Schönen Ruhestand
/ˈʃøːnən ˈʁuːəˌʃtant/word by word
Schönen Ruhestand is the German way to say happy retirement.
This phrase is used to wish someone a pleasant and fulfilling life after they stop working. It is typically used when someone is officially entering the retirement phase of their life, often at a farewell party or in a card.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of schönen (beautiful/nice), Ruhe (rest/peace) and Stand (state/position/standing).
Which one should you use?
A common alternative way to express this sentiment is Alles Gute für den Ruhestand, which means all the best for retirement.
How does it change in a sentence?
Schönen Ruhestand uses the accusative case because it is a shortened version of Ich wünsche dir einen schönen Ruhestand (I wish you a happy retirement). If you use the phrase as a subject or a nominative noun phrase rather than a direct object of a wish, the ending of schön changes to schöner.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃøːnən ˈʁuːəˌʃtant/
Did you know?
- If a retiree finds themselves busier than ever, they might jokingly call their new life an Unruhestand. This term literally translates to a 'state of unrest' or 'no rest'.
- In Germany, the word you use for retirement can depend entirely on your former job. A former civil servant undergoes a Pensionierung, whereas a private employee enters a Ruhestand.
- In German, the word Ruhe in Ruhestand can mean both 'rest' and 'silence'. This suggests that retirement is not just a break from labor but a peaceful withdrawal from the noise of the professional world.
Examples in context
- Schönen Ruhestand wünsche ich dir!I wish you a happy retirement!
- Alles Gute und einen schönen Ruhestand.All the best and a happy retirement.
Example conversation
At a small office party for a departing colleague.
- HannahMaximilian, alles Gute und einen schönen Ruhestand!Maximilian, all the best and a happy retirement!
- MaximilianVielen Dank, Hannah, das ist sehr lieb.Thank you very much, Hannah, that is very kind.
- HannahDu wirst uns hier sehr fehlen.You will be missed here a lot.
- MaximilianDanke, ich werde euch auch vermissen.Thanks, I will miss you all too.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (schönen, Ruhestand) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Ruhestand, CC BY-SA 4.0.
