I recently read the word “同乡” (i.e. person who lives in the same village as you). I'm trying to figure out if it is something that people say. Could I say 在飞机上我竟然认识一位同乡？
If not, how is it used today? (If at all)
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1同乡 is not a commonly used phrase. In spoken Chinese, it's more usually to use 老乡.– biubiubiuCommented Dec 22, 2014 at 9:32
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It is 老乡 to refer to the person? 他是我的老乡？– StephenCommented Dec 22, 2014 at 9:36
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2 Answers
同乡 is common in formal language. In spoken language, 老乡 is the preferred word especially in Northern China and it is an informal word. People from Southern China may choose 乡亲 or 乡里. (Reference on this regional difference: wikipedia)
Colloquial:
On the airplane I met someone who came from the same hometown. 在飞机上我遇见一个老乡/乡里/乡亲。
Formal:
There is a Shanxi Townsmen Association in Beijing. 在北京有个山西同乡会。
Because it's the name of an association, which should be formal, 同乡 is used.
同乡 in oral Chinese is not as commonly used as 老乡. As they're all mean people from same area. (Most means hometown)
In written Chinese, 同乡 is still used.
同乡 is also used in a phrase 同乡会, like 福建同乡会, which means a organization of people from a same place.
