Chinese word

养老院

Pronunciation

Pinyinyǎng lǎo yuàn

Meaning

nounnursing home

Example

下个周末我要去养老院看望外公。xià gè zhōu mò wǒ yào qù yáng lǎo yuàn kàn wàng wài gōng

Next weekend, I will visit my grandfather at the nursing home.

More examples

许多老人更愿意在家而不是去养老院度过晚年。xǔ duō lǎo rén gèng yuàn yì zài jiā ér bú shì qù yáng lǎo yuàn dù guò wǎn nián

Many older people would rather spend their later years at home than go to a nursing home.

Core concept

A residential place where older adults receive daily care and basic medical support.

Common phrases

入住养老院rù zhù yáng lǎo yuàn
move into a nursing home
养老院护理yáng lǎo yuàn hù lǐ
nursing home care
长期居住在养老院cháng qī jū zhù zài yáng lǎo yuàn
live long-term in a nursing home

Similar words

养老机构yáng lǎo jī gòu: A general term for facilities and organizations offering eldercare and living support.
敬老院jìng lǎo yuàn: A home for older adults that provides care with everyday activities.
老年公寓lǎo nián gōng yù: A service-supported apartment building designed for older adults who live independently.
护理院hù lǐ yuàn: A care facility for people who need medical nursing or professional long-term care.

Definition in Chinese

为老年人提供长期或短期居住、生活照料和基本医疗护理的机构。wèi lǎo nián rén tí gōng cháng qī huò duǎn qī jū zhù shēng huó zhào liào hé jī běn yī liáo hù lǐ de jī gòu

Word origin

养 (yǎng, "care for") + 老 (lǎo, "old age") + 院 (yuàn, "institution") form a compact name for an institution that cares for people in old age.

Usage tips

In everyday conversation, the surrounding verb matters: a phrase meaning "go to" often describes a visit, while a phrase meaning "move into" makes residence clear.

Other meanings

eldercare facilitynoun

Opposites

居家养老jū jiā yáng lǎohome-based eldercarenoun
独立生活dú lì shēng huóindependent livingnoun

Related words

养老保险yáng láo báo xiǎnpension insurancenoun
养老服务yáng lǎo fú wùeldercare servicesnoun