老本

lǎoběn

noun #24,372

Meanings

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

Characters

root; capital; original

Examples

HSK 3

不能总靠吃老本，要不断进步。

Bùnéng zǒng kào chīlǎoběn, yào bùduàn jìnbù.

You can't always rest on past laurels - you need to keep improving.

HSK 5

他把老本都投进去了，结果赔光了。

Tā bǎ lǎoběn dōu tóu jìnqù le, jiéguǒ péi guāng le.

He put in all his savings and ended up losing everything.

Tips

usage

吃老本 - 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