gébì lǎo wáng: 隔壁老王 - Your Neighbor "Old Wang"; The Other Guy

• Keywords: gebi lao wang, gébì lǎo wáng, 隔壁老王, Neighbor Old Wang, the other guy, Chinese internet meme, Chinese slang, cuckold joke, what does Lao Wang mean, cheating spouse in Chinese
• Summary: “隔壁老王” (gébì lǎo wáng), literally “Old Wang from Next Door,” is a popular Chinese internet meme and slang term. It doesn't refer to a real person but is a humorous archetype representing the hypothetical neighbor with whom a person's wife or girlfriend is having an affair. This phrase is widely used in jokes and on social media to talk about infidelity, paternity questions, or the cuckolded husband, often in a dark, self-deprecating way. Understanding “隔壁老王” is key to grasping a unique and pervasive part of modern Chinese internet culture.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): gébì lǎo wáng
• Part of Speech: Noun Phrase / Proper Noun (used as a generic archetype)
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: A generic name for the neighbor with whom one's wife is having an affair.
• In a Nutshell: “隔壁老王” is the boogeyman for married men in China, but a funny one. He's the “other guy,” the faceless neighbor who is always conveniently there when the husband is away. The term is almost never serious and is used in jokes, memes, and casual conversation to poke fun at the anxieties of infidelity. Think of him as the punchline to any joke that starts with “My kid doesn't look like me…”

• 隔 (gé): To be separated from, or next to. In this context, it signifies proximity.
• 壁 (bì): Wall. Together, `隔壁 (gébì)` means “next door.”
• 老 (lǎo): Literally “old.” However, when placed before a surname, it's a common and informal way to address a male peer or acquaintance, similar to “Ol' Smith” or “Good old Smith.” It implies familiarity.
• 王 (wáng): A very common Chinese surname, which also means “king.” Its commonness is crucial; “Old Wang” could be anyone, anywhere, making the threat universal and relatable.

The characters combine to form the literal meaning “Old Wang from next door.” But through cultural evolution online, this simple phrase has become a loaded symbol for the anonymous romantic rival.

• An Internet-Age Archetype: 隔壁老王 is a product of Chinese internet culture (网络文化 - wǎngluò wénhuà). It gained popularity through online forums, jokes, and comics (mànhuà). The character embodies modern anxieties about relationships and trust, but repackages them in a humorous, shareable format that thrives on social media.
• Comparison to Western Concepts: The closest Western equivalent is the old joke about the “milkman” or the “pool boy” being the secret father of a child. Both concepts play on the idea of a man who has regular access to the home while the husband is away. However, 隔壁老王 is far more widespread and integrated into modern digital slang than its Western counterparts. It's a living, breathing meme.
• Connection to “Losing Face” and “Green Hats”: This term is deeply connected to the concept of 戴绿帽子 (dài lǜ màozi), “to wear a green hat,” which is the definitive Chinese expression for being cuckolded. Being cheated on causes a man to “lose face” (丢面子 - diū miànzi). 隔壁老王 is the one who *gives* you the green hat. Joking about him is a way for men to preemptively laugh at this social fear, turning a potential source of great shame into a communal joke.

• Social Media Commentary: This is the term's natural habitat. If a celebrity is involved in a cheating scandal, or someone posts a picture of a baby that looks nothing like the father, the comments section will inevitably be flooded with “你是不是要问问隔壁老王？” (“Shouldn't you ask Old Wang next door?”).
• Joking Among Friends: It's a common joke among male friends, especially if one is traveling for work or spending a lot of time away from home. A friend might say, “Be good to your wife, or 隔壁老王 will do it for you.” It's almost always said with a laugh.
• Connotation and Formality: The term is highly informal and humorous, with a dark or slightly vulgar undertone. It should only be used with people you know well and who appreciate internet humor. Never use it in a formal setting or with someone who is genuinely concerned about their relationship, as it would be incredibly insensitive.

• Example 1:
  • 孩子长得一点都不像我，我开始怀疑隔壁老王了。
  • Pinyin: Háizi zhǎng de yīdiǎn dōu bù xiàng wǒ, wǒ kāishǐ huáiyí gébì lǎo wáng le.
  • English: The kid doesn't look like me at all. I'm starting to suspect Old Wang from next door.
  • Analysis: This is the classic usage, directly linking a child's appearance to the possibility of infidelity, framed as a joke about the classic archetype.
• Example 2:
  • 我要出差一个月，家里就拜托你了，隔壁老王。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yào chūchāi yī gè yuè, jiālǐ jiù bàituō nǐ le, gébì lǎo wáng.
  • English: I'm going on a business trip for a month. I'll leave the house in your care, Old Wang from next door.
  • Analysis: A self-deprecating joke. The speaker is ironically addressing a friend as “隔壁老王,” implying he trusts him… or perhaps that he's a little worried. It's said between very close friends.
• Example 3:
  • 你老婆对你这么好，又是做饭又是买衣服，不像我家的，天天就知道跟隔壁老王打麻将。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ lǎopó duì nǐ zhème hǎo, yòushì zuòfàn yòushì mǎi yīfú, bù xiàng wǒ jiā de, tiāntiān jiù zhīdào gēn gébì lǎo wáng dǎ májiàng.
  • English: Your wife is so good to you, cooking and buying you clothes. Not like mine, who just plays mahjong with Old Wang next door all day.
  • Analysis: Here, “playing mahjong with 隔壁老王” is a euphemism for cheating or, at the very least, suspiciously spending time with another man.
• Example 4:
  • A: 我的Wi-Fi密码是“woaini520”。(My Wi-Fi password is “iloveyou520”.)
  • B: 隔壁老王连上后肯定很感动。(Old Wang next door will surely be touched when he connects.)
  • Pinyin: A: Wǒ de Wi-Fi mìmǎ shì “woaini520”. B: Gébì lǎo wáng lián shàng hòu kěndìng hěn gǎndòng.
  • English: A: My Wi-Fi password is “iloveyou520”. B: Old Wang next door will surely be touched when he connects.
  • Analysis: A clever internet joke. The friend implies that the neighbor will be using the Wi-Fi and will see the password meant for the wife, interpreting it as a message for him.
• Example 5:
  • 如果你再天天加班不回家，就别怪隔壁老王帮你照顾家庭了。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ zài tiāntiān jiābān bù huíjiā, jiù bié guài gébì lǎo wáng bāng nǐ zhàogù jiātíng le.
  • English: If you keep working overtime and not coming home, don't blame Old Wang next door for helping take care of your family.
  • Analysis: A classic “warning” joke, playing on the theme that the husband's absence creates an opportunity for the rival.
• Example 6:
  • 他最近买了好多顶绿色的帽子，不知道是不是隔壁老王送的。
  • Pinyin: Tā zuìjìn mǎile hǎoduō dǐng lǜsè de màozi, bù zhīdào shì bùshì gébì lǎo wáng sòng de.
  • English: He's bought a lot of green hats recently. I wonder if they were a gift from Old Wang next door.
  • Analysis: This sentence cleverly combines two related concepts. The “green hats” symbolize being cheated on, and “隔壁老王” is the one responsible.
• Example 7:
  • 那个男人是谁？为什么他有我们家的钥匙？他是隔壁老王吗？
  • Pinyin: Nàge nánrén shì shéi? Wèishéme tā yǒu wǒmen jiā de yàoshi? Tā shì gébì lǎo wáng ma?
  • English: Who is that man? Why does he have a key to our house? Is he *the* Old Wang from next door?
  • Analysis: This example shows the term used in a more dramatic, though still likely hypothetical or fictional, context. It shows “隔壁老王” being used as a direct accusation.
• Example 8:
  • 我女朋友说她有个男闺蜜叫老王，我心里咯噔一下。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ nǚpéngyǒu shuō tā yǒu ge nán guīmì jiào Lǎo Wáng, wǒ xīnlǐ gēdēng yīxià.
  • English: My girlfriend said she has a male bestie named Old Wang, and my heart just skipped a beat.
  • Analysis: This example omits “隔壁” (gébì) but the implication is immediate and clear to any native speaker. The simple name “老王” (Lǎo Wáng) in this context is enough to trigger the association.
• Example 9:
  • 别担心，我就是那个隔壁老王。
  • Pinyin: Bié dānxīn, wǒ jiùshì nàge gébì lǎo wáng.
  • English: Don't worry, I *am* that Old Wang from next door.
  • Analysis: A bold, humorous, and flirtatious line someone might use. They are jokingly casting themselves in the role of the charming neighbor/rival.
• Example 10:
  • 每次我看到我儿子，我都会感谢隔壁老王优秀的基因。
  • Pinyin: Měi cì wǒ kàn dào wǒ érzi, wǒ dūhuì gǎnxiè gébì lǎo wáng yōuxiù de jīyīn.
  • English: Every time I look at my son, I thank Old Wang next door for his excellent genes.
  • Analysis: The ultimate self-deprecating joke. The speaker is humorously admitting (or pretending) that his son is not his, and even complimenting his rival.

• Don't Take It Literally: The most common mistake is to think this refers to an actual person. If your neighbor is named Wang, do NOT call him “隔壁老王” unless you are extremely close friends and it's part of an existing inside joke. Otherwise, it is a direct and grave insult, implying he is sleeping with your wife. To refer to him neutrally, you would say `我邻居王先生 (wǒ línjū Wáng xiānsheng)` or `老王 (Lǎo Wáng)` in a friendly but non-suggestive context.
• False Friend: “The Guy Next Door”: In English, “the guy next door” is often a positive archetype—reliable, friendly, and familiar. `隔壁老王` is the exact opposite. He is a symbol of betrayal and suspicion, albeit a humorous one.
• Incorrect Usage:
  • Incorrect: `我的邻居是隔壁老王。` (Wǒ de línjū shì gébì lǎo wáng.)
  • Why it's wrong: This literally means “My neighbor is the archetypal wife-stealer.” It sounds like a strange, direct accusation.
  • Correct (Neutral): `我的邻居姓王。` (Wǒ de línjū xìng Wáng.) - “My neighbor's surname is Wang.”

• 戴绿帽子 (dài lǜ màozi) - “To wear a green hat.” The definitive phrase for being cheated on (as a man). 隔壁老王 is the person who puts the green hat on you.
• 小三 (xiǎo sān) - “Little three.” Refers to a female mistress in an affair. She is the “third person” in the relationship. This is the female counterpart to 隔壁老王.
• 出轨 (chūguǐ) - “To leave the rails.” The standard verb meaning to have an extramarital affair or cheat on a partner.
• 吃醋 (chīcù) - “To eat vinegar.” The common expression for being jealous, especially in a romantic context. Fear of 隔壁老王 makes one 吃醋.
• 老王 (lǎo wáng) - When used in a suggestive context, this is often a shorthand for the full term.
• 邻居 (línjū) - The neutral, literal word for “neighbor.” It's important to know this to avoid misusing the slang term.
• 王宝强 (Wáng Bǎoqiáng) - A famous Chinese actor. His highly public divorce in 2016, where his wife cheated with his agent, made him a real-life symbol of a man “wearing a green hat” and brought massive attention to these slang terms.
• 接盘侠 (jiēpánxiá) - “The plate-catching hero.” A slang term for a man who marries a woman who is pregnant with another man's child, or more broadly, a guy who ends up with someone after they've been “used” by others. It shares a similar theme of romantic misfortune.