Definition
敬老 is a formal verb-object compound (离合词) meaning 'to respect the elderly'. Its object 老 'old' is generic, so you don't add another direct object after it. When adding a measure word or duration, it splits (敬一次老 'show respect once'). It also appears in compound words like 敬老院 'nursing home'.
v.o.
to respect the elderlyto show respect for older people
Examples
- 敬老。Zhōngguó yǒu zūn lǎo jìng lǎo de chuántǒng.China has a tradition of respecting the elderly.
- 。Tāmen měinián dōu huì dào shèqū jìng yí cì lǎo.They go to the community every year to show respect to the elderly.
- 敬老。Zhèngfǔ gǔlì quán shèhuì jìng lǎo.The government encourages the whole society to respect the elderly.
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