Chinese word

晚年

Pronunciation

Pinyinwǎn nián

Meaning

  • nounlater years

Example

很多人担心他们的晚年生活。hěn duō rén dān xīn tā men de wǎn nián shēng huó

Many people worry about life in their later years.

Illustration for 晚年 (later years)

More examples

他希望能在晚年安度时光，与子女相伴。tā xī wàng néng zài wǎn nián ān dù shí guāng yǔ zí nǚ xiāng bàn

He hopes to spend his later years peacefully with his children.

Core concept

The back section of a life story, where growing older brings its own practical needs and plans.

Common phrases

  • 安度晚年ān dù wǎn nián

    spend one's later years peacefully

  • 步入晚年bù rù wǎn nián

    enter one's later years

  • 晚年生活wǎn nián shēng huó

    life in one's later years

Similar words

老年lǎo nián: The stage of life associated with being elderly.
余生yú shēng: The remaining time in a person's life.

Definition in Chinese

人年纪较大、步入人生后段时的时期，常与退休、健康照护和生活安排相关。rén nián jì jiào dà bù rù rén shēng hòu duàn shí de shí qī cháng yǔ tuì xiū jiàn kāng zhào hù hé shēng huó ān pái xiāng guān

Word origin

晚 (wǎn, "late") + 年 (nián, "year") literally points to the years at the late end of life and gives the word its time-based meaning.

Usage tips

  • The word is neutral and can describe a person's later life without suggesting poor health, dependence, or a negative outcome.

Other meanings

  • old agenoun

Opposites

  • 壮年zhuàng niánprime of lifenoun

Word lists with this word