静夜思 (“Thoughts in the Silent Night”, by Li Bai )
床前明月光，
疑是地上霜。
举头望明月，
低头思故乡。
TRANSLATION
Moonlight reflects off the front of my bed.
Could it actually be the frost on the ground?
I look up to view the bright moon,
And look down to reminisce about my hometown.
About: This popular Chinese poem was penned by one of the most famous
Tang dynasty poets of all time – Li Bai (701-762). The poem expresses the
poet’s loneliness, pensiveness, and homesickness as he gazes up at the
bright moon.
悯农 (“Toiling Farmers”, by Li Shen)
《》
锄禾日当午，
汗滴禾下土。
谁知盘中餐，
粒粒皆辛苦。
TRANSLATION
Farmers weeding at noon,
Sweat down the field soon.
Who knows food on a tray
Thanks to their toiling day?
About: A common Chinese nursery rhyme still popular today, “Toiling
Farmers” depicts the hard work and life of a Chinese farmer. Written by Tang
Dynasty poet Li Shen, the poem emphasises how hard each farmers work for
every grain of rice, and serves as a gentle reminder for children not to waste
their food.
咏鹅 (“An Ode to the Goose”, by Luo Binwang)
鹅、鹅、鹅，
曲项向天歌。
白毛浮绿水，
红掌拨清波
TRANSLATION
Goose, goose, goose,
You bend your neck towards the sky and sing.
Your white feathers float on the emerald water,
Your red feet push the clear waves.
About: Written by Tang Dynasty poet Luo Binwang when he was only seven
years old, “An Ode to the Goose” is a particularly simple and easy to
memorize poem, resulting in it often being one of the very first famous
Chinese poems to be learned by Chinese children.
Chinese Farewell Poems
Saying goodbye is never easy. Scroll on to discover our team’s pick of
Chinese farewell poems.
送杜少府之任蜀州, 王勃 (“Farewell To Vice-Prefect Du Setting Out For His
Official Post In Shu”, by Wang Bo)
城阙辅三秦，
风烟望五津。
与君离别意，
同是宦游人。
海内存知己，
天涯若比邻。
无为在岐路，
儿女共沾巾。
TRANSLATION
By this wall that surrounds the three Qin districts,
Through a mist that makes five rivers one,
We bid each other a sad farewell,
We two officials going opposite ways….
And yet, while China holds our friendship,
And heaven remains our neighbourhood,
Why should you linger at the fork of the road,
Wiping your eyes like a heart-broken child?
About: Written by Wang Bo when his friend Du was set to leave and take the
position of country official in Si Chuan. Wang Bo saw off Du and presented
him with this farewell poem that represents the sincerity and profoundness
of their friendship.
送友人, 李白 (“Farewell to A Friend”, by Li Bai)
青山橫北郭 , 白水遶東城
此地一為別, 孤蓬萬里征
浮雲遊子意, 落日故人情
揮手自茲去, 蕭簫斑馬鳴
TRANSLATION
Green hills skirt the northern border,
White waters gird the eastern town;
Here we part with each other,
And you set out like a lonesome wisp of grass,
Floating across the miles, farther and farther away.
You’ve longed to travel like roaming clouds,
But our friendship, unwilling to wane as the sun is to set,
Let it be here to stay.
As we wave each other good-bye,
Our horses neigh, as if for us they sigh.
About: Li Bai’s friend longs to travel like ‘roaming clouds’. This Chinese
farewell poem uses beautiful metaphors to express the deep connection Li
Bai and his friend share through their friendship.
送别, 王维 (“Farewell”, by Wang Wei)
下马饮君酒
问君何所之
君言不得意
归卧南山垂
但去莫复问
白云无尽时
TRANSLATION
Dismounted, we drank to bid you farewell.
I asked, “My friend, where are you heading?”
You said, “Oh, nothing is working my way,
So be back to the crags of Nanshan, retiring.”
“Go then! You’ll ask of the world no more!
Ah, days of endless white clouds, unending!”
About:Wang Wei’s friend is feeling dejected and rather than keeping him
from leaving he is encouraging him to leave and get some rest, they have
drinks to solidify him leaving.
无言独上西楼, 李煜 (“I Climb the Western Tower in Silence”, by Li Yu)
无言独上西楼
月如钩
寂寞梧桐深院
锁清秋
剪不断
理还乱
是离愁
别是一般滋味
在心头
TRANSLATION
Wordless, alone, to the West Tower I climb the stair;
The Moon, like a curved sword, hangs there.
Held captive in the deep courtyard and its lonesome phoenix tree,
Is the cool, pure Autumn breeze.
Cut it, it doesn’t sever;
Sort it, as entangled as ever —
It is a great sorrow to part,
Creating an entirely different feeling in my heart
Notes: Although the first stanza doesn’t openly talk about farewells, the
description of the view from the West Tower provides imagery for us to
believe so. The desolate courtyard and the lonesome phoenix tree could
possibly symbolize Li Yu’s feelings about parting. Describing that although
they are parting they are still as connected as ever.
赠别, 杜牧 (“On Parting”, by Du Mu)
多情却似总无情
维觉罇前笑不成
蜡烛有心还惜别
替人垂泪到天明
TRANSLATION
Fond are my feelings, yet unfeeling I feign,
Before our wine-cups, we merry-make in vain.
So heartful, the candle, our parting it grieves,
And in tears it melts, till the sky lights again.
About: Although it can’t be confirmed, instead of parting with a friend, Du
Mu is parting with a now ex-lover. Saying that even though their love was
deep it diminished into nothing, they can’t even fake a friendly smile so the
candle weeps for them. This powerful poem expresses the pain in ending a
special connection with someone you loved.
Chinese Poems About Love
Many of us often struggling to find the words to express how we feel. So why
not borrow from one of these famous Chinese poems about love instead?
江城子, 苏轼 (“Song of River City”, by Su Shi)
十年生死两茫茫，不思量，自难忘。
千里孤坟，无处话凄凉。
纵使相逢应不识，尘满面，鬓如霜。
夜来幽梦忽还乡，小轩窗，正梳妆。
相顾无言，惟有泪千行。
料得年年肠断处，明月夜，短松冈。
TRANSLATION
Ten years, dead and living dim and draw apart.
I don’t try to remember,
But forgetting is hard.
Lonely grave a thousand miles off,
Cold thoughts, where can I talk them out?
Even if we met, you wouldn’t know me,
Dust on my face,
Hair like frost.
In a dream last night suddenly I was home.
By the window of the little room,
You were combing your hair and making up.
You turned and looked, not speaking,
Only lines of tears coursing down.
Year after year will it break my heart?
The moonlit grave,
The stubby pines.
About:This Chinese poem about love was written by Su Shi around 1075 and
is about a dream he once had about his wife, Wang Fu, who he married in
1054 but unfortunately died just 11 years later. He loved and missed his wife
so much that he composed this poem to express his feelings and longing for
her.
上邪 (“God!”, by Unknown)
我欲与君相知，
长命无绝衰。
山无陵，
江水为竭，
冬雷震震，
夏雨雪 ，
天地合，
乃敢与君绝！
TRANSLATION
I want to be your love forever and ever,
Without break or decay.
When the hills are all flat,
The rivers are all dry.
When it thunders in winter,
When it snows in summer
When heaven and earth mingle,
Not till then will I part from you.
About: While the author of this poem is a mystery, what is known is that it
comes from the era of Yuefu folk poems during the Han Dynasty. The poet
takes an oath pledging that even if the whole world were to be destroyed
and the unthinkable were to happen, she would still love him. This poem is a
sweet confession from a woman to her lover.
蝶恋花, 刘墉 (“Butterflies in Love with Flowers”, by Liu Yong)
伫倚危楼风细细，
望极春愁，
黯黯生天际。
草色烟光残照里，
无言谁会凭栏意。
拟把疏狂图一醉，
对酒当歌，
强乐还无味。
衣带渐宽终不悔，
为伊消得人憔悴。
TRANSLATION
While I lean against the banister of a tall tower,
The breeze gently blows.
As I look into the distance,
The end of Spring arouses melancholy in my mind.
Surrounded by dewy grass at sunset,
I wonder who is able to understand my longing.
I would rather drink to intoxication.
One should sing when one has wine in hand,
But drinking to escape offers no reprieve.
I do not mind that my clothes are getting looser.
My lover is worthy of desire.
About: The poet longs for her lover so deeply that she neglects herself in a
land that she isn’t familiar with. Successfully portraying that the poet’s love
for her partner is so strong that she can only think about him.
点绛唇-蹴罢秋千, 李清照 (“Rouge Lips · She Jumps Off the Swing”, by Li
Qingzhao)
蹴罢秋千，起来慵整纤纤手。
露浓花瘦，薄汗轻衣透。
见客入来，袜刬金钗溜。
和羞走，倚门回首，却把青梅嗅。
TRANSLATION
She jumps off the swing, lazily stretching her slender hands.
The dew is heavy on the thin flower branch, a light sweat seeps through her
shirt.
Seeing a guest, she runs away in her socks, her golden hair pin slipping off.
She leaves in embarrassment, yet pauses at the door to look back, and sniffs
the green plums.
About: This straightforward poem was written during the Song Dynasty
(960-1279) by Li Qingzhao, one of the best-known female writers in Chinese
history. Though only fragments of her works survived, she wrote prolifically
during her lifetime, usually depicting the lives of girls and women in their
boudoirs.
卜算子, 李之儀 (“Song of Divination”, by Li Zhi Yi)
我住长江头，
君住长江尾。
日日思君不见君，
共饮长江水。
此水几时休，
此恨何时已。
只愿君心似我心，
定不负相思意。
TRANSLATION
I live upstream and you downstream,
From night to night of you I dream.
Unlike the stream you are not in view,
Though both we drink from River Blue.
When will the river no more flow？
When will my grief no more grow？
I wish your heart will be like mine，
Then not in vain for you I pine.
About: “Song of Divination” talks about separation between lovers and
lovesickness, expressed by using the Yangtze river to show the distance
between them.
Chinese Poems About Historic Sites
1. 登鹳雀楼 (Dēng Guàn Què Lóu) — Climbing Stork Tower
白日依山尽，
黃河入海流；
欲穷千里目，
更上一层楼。
bái rì yī shān jìn,
huáng hé rù hǎi liú;
yù qióng qiān lǐ mù,
gèng shàng yì céng lóu.
The sun sets behind the mountains,
And the Yellow River flows into the sea.
To thoroughly enjoy a thousand-mile sight,
Climb up another level.
About the Poet:
王之渙 (Wang Zhihuan) was a Tang Dynasty poet best known for penning this poem,
which was included in the famous poetry anthology 唐诗三百首 (táng shī sān bǎi
shǒu) or “Three Hundred Tang Poems.” Stork Tower is three levels tall, located
between mountains and the Yellow River in Shanxi province.
Key Terms:
依 (yī) — to go along with
尽 (jìn) — (v.) to end; to use up; (adv.) to the greatest extent
欲 (yù) — (n.) desire; want; (v.) to wish for; to want
穷 (qióng) — (v.) to use up; to exhaust; (adv.) thoroughly; extremely; (adj.) poor;
destitute
千里 (qiān lǐ) — a thousand miles; a long distance
2. 终南山 (Zhōng Nán Shān) — The Zhongnan Mountains
太乙近天都，
连山到海隅。
白云回望合，
青霭入看无。
分野中峰变，
阴晴众壑殊。
欲投人处宿，
隔水问樵夫。
tài yǐ jìn tiān dū,
lián shān dào hǎi yú.
bái yún huí wàng hé,
qīng ǎi rù kàn wú.
fēn yě zhōng fēng biàn,
yīn qíng zhòng hè shū.
yù tóu rén chù sù,
gé shuǐ wèn qiáo fū.
The Taiyi Mountains near the Heavenly Capital
Connects to the mountains to the corner of the sea.
Clouds, when I look back, close behind me,
Mists, when I enter them, are gone.
A central peak divides the two sides of the Mountains,
And sunny or cloudy alters in many remarkable gullies.
Needing a place to stay the night,
I ask the woodcutter over the river.
About the Poet:
18th-century influential poet 王维 (Wang Wei) wrote this poem about the Zhongnan
mountains. Located south of Xi’an in Shaanxi Province, the Zhongnan mountains
are historically known as a dwelling for Taoist hermits, possibly since before the
Qin Dynasty.
Key Terms:
太乙 (tài yǐ) — Taiyi Mountains, used interchangeably with 终南山 (zhōng nán shān)
and 周南山 (zhōu nán shān)
天都 (tiān dū) — Heavenly Capital
隅 (yú) — corner
霭 (ǎi) — mist; haze; cloudy sky
殊 (shū) — (adj.) different; remarkable; (adv.) really; extremely
樵夫 (qiáo fū) — woodman; woodcutter
Chinese Poems About Love
3. 关雎 (Guān Jū) — The Crying Ospreys
关关雎鸠，
在河之洲。
窈窕淑女，
君子好逑。
guān guān jū jiū,
zài hé zhī zhōu.
yǎo tiǎo shū nǚ,
jūn zǐ hǎo qiú.
“Guan! Guan!” cry the ospreys,
On the islet on the river.
Elegant and graceful is the lady,
A fine match for the gentleman.
About the Poem:
This Chinese poem comes from 诗经 (shī jīng) — The Book of Songs, which dates
back to 600 BCE. This one is a famous and beloved poem from Southern Zhou, and
also includes Chinese animal sounds for onomatopoeia.
Key Terms:
鸠 (jiū) — (n.) turtledove; (literary) to gather
之 (zhī) — possessive particle equivalent to 的 (de); him; her; it
淑女 (shū nǚ) — lady; wise and virtuous woman
君子 (jūn zǐ) — gentleman; nobleman
逑 (qiú) — mate
4. 相思 (Xiāng Sī) — Lovesickness
红豆生南国，
春来发几枝？
愿君多采撷，
此物最相思。
hóng dòu shēng nán guó,
qiū lái fā jǐ zhī?
yuàn jūn duō cǎi xié,
cǐ wù zuì xiāng sī.
Red beans grow in the southern lands,
How many branches fall when spring arrives?
May the gentleman gather many of them
This is what makes him the most lovesick.
About the Poem:
王维 (Wang Wei) also penned this poem about one of China’s ancient symbols of
love. Red beans (known as adzuki beans in other countries) represent yearning for
love and fidelity. The original story tells of a woman waiting for her husband to
return from war. She gets sick and dies from thinking about him too much. From
her grave grows a red bean tree, pointing in her husband’s direction.
Key Terms:
愿 (yuàn) — to hope; to desire
采 (cǎi) — (n.) collection; (v.) to pick; to extract
撷 (xié) — to collect; to pluck
此 (cǐ) — this; these
相思 (xiāng sī) — (n.) lovesickness; (v.) to yearn; to pine
Chinese Poems About Culture
5. 乡愁 (Xiāng Chóu) — Nostalgia
小时候
乡愁是一枚小小的邮票
我在这头
母亲在那头
长大后
乡愁是一张窄窄的船票
我在这头
新娘在那头
后来啊
乡愁是一方矮矮的坟墓
我在外头
母亲在里头
而现在
乡愁是一湾浅浅的海峡
我在这头
大陆在那头
xiǎo shí hou
xiāng chóu shì yī méi xiǎo xiǎo de yóu piào
wǒ zài zhè tóu
mǔ qīn zài nà tóu
zhǎng dà hòu
xiāng chóu shì yī zhāng zhǎi zhǎi de chuán piào
wǒ zài zhè tóu
xīn niáng zài nà tóu
hòu lái a
xiāng chóu shì yī fāng ǎi ǎi de fén mù
wǒ zài wài tou
mǔ qīn zài lǐ tou
ér xiàn zài
xiāng chóu shì yī wān qiǎn qiǎn de hǎi xiá
wǒ zài zhè tóu
dà lù zài nà tóu
When I was a child,
Nostalgia was a tiny postage stamp.
I, on this side,
My mother, on the other.
When I was older,
Nostalgia became a small ship ticket.
I, on this side,
My bride, on the other.
Later,
Nostalgia was a shallow grave.
I, on the outside,
My mother, on the inside.
And now,
Nostalgia is a gulf, a shallow strait.
I, on this side,
The mainland, on the other.
About the Poet:
余光中 (Yu Guangzhong) passed away in 2017. A contemporary Taiwanese poet, he
was best known for this piece which highlighted the displacement and longing for
cultural unity between the mainland and the Chinese diaspora.
Key Terms:
乡愁 (xiāng chóu) — homesickness; nostalgia
枚 (méi) — piece; measure word for coins, rings, badges, satellites, etc.
头 (tóu) — side; head; top; beginning; end; measure word for livestock
窄 (zhǎi) — narrow; badly off
方 (fāng) — square; side; place; measure word for square objects
坟墓 (fén mù) — grave; tomb
海峡 (hǎi xiá) — channel; strait
6. 桃夭 (Táo Yāo) — The Peach Tree Tender
桃之夭夭，
灼灼其华。
之子于归，
宜其室家。
桃之夭夭，
有蕡其实。
之子于归，
宜其家室。
桃之夭夭，
其叶蓁蓁。
之子于归，
宜其家人。
táo zhī yāo yāo,
zhuó zhuó qí huá.
zhī zǐ yú guī,
yí qí shì jiā.
táo zhī yāo yāo,
yǒu fén qí shí.
zhī zǐ yú guī,
yí qí jiā shì.
táo zhī yāo yāo,
qí yè zhēn zhēn.
zhī zǐ yú guī,
yí qí jiā rén.
The peach tree budding and tender,
Vivid and bright its flowers.
The maiden to be wed
Is fitting for the house.
The peach tree budding and tender,
Its seedlings abundant indeed.
The maiden to be wed
Is fitting for the home.
The peach tree budding and tender,
Its leaves luxuriant and lush.
The maiden to be wed
Is fitting for the family.
About the Poem:
This poem is also from the 诗经 collection. In Chinese culture, peach trees and the
fruits themselves are symbolic of health, longevity, vitality and (in some cases)
immortality.
Key Terms:
桃之夭夭 (táo zhī yāo yāo) — (idiom) the peach trees are in full blossom
灼 (zhuó) — (v.) to burn; to scorch; (adj.) bright; luminous
归 (guī) — to return; to give back to; to be taken care of; to marry
室家 (shì jiā) — house; couple; family; household
蕡 (fén) — (n.) hemp seeds; (adj.) abundant; luxurious
家室 (jiā shì) — wife; family; residence
蓁 (zhēn) — abundant; luxuriant
7. 过故人庄 (Guò Gù Rén Zhuāng) — Visiting an Old Friend’s Farmhouse
故人具鸡黍，
邀我至田家。
绿树村边合，
青山郭外斜。
开轩面场圃，
把酒话桑麻。
待到重阳日，
还来就菊花。
gù rén jù jī shǔ,
yāo wǒ zhì tián jiā.
lǜ shù cūn biān hé,
qīng shān guō wài xiá.
kāi xuān miàn chǎng pǔ,
bǎ jiǔ huà sāng má.
dài dào chóng yáng rì,
hái lái jiù jú huā.
An old friend prepares chicken and millet,
And invites me to his farmhouse.
Green trees surround the entire village,
Green hills stretch beyond the town.
Open the pavilion window facing the courtyard and orchards,
Raise our wine glasses, and speak of hemp and mulberry.
We wait until the day of the Double Ninth Festival,
To return here and admire chrysanthemums.
About the Poem:
Also featured in “Three Hundred Tang Poems,” this piece by 孟浩然 (Meng Haoran)
references the Double Ninth Festival, an ancient Chinese holiday with traditions of
drinking chrysanthemum tea.
Key Terms:
具 (jù) — (v.) to have; to provide; (n.) tool; device; measure word for devices, coffins
and dead bodies
郭 (guō) — outer city wall
轩 (xuān) — pavilion with windows
圃 (pǔ) — garden; orchard
把酒 (bǎ jiǔ) — to raise one’s wine glass
重阳 (chóng yáng) — 9th day of the 9th lunar month; Double Ninth or Yang Festival
Chinese Poems About Life
8. 悯农 (Mǐn Nóng) — Sympathy for the Peasants
锄禾日当午，
汗滴禾下土。
谁知盘中餐，
粒粒皆辛苦。
chú hé rì dāng wǔ,
hàn dī hé xià tǔ.
shuí zhī pán zhōng cān,
lì lì jiē xīn kǔ.
Cultivating grains at noon,
Sweat dripping into the earth beneath.
Who would have thought the food on your plate,
each and every grain, came from hard work?
About the Poet:
李绅 (Li Shen) was born in 772 AD and lived in the aftermath of the An Lushan
Rebellion—the devastating uprising against the Tang Dynasty. The countryside
continued to suffer from the damage and unrest, which ended up becoming the
central theme of Li’s poems. This one, in particular, was heard across the country.
Key Terms:
锄 (chú) — (n.) hoe; (v.) to hoe; to weed
谁知 (shuí zhī) — who would have thought; unexpectedly; (lit.) who knows
盘中餐 (pán zhōng cān) — food on a plate
粒 (lì) — grain; granule; measure word for small round things
皆 (jiē) — each and every; all
9. 题西林壁 (Tí Xī Lín Bì) — Written on the Wall of the West Woods Temple
横看成岭侧成峰，
远近高低各不同。
不识庐山真面目，
只缘身在此山中。
héng kàn chéng lǐng cè chéng fēng,
yuǎn jìn gāo dī gè bù tóng.
bù shí lú shān zhēn miàn mù,
zhǐ yuán shēn zài cǐ shān zhōng.
A mountain range in panorama becomes a peak from the side,
Far, near, high and low, with no two alike.
I do not know the true face of Lushan Mountain,
Only because I myself am in the mountain.
About the Poet:
苏轼 (Su Shi) was a jack-of-all-trades back in the Song Dynasty. After visiting the
mountains, he wrote this poem with the intention of reminding readers to not be
blinded by personal prejudices to see things as they are.
Key Terms:
岭 (lǐng) — mountain range
侧 (cè) — (n.) side; (v.) to incline toward; to lean; (adj.) lateral
成 (chéng) — (v.) to become; to complete; (adj.) capable
不识庐山真面目 (bù shí lú shān zhēn miàn mù) — (fig.) can’t see the forest for the trees;
(lit.) not to know the true face of Lushan Mountain
缘 (yuán) — cause; reason; karma; fate
10. 枫桥夜泊 (Fēng Qiáo Yè Bó) — Night Mooring at Maple Bridge
月落乌啼霜满天，
江枫渔火对愁眠。
姑苏城外寒山寺，
夜半钟声到客船。
yuè luò wū tí shuāng mǎn tiān,
jiāng fēng yú huǒ duì chóu mián.
gū sū chéng wài hán shān sì,
yè bàn zhōng shēng dào kè chuán.
The moon sets and crows caw as frost fills the atmosphere
Under the riverside maple trees, the fisherman’s light disrupts my sleep.
Outside Gusu City is Hanshan Temple,
At midnight, the sound of bells reaches the ferry.
About the Poet:
张继 (Zhang Ji) was a Tang Dynasty poet who shared his experience of passing
through Gusu City (now known as Suzhou City), fighting his homesickness and
loneliness by describing the sights and sounds.
Key Terms:
啼 (tí) — to cry; to crow; to hoot
满天 (mǎn tiān) — whole sky
眠 (mián) — to sleep; to hibernate
姑苏城 (gū sū chéng) — Gusu City, now Suzhou ( 苏州 ) City
寒山寺 (hán shān sì) — Hanshan Temple; Cold Mountain Temple
Tips for Studying Poems on Your Own
Start with the classics. Classic poems (in any language) have been studied and
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history, culture and language. They’re also the most likely to have existing
English translations, in case you need references.
Learn about the poets. Knowing which dynasty or historical period they’re
from, their context and any other details can offer additional insight on the
poem in question.
Do a literal translation of every character. Figure out the division of words
and phrases (if any). From there, you can determine what definitions work best
in the given context. For any unknown characters, try to identify the
components before looking it up to improve your reading skills.
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A Visit to Qiantang Lake in Spring
Bai Juyi
钱唐湖春行
孤山寺北贾亭西
水面初平云脚低
几处早莺争暖树
谁家新燕啄春泥
乱花渐欲迷人眼
浅草才能没马蹄
最爱湖东行不足
绿杨阴里白沙堤
qián táng hú chūn xíng
gū shān sì běi jiǎ tíng xī
shuǐ miàn chū píng yún jiǎo dī
jǐ chù zǎo yīng zhēng nuǎn shù
shuí jiā xīn yàn zhuó chūn ní
luàn huā jiàn yù mí rén yǎn
qiǎn cǎo cái néng mò mǎ tí
zuì ài hú dōng xíng bù zú
lǜ yáng yīn lǐ bái shā dī
Gushan temple north Jiating west
Water surface first flat cloud base low
Several places early orioles fight warm tree
Every house new swallows peck spring mud
Disordered flowers gradually almost confuse person eye
Light grass able hide horse hoof
Most love lake east go not enough
Green poplar shade in white sand causeway
Gushan Temple is to the north, Jiating pavilion west,
The water's surface now is calm, the bottom of the clouds low.
In several places, the first orioles are fighting in warm trees,
By every house new swallows peck at spring mud.
Disordered flowers have grown almost enough to confuse the eye,
Bright grass is able now to hide the hooves of horses.
I most love the east of the lake, I cannot come often enough
Within the shade of green poplars on White Sand Embankment.
Feelings on Watching the Moon
Bai Juyi
自河南经乱关内阻饥兄弟离散各在一处…
符离及下邽弟妹
时难年饥世业空
弟兄羁旅各西东
田园寥落干戈后
骨肉流离道路中
吊影分为千里雁
辞根散作九秋蓬
共看明月应垂泪
一夜乡心五处同
zì hé nán jīng luàn guān nèi zǔ jī xiōng dì lí sǎn gè zài yī chù…
fú lí jí xià guī dì mèi
shí nán nián jī shì yè kōng
dì xiōng jī lǚ gè xī dōng
tián yuán liáo luò gān gē hòu
gú ròu liú lí dào lù zhōng
diào yǐng fēn wéi qiān lǐ yàn
cí gēn sǎn zuò jiǔ qiū péng
gòng kàn míng yuè yìng chuí lèi
yī yè xiāng xīn wǔ chù tóng
Time hard year famine life land empty
Brothers live abroad each east west
Fields gardens few fall shield spear after
Bone flesh flow apart road road on
Hang shadow separate like 10,000 li goose
Leave root apart rise 9 autumn dishevelled
Together look bright moon should fall tear
One night home heart 5 place alike
The times are hard: a year of famine has emptied the fields,
My brothers live abroad- scattered west and east.
Now fields and gardens are scarcely seen after the fighting,
Family members wander, scattered on the road.
Attached to shadows, like geese ten thousand li apart,
Or roots uplifted into September's autumn air.
We look together at the bright moon, and then the tears should fall,
This night, our wish for home can make five places one.
Grass
Bai Juyi
Part part plain on grass
The grass is spreading out across the plain,
One year one wither flourish
Each year, it dies, then flourishes again.
Prairie fire burn not destroy
It's burnt but not destroyed by prairie fires,
Spring wind blow again life
When spring winds blow they bring it back to life.
Distant fragrance invade old path
Afar, its scent invades the ancient road,
Clear emerald meet ruined town
Its emerald green overruns the ruined town.
Again see off noble friend go
Again I see my noble friend depart,
Crowded full parting feeling
I find I'm crowded full of parting's feelings.
An Invitation to Mr Liu
Bai Juyi
Green ant new unstrained beer
Green lees of beer that's newly brewed,
Red clay small fire stove
A little stove of red clay burns.
Evening come sky almost snow
As evening comes, the sky's about to snow,
Can drink one cup not?
Can you drink one cup with me?
Night Snow
Bai Juyi
I was surprised my quilt and pillow were
Already surprised quilt pillow cold
cold,
Again see window bright
I see that now the window's bright again.
Night deep know snow heavy
Deep in the night, I know the snow is thick,
Occasionally hear snap bamboo
I sometimes hear the sound as bamboo
sound
snaps.
Peach Blossom at Dalin Temple
Bai Juyi
Person between fourth month Across the world this June, the petals all have
fragrant fragrant end fallen,
Mountain temple peach blossom But the mountain temple's peach blossom has
begin bloom out just begun to bloom.
Great regret spring go not find trace I regretted so much that spring had gone
Not know change over this here without a trace,
come I didn't know that it had only moved up here.
Reading Laozi
Bai Juyi
读老子
言者不如知者默
此语吾闻于老君
若道老君是知者
缘何自著五千文
dú lǎo zi
yán zhě bù zhī zhī zhě mò
cǐ yǔ wú wén yú lǎo jūn
ruò dào lǎo jūn shì zhī zhě
yuán hé zì ruò wǔ qiān wén
Speak person not know know person silent
This saying I hear from old gentleman
If Way old gentleman be know person
Reason what confident five thousand characters
Those who speak do not know, those who know are silent,
I heard this saying from the old gentleman.
If the old gentleman was one who knew the way,
Why did he feel able to write five thousand words?
Regret for Peony Flowers
Bai Juyi
Melancholy steps before red
I'm saddened by the peonies before the steps,
peonies
so red,
Evening come only be two
As evening came I found that only two remained.
branches remain
Once morning's winds have blown, they surely
Bright morning wind start cope
won't survive,
blow exhaust
At night I gaze by lamplight, to cherish the fading
Night regret decline red hold fire
red.
look
Remembering South of the River
Bai Juyi
South of the river is good,
South river good
Long ago, I knew the landscape well.
Landscape old once know well
At sunrise, the river's flowers are red like
Sunrise river flower red bear fire
fire,
Spring come river water green like
In spring, the river's water's green as lilies.
lily
How could I not remember south of the
Can not remember river south
river?
Returning Late on the Road from Pingquan on a
Winter's Day
Bai Juyi
Mountain road hard travel sun The mountain road is hard to travel, the sun now
become slant slanting down,
Mist village frost tree about to
In a misty village, a crow lands on a frosted tree.
perch crow
I'll not arrive before night falls, but that should not
Night return not arrive should be
concern me,
unimportant
Once I've drunk three warm cups, I'll feel as if at
Warm drink three cups reach be
home.
come
Sleeping on a Night of Autumn Rain
Bai Juyi
It's cold this night in autumn's third month,
Cold cold 3rd autumn night
Peacefully within, a lone old man.
Peaceful leisure one old man
He lies down late, the lamp already gone out,
Lie late lamp go out after
And beautifully sleeps amid the sound of rain.
Sleep beautiful rain sound in
The ash inside the vessel still warm from the fire,
Ash long warm bottle fire
Its fragrance increases the warmth of quilt and
Fragrance increase warm quilt
covers.
cover
When dawn comes, clear and cold, he does not
Sawn clear cold not rise
rise,
Frost leaf full level red
The red frosted leaves cover the steps.
Song of Sunset on the River
Bai Juyi
暮江吟
一道残阳铺水中
半江瑟瑟半江红
可怜九月初三夜
露似真珠月似弓
mù jiāng yín
yí dào cán yáng pū shuǐ zhōng
bàn jiāng sè sè bàn jiāng hóng
kě lían jiǔ yuè chū sān yè
lù sì zhēn zhū yuè sì gōng
A length setting sun spread water in
Half river emerald half river red
Love ninth month first three night
Dew like pearl moon like bow
A strip of water's spread in the setting sun,
Half the river's emerald, half is red.
I love the third night of the ninth month,
The dew is like pearl; the moon like a bow.
