Meaning and Usage
The term 养老 (yǎnglǎo) primarily refers to the care and support of elderly people, especially in the context of retirement and old age. It can mean both the act of providing for the elderly and the broader social or governmental systems designed to support them.
Common Contexts
- Personal retirement planning: discussing how one will live or be cared for after retiring.
- Social policy: government or institutional measures to support the elderly population.
- Facilities: places like nursing homes or retirement communities where elderly care is provided.
Collocations and Patterns
- 养老问题 (yǎnglǎo wèntí): retirement or elderly care issues, often discussed in social or economic contexts.
- 养老院 (yǎnglǎoyuàn): nursing home, a common place for elderly care.
- 养老保险 (yǎnglǎo bǎoxiǎn): pension or retirement insurance, a financial product or policy.
Usage Notes
When using 养老, it often implies a responsibility or system for supporting older adults, not just the biological act of raising children (which 养 alone can mean). It is commonly used in formal or semi-formal contexts, such as news reports, policy discussions, or family planning conversations.
Avoid confusing 养老 with 养老鼠 (raising mice) or other literal animal raising contexts; 养老 specifically relates to old age care.