養兒待老，積谷防饑

Idiom: 養兒待老，積谷防饑

Pronunciation: Yǎng ér dài lǎo, jī gǔ fáng jī

Basic Meaning: Raise children to support you in old age, and save grains to prevent famine

Detailed Explanation: This idiom emphasizes the importance of long-term planning and preparation for the future. It suggests that one should raise children with the hope that they will take care of their parents in old age, and also save enough resources to prevent hunger during difficult times.

Usage Scenarios: This idiom is often used to remind people of the need to plan for the future and be prepared for unforeseen circumstances. It can be used in various contexts, such as family planning, financial management, and disaster preparedness.

Story Origin: This idiom originates from ancient China, where the agricultural society heavily relied on the harvest for survival. The phrase reflects the wisdom of the older generation, who understood the importance of family support and resource conservation.

Structure of the Idiom: This idiom consists of two parts: "養兒待老" (raise children to support you in old age) and "積谷防饑" (save grains to prevent famine). Both parts convey the idea of long-term planning and preparation.

Example Sentences:

1. 他一直堅持養兒待老，現在孩子們都很孝順。

Translation: He has always believed in raising children to support him in old age, and now his children are very filial.

2. 我們應該學會積谷防饑，以應對突發的困難。

Translation: We should learn to save grains to prevent famine in order to cope with unexpected difficulties.

Memory Techniques: To remember this idiom, you can associate "養兒待老" with the image of an elderly person being cared for by their children, and "積谷防饑" with the image of grain storage to prevent hunger. Creating visual associations can help enhance memory retention.

Extended Learning: To further understand the importance of long-term planning and preparation, you can explore related topics such as retirement planning, emergency preparedness, and sustainable resource management.

Example Sentences from Students of Different Age Groups:

1. Primary School Student: 我希望將來能夠養兒待老，照顧爸爸媽媽。

Translation: I hope to raise children in the future to support and take care of my parents.

2. Middle School Student: 學習好是為了將來能夠積谷防饑，生活得更好。

Translation: Studying hard is to save grains for the future and live a better life.

3. High School Student: 我們應該培養自己的技能，以養兒待老，并為未來的挑戰做好準備。

Translation: We should develop our skills to raise children to support us in old age and be prepared for future challenges.