老(lǎo): prefix used before the surname of a person or a numeral indicating…
HSK 16 strokes
prefix used before the surname of a person or a numeral indicating…
Stroke order animation
Character information
- Pinyin
- lǎo
- Meaning
- prefix used before the surname of a person or a numeral indicating the order of birth of the children in a family or to indicate affection or familiarity; old (of people); venerable (person); experienced; of long standing; always; all the time; of the past; very; outdated; (of meat etc) tough
- Strokes
- 6
- HSK level
- HSK 1
- Traditional
- Same
Origin & structure
Where 老 comes from and how its parts fit together.
How to write 老 step by step
6 strokes — each frame adds one stroke, shown in dark ink over the lighter ones.
- 1
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- 4
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- 6
Words with 老
Common words using 老 — tap any character to open its stroke-order page.
Related characters
Ready to master 老?
Trace 老 stroke by stroke in the online practice tool, or turn it into a printable worksheet PDF with Tianzige practice grids, pinyin, and stroke-order breakdowns.