老少咸宜
lǎo shào xián yí
suitable for young and old alike
Character by character
老lǎo
old
old
少shào
young
young
咸xián
all
all
宜yí
suitable
suitable
Example
这部动画片老少咸宜，全家人一起看正合适。
This animated film suits young and old alike; it is just right for the whole family to watch together.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
咸 is classical “all” here, not “salty”. Said of films, shows, food, games and places to visit: 老少咸宜的节目. The everyday variant is 老少皆宜, with the same meaning.
Learn this in Lesson 234 · HSK 9+: 春晚 (The Spring Festival Gala)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
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