# 含饴弄孙

hán yí nòng sūn

Enjoy a peaceful old age with grandchildren

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Hold sweets and play with grandchildren

**Traditional Chinese:** 含飴弄孫

**Register:** Formal · literary

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Describe affectionate retirement and family enjoyment.

Assumes grandchildren; not every retirement takes this form.

## Understanding the expression

Sweets and play create a gentle domestic image rather than a scene of public achievement. The expression describes an older person enjoying time with grandchildren after years of work and responsibility. It is affectionate and often appears in retirement wishes. It does not require literally eating candy, nor does it define the only satisfying form of old age. The central feeling is leisure, family affection, and freedom from constant demands.

## Examples

退休后，他含饴弄孙。

### Traditional Chinese

退休後，他含飴弄孫。

tuì xiū hòu ， tā hán yí nòng sūn 。

After retirement, he enjoyed time with his grandchildren.

她盼着回乡含饴弄孙。

### Traditional Chinese

她盼著回鄉含飴弄孫。

tā pàn zhe huí xiāng hán yí nòng sūn 。

She looked forward to returning home and enjoying her grandchildren.

爷爷含饴弄孙，笑声不断。

### Traditional Chinese

爺爺含飴弄孫，笑聲不斷。

yé ye hán yí nòng sūn ， xiào shēng bú duàn 。

Grandpa happily played with the grandchildren amid constant laughter.

他每逢周末便含饴弄孙。

### Traditional Chinese

他每逢週末便含飴弄孫。

tā měi féng zhōu mò biàn hán yí nòng sūn 。

Every weekend, he enjoyed affectionate time with his grandchildren.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%90%AB%E9%A3%B4%E5%BC%84%E5%AD%AB)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=797&webMd=1&la=0)

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