Basic Info
- Chinese Idiom: 安居乐业 (Ān jū lè yè)
- Pinyin: ān jū lè yè
- Literal meaning: “To live in peace and enjoy one’s work/profession.”
(安 = peaceful / stable; 居 = to live / reside; 乐 = to enjoy / be happy; 业 = work / occupation / enterprise)
Figurative Definition
It describes an ideal state of society where people live comfortably and securely, and take joy in their daily work and livelihoods. It implies that citizens have stable homes, are free from anxiety about basic survival, and find satisfaction in their professions.
In short: to live a peaceful, secure life and work happily – the classic picture of a prosperous, harmonious society.
Cultural & Historical Origin
This idiom draws from two foundational Chinese texts:
- Dao De Jing (《道德经》) by Laozi(老子):
甘其食，美其服，安其居，乐其俗。
They savor their food, find beauty in their clothes, feel secure in their homes, and delight in their customs.
Laozi painted a utopian vision of a simple, peaceful agrarian society where people were content with their basic lives and did not crave more.
- Book of the Later Han (《后汉书·仲长统传》):
普天之下……安居乐业，长养子孙，天下晏然，皆归心于我矣。
Under heaven… they live in peace and enjoy their work, raise their children and grandchildren, and the world is tranquil – all hearts turn to me.
Here, the idiom evolved into a political ideal: the ultimate measure of good governance is a stable, happy populace that can live and work in peace.
Key Lesson
A good society is built on security and meaningful work. The idiom reminds us that peace is not just the absence of war – it is the presence of stable homes, dignified livelihoods, and the freedom to enjoy life. For leaders, it sets a high standard: governing well means creating conditions where people can flourish without fear.
Cultural Note
In modern Chinese, “安居乐业” is a highly positive and aspirational idiom. It is frequently used by governments, urban planners, and community leaders to describe the goal of social policy – providing affordable housing, stable employment, and a good quality of life.
It often appears in slogans, official speeches, and news reports about improving living standards. Its opposites are 颠沛流离 (diān pèi liú lí – wandering in hardship), 流离失所 (liú lí shī suǒ – displaced and homeless), and 民不聊生 (mín bù liáo shēng – the people have no means to live).
Similar English Expressions
- To live in peace and prosperity – The closest direct equivalent.
- To live a secure and contented life – Emphasizing stability and happiness.
- Peace and prosperity – A common political and social ideal.
- To have a stable home and a good job – A modern, practical phrasing.
- Domestic tranquility and contentment – A formal, descriptive phrase.
- To live and work in peace and contentment – The most literal and accurate translation.
- The good life – A broader, more informal equivalent (focuses on personal happiness rather than social stability).
The closest and most natural equivalents are “to live and work in peace and contentment” or “to live in peace and prosperity.”
In short, “安居乐业” means living in peace and enjoying one’s work – a timeless Chinese ideal of a stable, happy society where people are secure in their homes and fulfilled in their livelihoods.
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