老公吃饭。
My husband eats.
吃饭 (chīfàn) means 'to eat'.
我老公回家。
My husband goes home.
回家 (huíjiā) means 'to go home'.
我老公很高。
My husband is tall.
高 (gāo) means 'tall' or 'high'.
我老公喜欢喝茶。
My husband likes to drink tea.
喜欢 (xǐhuān) means 'to like', 喝 (hē) means 'to drink', 茶 (chá) means 'tea'.
我老公很喜欢做饭。
My husband really likes to cook.
我老公是一名工程师。
My husband is an engineer.
她和她老公的感情很好。
Her and her husband's relationship is very good.
我老公出差了，家里就我一个人。
My husband is on a business trip, so I'm alone at home.
我老公总是把家里收拾得井井有条。
My husband always keeps the house tidy and organized.
她今天和她老公一起去看了电影。
She went to see a movie with her husband today.
我老公的生日快到了，我在考虑给他买什么礼物。
My husband's birthday is coming soon, I'm thinking about what gift to buy him.
我老公说他晚上会晚点回家，因为公司有事。
My husband said he would come home later tonight because of something at work.
Often Confused With
Use '我的老公' (wǒ de lǎo gōng) for an informal and affectionate tone. While '我的丈夫' (wǒ de zhàng fū) is also correct, it's more formal.
'老公' is for your own husband, especially when speaking informally or affectionately. '先生' is more formal and can be used for your husband, but it's also used to address any male politely (like 'Mr.').
Yes, '老公' specifically refers to a husband, meaning a man who is married. It's not used for boyfriends.
Idioms & Expressions
"模范老公 (mófàn lǎo gōng)"
Model husband
他是一个模范老公，每天帮妻子做家务。(He is a model husband, helping his wife with housework every day.)
neutral"好老公 (hǎo lǎo gōng)"
Good husband
我老公对我很好，是个好老公。(My husband is very good to me; he is a good husband.)
neutral"爱老公 (ài lǎo gōng)"
Love my husband
我爱我老公，他对我很好。(I love my husband, he is very good to me.)
neutral"老公老婆 (lǎo gōng lǎo pó)"
Husband and wife
他们是一对恩爱的老公老婆。(They are a loving husband and wife.)
neutral"我的老公 (wǒ de lǎo gōng)"
My husband
这是我的老公，李明。(This is my husband, Li Ming.)
neutral"疼老公 (téng lǎo gōng)"
Dote on husband
她很疼老公，经常给他买礼物。(She dotes on her husband, often buying him gifts.)
neutral"嫁给老公 (jià gěi lǎo gōng)"
Marry my husband (from a woman's perspective)
我嫁给了我的老公，我们很幸福。(I married my husband, and we are very happy.)
neutral"老公赚钱 (lǎo gōng zhuàn qián)"
Husband earns money
我老公很努力工作，赚钱养家。(My husband works very hard to earn money to support the family.)
neutral"老公做饭 (lǎo gōng zuò fàn)"
Husband cooks
今天我老公做饭，我休息。(Today my husband is cooking, I'm resting.)
neutral"跟老公 (gēn lǎo gōng)"
With husband
我喜欢跟老公一起看电影。(I like to watch movies with my husband.)
neutralEasily Confused
Both 老公 and 先生 can refer to a husband. However, 先生 has a broader meaning and can also mean 'Mr.' or 'gentleman'.
老公 specifically means 'husband' in an informal and affectionate context. 先生 can mean 'husband' but is more formal, and more commonly used to address any man politely.
这是我的老公。(Zhè shì wǒ de lǎo gōng.) - This is my husband. / 李先生，您好！(Lǐ xiān sheng, nín hǎo!) - Hello, Mr. Li!
Both mean 'husband'.
老公 is informal and often used between spouses or close friends. 丈夫 is a more formal and general term for 'husband', often used in official contexts or when speaking generally about someone's husband.
我的老公很爱我。(Wǒ de lǎo gōng hěn ài wǒ.) - My husband loves me very much. / 她的丈夫是一名医生。(Tā de zhàng fū shì yī míng yī shēng.) - Her husband is a doctor.
Both refer to a male partner.
老公 is a married man. 男朋友 refers to a boyfriend, someone in a dating relationship but not yet married.
我去年结婚了，他现在是我的老公。(Wǒ qù nián jié hūn le, tā xiàn zài shì wǒ de lǎo gōng.) - I got married last year, he is my husband now. / 她有一个很帅的男朋友。(Tā yǒu yī gè hěn shuài de nán péng yǒu.) - She has a very handsome boyfriend.
Both refer to a spouse.
老公 specifically means 'husband'. 爱人 can mean either 'husband' or 'wife', and is a more gender-neutral and somewhat older term for spouse, still used but less common than 老公 or 妻子 (qī zi - wife).
我的老公很幽默。(Wǒ de lǎo gōng hěn yōu mò.) - My husband is very humorous. / 他和他的爱人一起去旅行。(Tā hé tā de ài rén yī qǐ qù lǚ xíng.) - He travels with his spouse.
Both refer to a male spouse, often in a long-term relationship.
老公 is generally used by a wife to refer to her husband, regardless of age. 老伴 is specifically used for one's long-term spouse, usually in old age, implying a lifelong partnership.
我老公今天会做饭。(Wǒ lǎo gōng jīn tiān huì zuò fàn.) - My husband will cook today. / 这对老伴每天都去公园散步。(Zhè duì lǎo bàn měi tiān dōu qù gōng yuán sàn bù.) - This old couple goes for a walk in the park every day.
Word Family
Nouns
How to Use It
老公 (lǎo gōng) is the most common informal way to say 'husband' in Chinese. It's widely used in daily conversation, especially among younger couples or those who prefer a more affectionate term. It's similar to saying 'hubby' or 'my man' in English, but it's not as casual as to be considered slang. You can use it directly when referring to your own husband or when talking about someone else's husband in an informal context.
The biggest mistake is thinking 老公 is a formal term. It's not. If you need a more formal term, like in a business setting or when introducing your husband to a new acquaintance in a more traditional context, you might opt for 丈夫 (zhàng fū). Another common mistake is overusing it in very formal situations or with people you don't know well. Stick to informal settings.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of an old public servant, like a 'public grandad' (公 gōng is grandad in some dialects, but here it means public, 老 lǎo means old). He's a 'husband' to the community. It's a bit of a stretch, but can help link 'public old' to 'husband'.
Visual Association
Imagine an old man, your 'husband', sitting on a park bench in a 'public' (公) park. He's a bit 'old' (老).
Word Web
Challenge
Translate: 'My husband is very handsome.' (我的老公很帅。Wǒ de lǎogōng hěn shuài.) Then, try saying: 'Do you have a husband?' (你有没有老公？Nǐ yǒu méiyǒu lǎogōng?)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsBoth 老公 (lǎo gōng) and 丈夫 (zhàng fū) mean 'husband'. However, 老公 is much more informal and commonly used in everyday conversation, especially among younger couples or within a family. 丈夫 is more formal and can be used in official documents, speeches, or when you want to sound more respectful or traditional. Think of it like the difference between saying 'hubby' and 'my husband' in English. While both are correct, 老公 is definitely the more natural choice for most casual interactions.
No, you should only use 老公 when referring to your own husband or when speaking to someone about their husband in an informal context where you are familiar with them. It's not a general term you'd use to refer to any married man you don't know well. Using it incorrectly could sound awkward or even a little too familiar.
Yes, when used appropriately within a marriage, 老公 is a very affectionate and respectful term. It shows intimacy and closeness. However, as mentioned, it's about context. Don't use it for someone else's husband unless you're very close to them and it's clear it's meant affectionately.
Definitely! You'll often hear it in phrases like:
- 我老公 (wǒ lǎo gōng) - my husband
- 老公，我爱你！ (lǎo gōng, wǒ ài nǐ!) - Hubby, I love you!
- 我老公很帅。 (wǒ lǎo gōng hěn shuài.) - My husband is very handsome.
In modern Chinese, it's becoming increasingly common for couples in serious, long-term relationships (especially those living together or engaged) to refer to each other as 老公 (lǎo gōng) and 老婆 (lǎo pó - wife/wifey) even before marriage. It signifies a deep commitment and a de facto marital status. So, yes, it's possible, but it implies a very serious relationship.
老公 is pronounced as lǎo gōng.
- 老 (lǎo) uses the third tone, a dipping tone. It goes down then up.
- 公 (gōng) uses the first tone, a high, flat tone.
The female equivalent of 老公 is 老婆 (lǎo pó), which informally means 'wife' or 'wifey'. It carries the same informal and affectionate connotations.
Yes, 老公 is widely understood and used across mainland China, Taiwan, and other Chinese-speaking communities. It's a very common and natural term for 'husband' in informal settings everywhere.
You would definitely not use 老公 in formal situations like:
- Introducing your husband to a business associate for the first time. You'd likely say 这是我丈夫 (zhè shì wǒ zhàng fū - This is my husband).
- In official documents or marriage certificates.
- When talking about a famous historical figure's husband.
The characters 老 (lǎo) means 'old' and 公 (gōng) means 'public' or 'male/lord'. Historically, '老公' sometimes referred to an elderly male servant or eunuch, but this usage is archaic and completely unrelated to its modern meaning as 'husband'. In contemporary Chinese, 老公 exclusively refers to one's husband (informally).
Test Yourself 84 questions
Write a short sentence introducing your 'husband' using '老公'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
这是我的老公。
Write a simple sentence asking someone if they have a 'husband' using '老公'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
你有没有老公？
Imagine your friend is talking about her 'husband'. How would you simply say 'My husband is very busy'?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我的老公很忙。
她和谁去中国？
Read this passage:
她和她的老公去中国。他们喜欢中国菜。
她和谁去中国？
文章中提到她和她的老公去中国。
文章中提到她和她的老公去中国。
他的老公做什么工作？
Read this passage:
他有一个老公。他的老公是医生。
他的老公做什么工作？
文章中明确提到他的老公是医生。
文章中明确提到他的老公是医生。
我老公今天做什么？
Read this passage:
我老公今天在家。他不做饭。
我老公今天做什么？
文章中说“我老公今天在家”。
文章中说“我老公今天在家”。
The correct order is 'I husband is doctor'.
The correct order is 'Her husband very handsome'.
The correct order is 'You and husband eat meal (question particle)'.
她和她的___一起去旅行了。
The sentence means 'She traveled with her husband.' '老公' is the correct informal term for husband.
我的___喜欢打篮球。
The sentence means 'My husband likes to play basketball.' '老公' is the appropriate term here.
她常常给___做饭。
The sentence means 'She often cooks for her husband.' '老公' fits the context.
___，你今天想吃什么？
This is a common way for a wife to address her husband, asking 'Husband, what do you want to eat today?'
他们的___是一位医生。
The sentence means 'Her husband is a doctor.' '老公' is the correct term.
我的___送给我一个礼物。
The sentence means 'My husband gave me a gift.' '老公' is the appropriate choice.
My husband loves to cook.
She went traveling with her husband.
Is your husband busy with work?
Read this aloud:
我老公是医生。
Focus: lǎo gōng
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我的老公很帅。
Focus: hěn shuài
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
他们是老公和老婆。
Focus: lǎo gōng hé lǎo pó
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a short sentence introducing your 'husband' using '老公'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
这是我的老公。
Imagine you are talking to a friend. Write a simple sentence asking where their husband is.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
你老公在哪儿？
Write a sentence saying 'My husband likes to drink tea.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我老公喜欢喝茶。
谁上周末去了北京？
Read this passage:
小李和她老公上周末去了北京。他们很喜欢北京的故宫。
谁上周末去了北京？
文章中明确提到“小李和她老公上周末去了北京”。
文章中明确提到“小李和她老公上周末去了北京”。
我的老公喜欢做什么？
Read this passage:
我的老公很高。他喜欢打篮球。
我的老公喜欢做什么？
文章中提到“他喜欢打篮球”。
文章中提到“他喜欢打篮球”。
她老公身体怎么样？
Read this passage:
她老公每天早上都去跑步。他身体很好。
她老公身体怎么样？
文章中说“他身体很好”。
文章中说“他身体很好”。
This sentence means 'He is my husband.' The usual word order in Chinese is Subject-Verb-Object.
This sentence translates to 'My husband loves me very much.' The adverb '很' (very) comes before the verb.
This sentence means 'Her husband is a doctor.' '的' indicates possession.
她经常和___一起散步。
In informal contexts, '老公' is a common and natural way to refer to one's husband.
我的___喜欢给我做饭。
Here, '老公' fits the context of a spouse who cooks.
她打电话给她___，告诉他她要晚点回家。
It's common for a wife to call her husband to inform him about a late return.
他们结婚十年了，她的___对她很好。
After ten years of marriage, '老公' is the appropriate term for her husband.
我 ___ 刚出差回来，给他准备了晚餐。
Preparing dinner for one's husband upon his return from a business trip is a common scenario.
她和她___周末喜欢一起看电影。
Watching movies together is a common activity for a couple.
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 我的____很喜欢做饭。
The sentence means 'My ___ loves to cook.' '老公' (husband) makes the most sense in this context. '老板' means boss, '老师' means teacher, and '老鼠' means mouse.
Which sentence correctly uses '老公'?
All three sentences use '老公' correctly in the context of referring to a husband. They mean: 'Her husband is a doctor.' 'My husband didn't go to work today.' 'What does your husband do?'
If someone asks '你结婚了吗？' (Nǐ jié hūn le ma?), and you are married, how might you informally refer to your spouse?
'我老公' is the most common informal way to refer to one's husband in everyday conversation. While '我丈夫', '我先生', and '我爱人' are also correct, '老公' specifically fits the informal tone.
In Chinese culture, '老公' is a formal term used primarily in official documents.
'老公' is an informal term for husband, commonly used in daily conversation among family and close friends, not in official documents.
You can use '老公' to refer to a male friend who is not your husband.
'老公' specifically refers to a husband. It is not used for male friends.
When addressing your husband directly, calling him '老公' is a common and affectionate way to do so.
Yes, '老公' is frequently used as an affectionate term when addressing one's husband directly.
The speaker is talking about her husband's hobby.
Someone is asking about a husband's whereabouts.
The speaker is introducing her husband's profession.
Read this aloud:
我老公常常出差。
Focus: chūchāi
You said:
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Read this aloud:
她老公对她很好。
Focus: duì tā hěn hǎo
You said:
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Read this aloud:
我的老公下班了。
Focus: xiàbān le
You said:
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Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: “她总是对她的___言听计从，从不反驳。” (She always obeys her ___ and never talks back.)
The sentence describes a relationship where one person always obeys another without question, which is often the case in a traditional marital dynamic. '老公' (husband) fits this context perfectly, implying a close personal relationship. Other options like '老板' (boss), '老师' (teacher), or '老乡' (fellow countryman) denote different types of relationships where such absolute obedience is less expected or contextually different.
Which of the following sentences correctly uses '老公'?
Option A is correct because '老公' is used in a natural context to refer to one's husband. Option B is grammatically correct but semantically odd as '老公' implies a marital relationship, making '好朋友' redundant or slightly off. Option C is incorrect as you cannot 'give' a husband to someone. Option D is grammatically correct but the question asks for the best usage. Option A demonstrates a common and appropriate use of the word.
In which scenario would it be most appropriate to use '老公'?
'老公' is an informal term for 'husband'. Therefore, it is most appropriate when referring to one's male spouse in a casual or personal setting. It would be inappropriate in formal business contexts (A), for addressing elders (C, where '老人家' or '先生' might be used), or for introducing colleagues (D, where their full name or '同事' would be used).
You can use '老公' to refer to any married man you know.
'老公' is an intimate term used specifically by a wife to refer to her own husband. It is not used to refer to any married man you know, as that would be inappropriate and potentially confusing.
It is common for Chinese women to affectionately call their boyfriends '老公' even before marriage.
While '老公' technically means husband, in modern informal usage, it's increasingly common for young Chinese women to affectionately call their long-term boyfriends '老公' as a sign of deep affection and commitment, even before marriage. This indicates a strong emotional bond and future intentions.
Using '老公' in a very formal setting, like a press conference, would be considered appropriate.
'老公' is an informal term. In very formal settings like a press conference, a more formal term like '先生' (Mr./husband) or '我的丈夫' (my husband) would be more appropriate and respectful. Using '老公' in such a context would likely be considered too casual or unprofessional.
Listen to the sentence about what her husband likes to do.
Listen to the question about her husband's availability.
Listen to the sentence about her husband's cooking skills.
Read this aloud:
我老公下班后通常会去健身房。
Focus: 老 (lǎo) 公 (gōng)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
她和她老公的感情一直都很好。
Focus: 感情 (gǎn qíng)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
我老公说他晚上会晚点回来，让我不用等他。
Focus: 晚点 (wǎn diǎn)
You said:
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Imagine you are writing a short social media post celebrating a close friend's wedding. Use '老公' at least once in your post to congratulate the newlywed couple and express your well wishes. Focus on conveying warmth and happiness.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
恭喜我最好的朋友喜结连理！看到你找到这么好的老公，我真的替你开心。祝你们新婚快乐，永浴爱河，永远幸福！
You are writing a diary entry about a funny or memorable moment involving your friend and her husband ('老公'). Describe the situation, what happened, and your reaction. Make sure to use descriptive language.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
今天和丽丽（我的朋友）和她老公一起吃饭，发生了一件特别好笑的事情。她老公在讲一个笑话的时候，不小心把汤洒了一身，丽丽的反应也很有趣。他们夫妻俩的互动总是那么有爱，真是让人羡慕。我希望我未来的老公也能像他一样幽默风趣。
Write a short paragraph for a friend who is getting married, offering advice on how to maintain a happy relationship with her future husband ('老公'). Focus on practical tips and positive encouragement.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
亲爱的，很高兴看到你即将步入婚姻的殿堂。维系一段幸福的婚姻需要双方的努力。记住要多和你的老公沟通，相互理解，并且永远支持对方的梦想。小小的浪漫和惊喜也能让感情保鲜哦！祝你和你的老公永远幸福！
根据短文，小李和她的老公在厦门做了什么？
Read this passage:
小李和她的老公上周末去了一趟厦门旅行。他们在海边散步，品尝了当地的美食，还参观了鼓浪屿。小李说，虽然旅途中有一些小插曲，但因为有老公在身边，一切都变得很美好。她非常享受这次与老公一起的浪漫时光。
根据短文，小李和她的老公在厦门做了什么？
短文中明确提到小李和她的老公在海边散步，品尝了当地的美食，还参观了鼓浪屿。
短文中明确提到小李和她的老公在海边散步，品尝了当地的美食，还参观了鼓浪屿。
王阿姨为什么要准备惊喜？
Read this passage:
王阿姨最近一直在为她老公的生日准备惊喜。她偷偷订了一个特别的蛋糕，还邀请了他们夫妻俩的几位老朋友来家里吃饭。王阿姨说，虽然每年都会给老公过生日，但每一次都想给他不一样的惊喜，让他感受到被爱。
王阿姨为什么要准备惊喜？
短文第一句就说明了王阿姨在为她老公的生日准备惊喜。
短文第一句就说明了王阿姨在为她老公的生日准备惊喜。
张先生和他的老公有什么共同的爱好？
Read this passage:
张先生和他的老公都是音乐爱好者。他们经常一起去听音乐会，也会在家中分享彼此喜欢的音乐。张先生认为，共同的爱好是他们关系保鲜的重要秘诀之一。他说，每次和老公一起享受音乐的时候，都感觉非常放松和幸福。
张先生和他的老公有什么共同的爱好？
短文第一句明确提到“张先生和他的老公都是音乐爱好者”，并且后面也提到了他们经常一起听音乐会和分享音乐。
短文第一句明确提到“张先生和他的老公都是音乐爱好者”，并且后面也提到了他们经常一起听音乐会和分享音乐。
This sentence describes her husband's profession. '她的老公' (her husband) is the subject, followed by '是' (is) and '一位工程师' (an engineer).
This sentence means 'My husband loves cooking.' '我老公' (my husband) is the subject, '很喜欢' (really likes) is the verb phrase, and '做饭' (cooking) is the object.
This is a question asking if 'your husband is home today.' '你老公' (your husband) is the subject, '今天' (today) is the time, '在家' (at home) is the location, and '吗' is the question particle.
This sentence means 'Her husband is a doctor.' The standard word order in Chinese is Subject + Verb + Object. Here, '她的老公' (her husband) is the subject, '是' (is) is the verb, and '一位医生' (a doctor) is the object.
This sentence asks 'Where does your husband work?' The structure is Subject + '在' (at) + Place + Verb. '你的老公' (your husband) is the subject, '在哪里' (where) indicates the place, and '工作' (work) is the verb.
This sentence means 'My husband and I went traveling.' '我和我老公' (my husband and I) acts as the subject, '去' (go) is the verb, and '旅行' (travel) is the activity. '了' indicates a completed action.
/ 84 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
老公 is an informal and affectionate way for a wife to refer to her husband in Chinese.
- Informal husband
- Commonly used by wives
- Affectionate term
Example
我老公很喜欢做饭。
