<p>It means always, and can be replaced with “总是”.</p>
<p>Full sentence translation: Just that (he/she) walks too fast, I always can't keep up.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-02-20T22:10:04.060Z
I see! Thank you so much for the answer! I have another question though, is it common to replace 总是 with 老? When do you usually do it?
Agnes
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-02-21T00:51:03.523Z
Great question @Agnes , yes and no, from my understanding, it really depends on the occasion / context. To me, 老 feels a bit casual and you can use it more often in daily conversations, e.g. 你老迟到, it almost has a sense of complaining, while 总是 feels a bit formal, and seen more on written format. Another aspect is that 总是 always means "always", whilst 老 can also mean old or senior. You can call someone by adding 老 before their family name, e.g. 老李, 老赵, if you're familiar with the person and he is a senior.
UdonN00dle
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-02-21T03:53:52.603Z
I see!!! Thank you so much!!! Your answer really helps clear my confusion!!!
Agnes
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-02-20T19:35:40.457Z
2021-02-20T19:35:40.457Z
UdonN00dle
<p>The meaning of 老 serving as an adverb is 总是.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-02-20T22:11:04.240Z
Thank you so much for the answer! I have one more question about it. Is it common to replace 总是 with 老? When do you usually do it?
Agnes
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-02-21T12:50:16.637Z
@Agnes 老 is used more in Northern China, and is more casual in terms of register.
Starckman
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-02-20T19:35:31.190Z
2021-02-20T19:35:31.190Z
Starckman
<p>I’m currently watching A Love So Beautiful with Chinese subtitle and there’s a line where the main character, Chen Xiaoxi, said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“就是走路太快，我老跟不上。”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>What does 老 mean here?
Does it mean “我老了，我跟不上”?</p>

<meaning-in-context>
What does 老 mean here?
# What does 老 mean here?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-02-20)

I’m currently watching A Love So Beautiful with Chinese subtitle and there’s a line where the main character, Chen Xiaoxi, said:

> “就是走路太快，我老跟不上。”

What does 老 mean here?
Does it mean “我老了，我跟不上”?

**Tags:** meaning-in-context

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2021-02-20. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

It means always, and can be replaced with “总是”.

Full sentence translation: Just that (he/she) walks too fast, I always can't keep up.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I see! Thank you so much for the answer! I have another question though, is it common to replace 总是 with 老? When do you usually do it?  
> **username_1**: Great question @Agnes , yes and no, from my understanding, it really depends on the occasion / context. To me, 老 feels a bit casual and you can use it more often in daily conversations, e.g. 你老迟到, it almost has a sense of complaining, while 总是 feels a bit formal, and seen more on written format. Another aspect is that 总是 always means "always", whilst 老 can also mean old or senior. You can call someone by adding 老 before their family name, e.g. 老李, 老赵, if you're familiar with the person and he is a senior.  
> **username_0**: I see!!! Thank you so much!!! Your answer really helps clear my confusion!!!  

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### Answer by username_2 on 2021-02-20. Score: 1

The meaning of 老 serving as an adverb is 总是.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thank you so much for the answer! I have one more question about it. Is it common to replace 总是 with 老? When do you usually do it?  
> **username_2**: @Agnes 老 is used more in Northern China, and is more casual in terms of register.  

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