im Ruhestand
/ɪm ˈʁuːəˌʃtant/word by word
The German way to say retired is im Ruhestand.
In German, im Ruhestand is used as an adverbial phrase to describe a person's status, rather than being a direct adjective like the English 'retired'.
Meaning: having left employment (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase im Ruhestand literally means "in [the] rest state / in retirement".
Which one should you use?
While im Ruhestand sein describes the state of being retired, in Rente gehen is the common verbal phrase used to describe the act of retiring.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɪm ˈʁuːəˌʃtant/
Did you know?
- If a retired person finds themselves busier than ever with hobbies or travel, they might ironically call their life an Unruhestand.
- The word Ruhe in Ruhestand is the same word used in the common command Ruhe!, meaning 'Silence!'
- German speakers may use different terms depending on whether the person was a civil servant or a private employee, as their types of 'rest' are legally distinct.
Examples in context
- Tom ist im Ruhestand.Tom's retired.This example shows how to state that someone is retired using im Ruhestand.Tatoeba #6615282 by Felixjp, translation #2107583 by CK
- Sind Sie im Ruhestand?Are you retired?This example shows how to ask someone if they are retired using im Ruhestand.Tatoeba #8101750 by Luiaard, translation #6091171 by CK
- Ich bin auch im Ruhestand.I'm retired, too.This example shows how to say that you are also retired using im Ruhestand.Tatoeba #4974771 by Dunameitor1, translation #4401036 by CK
- Mein Vater ist Rentner.My father is retired.
- Meine Großmutter ist eine Rentnerin.My grandmother is a retired woman.
- Herr Müller ist ein Pensionär.Mr. Müller is a retired man.
- Die Pensionärin reist gerne um die Welt.The retired woman likes to travel the world.
- Mein Onkel ist im Ruhestand.My uncle is retired.
- Frau Schmidt plant, bald in den Ruhestand zu gehen.Mrs. Schmidt plans to retire soon.
- Der Onkel meines Freundes ist ein Ruhestandsbeamter.My friend's uncle is a retired government official.
- Meine Tante war eine Ruhestandsbeamtin.My aunt used to be a retired government official.
- Mein Vater scheidet bald aus dem Berufsleben aus.My father will retire from professional life soon.
- Es wird Zeit für sie, aus dem Berufsleben auszuscheiden.It's time for her to retire from professional life.
- 40 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two former colleagues are meeting for coffee.
- HannahGenießt du das Leben im Ruhestand?Are you enjoying life in retirement?
- FelixJa, ich bin jetzt im Ruhestand.Yes, I am in retirement now.
- HannahDas freut mich für dich, Felix.I am happy for you, Felix.
- FelixDanke, Hannah, es ist sehr entspannend.Thanks, Hannah, it is very relaxing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “retired” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (im, Ruhestand) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
