p8nda
p8nda BETA
Home Dictionary Discord

老本

lǎoběn
noun #24,372

Meanings

  1. 1 principal; savings; capital
  2. 2 nest egg
  3. 3 past achievements or reputation to fall back on

Examples

他把老本都投进去了，结果赔光了。
Tā bǎ lǎoběn dōu tóu jìn qù le, jiéguǒ péi guāng le.
He put in all his savings and ended up losing everything.
不能总靠吃老本，要不断进步。
Bù néng zǒng kào chī lǎoběn, yào bùduàn jìnbù.
You can't always rest on past laurels — you need to keep improving.

Tips

usage
吃老本 (chī lǎoběn) — literally 'eating one's capital' — is a common phrase meaning to live off past achievements or savings without adding new value. It carries a mildly critical tone.

Stroke Order

老 lǎo
本 běn