老字辈

老字辈

Literally means:

the old generation

Actually means:

the senior generation; the experienced people

辈 refers to the position in the family hierarchy.

The whole phrase means an experienced person or an aged and respected person. It connotes that one is respected due to his rich experience, as opposed to the junior generation (小字辈 young and inexperienced person). Commendatory

辈，指辈分。

老字辈，指资历深或年龄大的人。含有经验丰富而受到敬重的意思，相对于“小字辈”资历较浅年纪较轻的人具有褒义色彩。