说那个 老大混得好
“that since the oldest was doing well,”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
我爸以前可说过
“Dad used to say”
说 那个 老大 混得好
“that since the oldest was doing well,”
以后不用替他操心
“we didn't have to worry about him.”
Direct spoken expression in this communicative setting.
In traditional Chinese families, the eldest child (老大) shoulders the greatest filial and familial responsibility; their success relieves deep parental worry and sets the benchmark for the household.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
the eldest child / eldest brother
The standard informal kinship term in Chinese families to refer to the firstborn child.
to do well in life / to be successful
A very colloquial and pragmatic expression describing social, financial, or career success achieved through navigating society.
