tiān天heavenlylún伦bondszhī之oflè乐joy
The joy of family bonds.
Literal meaning
heavenly (天) — bonds (伦) — of (之) — joy (乐)
Origin
A classical phrase from Tang-era writing. 天伦 originally referred to the natural Confucian bonds — parent-child, sibling-sibling — which are seen as the most fundamental human relationships. The compressed phrase has been used since to describe the contentment of family life.
Examples
Tuì退xiū休yǐ以hòu后，tā他xiǎng享shòu受tiān天lún伦zhī之lè乐。
After retirement, he enjoys the simple joy of family.
Hé和hái孩zi子zài在yì一qǐ起，shì是zuì最dà大de的tiān天lún伦zhī之lè乐。
Time with one's children — the deepest family joy.
Usage & nuances
Warm, sincere register. Most often used about parents-with-children moments, especially of older parents and adult kids.
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