Laoban
/laʊˈbɑːn/noun
A Chinese term used in English for a boss, proprietor, or shopkeeper.
Did you know?In Mandarin, 老板 can address not only a company boss but also the owner of a small shop or stall, reflecting a flexible social meaning rather than a formal job title.
Etymological Timeline
Old Chinese
Chinese
老
“Old; aged; venerable”
Middle Chinese
Chinese
老
“Old or experienced”
Middle Chinese
Chinese
板
“Board, plank, or flat piece of wood”
Ming–Qing period
Mandarin
老板
“An owner, master, or person in charge; the compound became associated with proprietors and employers”
20th Century
English loanword
laoban
“A boss, proprietor, or shopkeeper”
Modern English
English
laoban
“A Chinese boss or business owner, especially in contexts discussing Chinese society or commerce”