Occasions

8 Peaceful Chinese Idioms for Retirement Wishes

Thoughtful Chinese idioms for retirement, wishing happiness, leisure, and well-deserved rest.

Retirement marks the beginning of a well-deserved period of rest and enjoyment. These peaceful idioms wish retirees happiness and fulfillment.

敬业乐群

jìng yè lè qún

Balance excellence with social harmony

Literal meaning: Respect work enjoy community

This balanced approach advocates respecting (敬) one's profession (业) while enjoying (乐) community (群), first appearing in Confucian educational texts during the Han Dynasty. It emerged from Confucius's teaching that ideal scholars should be both diligent in their studies and harmonious in relationsh...

Example

The new employee demonstrated dedication to her role while building strong team relationships

新员工表现出对工作的敬业精神，同时与团队建立了良好的关系

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大器晚成

dà qì wǎn chéng

Excellence develops with time

Literal meaning: Great talents mature late

This encouraging idiom suggests that significant talents or capacities (大器) often develop or succeed (成) late (晚). It originated during the Eastern Han Dynasty, appearing in the biography of statesman Yang Chen. After declining several official appointments, Yang explained that fine wood requires lo...

Example

The writer published his masterpiece in his sixties after decades of developing his craft

这位作家在六十多岁时出版了他的代表作，此前已经花了几十年磨练自己的技艺

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知足常乐

zhī zú cháng lè

Contentment with what one has brings happiness

Literal meaning: Know enough constant happiness

Laozi's profound insight in the 'Dao De Jing' teaches that knowing contentment (知足) leads to lasting happiness (常乐). The concept resonated deeply with both Daoist and Buddhist traditions, each recognizing how mental recognition of 'enough' creates more joy than endless acquisition. Tang Dynasty writ...

Example

Despite modest circumstances, the family found contentment in simple pleasures and each other's company

尽管条件简朴，这家人从简单的乐趣和彼此的陪伴中找到了满足

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安步当车

ān bù dāng chē

Choose simpler pleasures over status displays

Literal meaning: Peaceful walking substitutes carriage

This idiom originated from the 'Eastern Han Records' biography of Cui Yuan, an official who declined the emperor's gift of a carriage, preferring to walk and appreciate nature's beauty. During the Tang Dynasty, it became emblematic of the scholarly ideal of finding joy in simplicity. The contrast be...

Example

Rather than rushing between appointments, she chose to walk and enjoy the scenery

她没有匆忙赶往约会，而是选择步行，欣赏沿途风景

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安居乐业

ān jū lè yè

Live peacefully and work happily

Literal meaning: Peaceful dwelling happy occupation

This idiom originated from Han Dynasty governmental ideals in the 'Book of Han,' first appearing as an administrative goal representing balanced prosperity. During the Tang Dynasty, it became standard terminology in policy documents measuring governance success. The pairing of peaceful dwelling (安居)...

Example

After years of turmoil, the region finally achieved stability where families could live securely and pursue livelihoods

经过多年的动荡，该地区终于实现了稳定，家庭可以安全生活并追求生计

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安然无恙

ān rán wú yàng

Completely safe and unharmed through danger

Literal meaning: Peaceful without illness

This idiom originated from the 'Records of the Three Kingdoms' describing survivors of catastrophe. The term '恙' originally referred specifically to plague or epidemic disease before broadening to general harm. During the Jin Dynasty, it became shorthand in military reporting for troops surviving da...

Example

Despite the severe typhoon, all villagers were safely evacuated and accounted for

尽管遭遇强台风，所有村民都安全疏散并得到妥善安置

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安如泰山

ān rú tài shān

Absolutely stable and unshakable

Literal meaning: Stable like Mount Tai

This idiom originated from Han Dynasty political discourse about dynastic security, first appearing in imperial edicts describing the desired permanence of imperial rule. During the Tang Dynasty, it extended beyond political contexts to describe any unshakable entity. The comparison of being stable ...

Example

Even during the financial crisis, the company's position remained rock-solid

即使在金融危机期间，公司的地位依然安如泰山

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乐于助人

lè yú zhù rén

Find genuine pleasure in helping others

Literal meaning: Happy to help people

This phrase originated from Confucian ethical teachings in the Analects compiled around 500 BCE. The concept appears in Confucius' discussions of different motivations for virtuous action, with internal happiness representing the highest form. During the Han Dynasty, it became central to official as...

Example

The volunteer spent weekends helping elderly neighbors with home repairs

这位志愿者利用周末帮助年长邻居修缮房屋

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