Titles are important in Chinese culture, and they are used more frequently than in most Western countries.

The title for “shopkeeper” is laoban. This is used to refer to the owner or proprietor of a shop. Laoban can be used when referring to or addressing the shopkeeper.

Laoban has two characters: ??. The first one, lao, means “old,” and is a term of respect. It is the same character used in laoshi (teacher).

The second character, ban, means “boss,” so the literal translation of laoban “old boss.”

Examples of Laoban

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Nèigè laoban you mài hen hao de dongxi.
???????????｡
???????????｡
That shopkeeper has very good things.

Laoban hao. You méiyou mài píngguo?
???. ???????
???. ???????
Hello. Do you sell apples?