{"id":181812,"date":"2020-04-15T15:01:24","date_gmt":"2020-04-15T19:01:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/chinese-poems\/"},"modified":"2025-01-17T01:44:39","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T06:44:39","slug":"chinese-poems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/chinese\/chinese-poems\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Significant Chinese Poems [With Translations, Culture Notes and Vocab]"},"content":{"rendered":"

Poems and other forms of literature<\/a> reveal various perspectives and truths that a typical history textbook may lack. In addition to being a model for teaching language skills<\/a>, poetry often contains references to epics, folktales and stories of historical significance.<\/p>\n

Get started with these Chinese poems, each accompanied by background information and key terms to avoid any confusion with translations.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chinese Poems About Historic Sites<\/h2>\n

\"chinese-style-temple-overlooking-river-against-clear-blue-sky\"<\/a><\/p>\n

1. \u767b\u9e73\u96c0\u697c (D\u0113ng Gu\u00e0n Qu\u00e8 L\u00f3u)<\/em> \u2014 Climbing Stork Tower<\/h3>\n

\u767d\u65e5\u4f9d\u5c71\u5c3d\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u9ec3\u6cb3\u5165\u6d77\u6d41\uff1b<\/strong>
\n\u6b32\u7a77\u5343\u91cc\u76ee\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u66f4\u4e0a\u4e00\u5c42\u697c\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\n

b\u00e1i r\u00ec y\u012b sh\u0101n j\u00ecn,<\/em>
\nhu\u00e1ng h\u00e9 r\u00f9 h\u01cei li\u00fa;<\/em>
\ny\u00f9 qi\u00f3ng qi\u0101n l\u01d0 m\u00f9,<\/em>
\ng\u00e8ng sh\u00e0ng y\u00ec c\u00e9ng l\u00f3u.<\/em><\/p>\n

The sun sets behind the mountains,
\nAnd the Yellow River flows into the sea.
\nTo thoroughly enjoy a thousand-mile sight,
\nClimb up another level.<\/p>\n

About the Poet: <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u738b\u4e4b\u6e19 (Wang Zhihuan<\/a>) was a Tang Dynasty poet best known for penning this poem, which was included in the famous poetry anthology \u5510\u8bd7\u4e09\u767e\u9996<\/strong> (t\u00e1ng sh\u012b s\u0101n b\u01cei sh\u01d2u)<\/em> or “Three Hundred Tang Poems.” Stork Tower<\/a> is three levels tall, located between mountains and the Yellow River in Shanxi province<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Key Terms:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u4f9d<\/strong> (y\u012b)<\/em> \u2014 to go along with<\/p>\n

\u5c3d<\/strong>\u00a0(j\u00ecn)<\/em> \u2014 (v.) to end; to use up; (adv.) to the greatest extent<\/p>\n

\u6b32\u00a0<\/strong>(y\u00f9)<\/em> \u2014 (n.) desire; want; (v.) to wish for; to want<\/p>\n

\u7a77<\/strong>\u00a0(qi\u00f3ng)<\/em> \u2014 (v.) to use up; to exhaust; (adv.) thoroughly; extremely; (adj.) poor; destitute<\/p>\n

\u5343\u91cc<\/strong>\u00a0(qi\u0101n l\u01d0)<\/em> \u2014 a thousand miles; a long distance<\/p>\n

2. \u7ec8\u5357\u5c71 (Zh\u014dng N\u00e1n Sh\u0101n)<\/em> \u2014 The Zhongnan Mountains<\/h3>\n

\u592a\u4e59\u8fd1\u5929\u90fd\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u8fde\u5c71\u5230\u6d77\u9685\u3002
\n\u767d\u4e91\u56de\u671b\u5408\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u9752\u972d\u5165\u770b\u65e0\u3002<\/strong>
\n\u5206\u91ce\u4e2d\u5cf0\u53d8\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u9634\u6674\u4f17\u58d1\u6b8a\u3002<\/strong>
\n\u6b32\u6295\u4eba\u5904\u5bbf\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u9694\u6c34\u95ee\u6a35\u592b\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\n

t\u00e0i y\u01d0 j\u00ecn ti\u0101n d\u016b,<\/em>
\nli\u00e1n sh\u0101n d\u00e0o h\u01cei y\u00fa.<\/em>
\nb\u00e1i y\u00fan hu\u00ed w\u00e0ng h\u00e9,<\/em>
\nq\u012bng \u01cei r\u00f9 k\u00e0n w\u00fa.<\/em>
\nf\u0113n y\u011b zh\u014dng f\u0113ng bi\u00e0n,<\/em>
\ny\u012bn q\u00edng zh\u00f2ng h\u00e8 sh\u016b.<\/em>
\ny\u00f9 t\u00f3u r\u00e9n ch\u00f9 s\u00f9,<\/em>
\ng\u00e9 shu\u01d0 w\u00e8n qi\u00e1o f\u016b.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Taiyi Mountains near the Heavenly Capital
\nConnects to the mountains to the corner of the sea.
\nClouds, when I look back, close behind me,
\nMists, when I enter them, are gone.
\nA central peak divides the two sides of the Mountains,
\nAnd sunny or cloudy alters in many remarkable gullies.
\nNeeding a place to stay the night,
\nI ask the woodcutter over the river.<\/p>\n

About the Poet:<\/strong><\/p>\n

18th-century influential poet \u738b\u7ef4 (Wang Wei<\/a>) 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<\/a>, possibly since before the Qin Dynasty.<\/p>\n

Key Terms<\/strong>:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u592a\u4e59<\/strong>\u00a0(t\u00e0i y\u01d0)<\/em> \u2014 Taiyi Mountains, used interchangeably with \u7ec8\u5357\u5c71 (zh\u014dng n\u00e1n sh\u0101n)<\/em> and \u5468\u5357\u5c71 (z<\/em>h\u014du n\u00e1n sh\u0101n)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u5929\u90fd<\/strong>\u00a0(ti\u0101n d\u016b)<\/em> \u2014 Heavenly Capital<\/p>\n

\u9685<\/strong>\u00a0(y\u00fa)<\/em> \u2014 corner<\/p>\n

\u972d<\/strong>\u00a0(\u01cei)<\/em> \u2014 mist; haze; cloudy sky<\/p>\n

\u6b8a<\/strong> (sh\u016b)<\/em> \u2014 (adj.) different; remarkable; (adv.) really; extremely<\/p>\n

\u6a35\u592b<\/strong>\u00a0(qi\u00e1o f\u016b)<\/em> \u2014 woodman; woodcutter<\/p>\n

Chinese Poems About Love<\/h2>\n

\"closeup-photo-of-white-jasmine-flowers-against-green-leaves\"<\/a><\/p>\n

3. \u5173\u96ce (Gu\u0101n J\u016b)<\/em> \u2014 The Crying Ospreys<\/h3>\n

\u5173\u5173\u96ce\u9e20\uff0c
\n<\/strong>\u5728\u6cb3\u4e4b\u6d32\u3002
\n\u7a88\u7a95\u6dd1\u5973\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u541b\u5b50\u597d\u9011\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\n

gu\u0101n gu\u0101n j\u016b ji\u016b,<\/em>
\nz\u00e0i h\u00e9 zh\u012b zh\u014du.<\/em>
\ny\u01ceo ti\u01ceo sh\u016b n\u01da,<\/em>
\nj\u016bn z\u01d0 h\u01ceo qi\u00fa.<\/em><\/p>\n

“Guan! Guan!” cry the ospreys,
\nOn the islet on the river.
\nElegant and graceful is the lady,
\nA fine match for the gentleman.<\/p>\n

About the Poem:<\/strong><\/p>\n

This Chinese poem comes from \u8bd7\u7ecf<\/strong> (sh\u012b j\u012bng)<\/em> \u2014 The Book of Songs, which dates back to 600 BCE<\/a>. This one is a famous and beloved poem from Southern Zhou, and also includes Chinese animal sounds<\/a> for onomatopoeia.<\/p>\n

Key Terms:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u9e20<\/strong>\u00a0(ji\u016b)<\/em> \u2014 (n.) turtledove; (literary) to gather<\/p>\n

\u4e4b<\/strong>\u00a0(zh\u012b)<\/em> \u2014 possessive particle equivalent to\u00a0\u7684 (de)<\/em>; him; her; it<\/p>\n

\u6dd1\u5973<\/strong>\u00a0(sh\u016b n\u01da)<\/em> \u2014 lady; wise and virtuous woman<\/p>\n

\u541b\u5b50<\/strong>\u00a0(j\u016bn z\u01d0)<\/em> \u2014 gentleman; nobleman<\/p>\n

\u9011<\/strong>\u00a0(qi\u00fa)<\/em> \u2014 mate<\/p>\n

4. \u76f8\u601d (Xi\u0101ng S\u012b<\/em>) \u2014 Lovesickness<\/h3>\n

\u7ea2\u8c46\u751f\u5357\u56fd\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u6625\u6765\u53d1\u51e0\u679d\uff1f<\/strong>
\n\u613f\u541b\u591a\u91c7\u64b7\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u6b64\u7269\u6700\u76f8\u601d\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\n

h\u00f3ng d\u00f2u sh\u0113ng n\u00e1n gu\u00f3,<\/em>
\nqi\u016b l\u00e1i f\u0101 j\u01d0 zh\u012b?
\n<\/em>yu\u00e0n j\u016bn du\u014d c\u01cei xi\u00e9,<\/em>
\nc\u01d0 w\u00f9 zu\u00ec xi\u0101ng s\u012b.<\/em><\/p>\n

Red beans grow in the southern lands,
\nHow many branches fall when spring arrives?
\nMay the gentleman gather many of them
\nThis is what makes him the most lovesick.<\/p>\n

About the Poem:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u738b\u7ef4 (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.<\/p>\n

Key Terms:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u613f<\/strong>\u00a0(yu\u00e0n)<\/em> \u2014 to hope; to desire<\/p>\n

\u91c7<\/strong>\u00a0(c\u01cei)<\/em> \u2014 (n.) collection; (v.) to pick; to extract<\/p>\n

\u64b7<\/strong>\u00a0(xi\u00e9)<\/em> \u2014 to collect; to pluck<\/p>\n

\u6b64<\/strong>\u00a0(c\u01d0)<\/em> \u2014 this; these<\/p>\n

\u76f8\u601d<\/strong>\u00a0(xi\u0101ng s\u012b)<\/em> \u2014 (n.) lovesickness; (v.) to yearn; to pine<\/p>\n

Chinese Poems About Culture<\/h2>\n

\"traditional-red-chinese-decorations\"<\/a><\/p>\n

5. \u4e61\u6101 (Xi\u0101ng Ch\u00f3u)<\/em> \u2014 Nostalgia<\/h3>\n

\u5c0f\u65f6\u5019<\/strong>
\n\u4e61\u6101\u662f\u4e00\u679a\u5c0f\u5c0f\u7684\u90ae\u7968<\/strong>
\n\u6211\u5728\u8fd9\u5934<\/strong>
\n\u6bcd\u4eb2\u5728\u90a3\u5934<\/strong>
\n\u957f\u5927\u540e<\/strong>
\n\u4e61\u6101\u662f\u4e00\u5f20\u7a84\u7a84\u7684\u8239\u7968<\/strong>
\n\u6211\u5728\u8fd9\u5934<\/strong>
\n\u65b0\u5a18\u5728\u90a3\u5934<\/strong>
\n\u540e\u6765\u554a<\/strong>
\n\u4e61\u6101\u662f\u4e00\u65b9\u77ee\u77ee\u7684\u575f\u5893<\/strong>
\n\u6211\u5728\u5916\u5934<\/strong>
\n\u6bcd\u4eb2\u5728\u91cc\u5934<\/strong>
\n\u800c\u73b0\u5728<\/strong>
\n\u4e61\u6101\u662f\u4e00\u6e7e\u6d45\u6d45\u7684\u6d77\u5ce1<\/strong>
\n\u6211\u5728\u8fd9\u5934<\/strong>
\n\u5927\u9646\u5728\u90a3\u5934<\/strong><\/p>\n

xi\u01ceo sh\u00ed hou<\/em>
\nxi\u0101ng ch\u00f3u sh\u00ec y\u012b m\u00e9i xi\u01ceo xi\u01ceo de y\u00f3u pi\u00e0o<\/em>
\nw\u01d2 z\u00e0i zh\u00e8 t\u00f3u<\/em>
\nm\u01d4 q\u012bn z\u00e0i n\u00e0 t\u00f3u<\/em>
\nzh\u01ceng d\u00e0 h\u00f2u<\/em>
\nxi\u0101ng ch\u00f3u sh\u00ec y\u012b zh\u0101ng zh\u01cei zh\u01cei de chu\u00e1n pi\u00e0o<\/em>
\nw\u01d2 z\u00e0i zh\u00e8 t\u00f3u<\/em>
\nx\u012bn ni\u00e1ng z\u00e0i n\u00e0 t\u00f3u<\/em>
\nh\u00f2u l\u00e1i a<\/em>
\nxi\u0101ng ch\u00f3u sh\u00ec y\u012b f\u0101ng \u01cei \u01cei de f\u00e9n m\u00f9<\/em>
\nw\u01d2 z\u00e0i w\u00e0i tou<\/em>
\nm\u01d4 q\u012bn z\u00e0i l\u01d0 tou<\/em>
\n\u00e9r xi\u00e0n z\u00e0i<\/em>
\nxi\u0101ng ch\u00f3u sh\u00ec y\u012b w\u0101n qi\u01cen qi\u01cen de h\u01cei xi\u00e1<\/em>
\nw\u01d2 z\u00e0i zh\u00e8 t\u00f3u<\/em>
\nd\u00e0 l\u00f9 z\u00e0i n\u00e0 t\u00f3u<\/em><\/p>\n

When I was a child,
\nNostalgia was a tiny postage stamp.
\nI, on this side,
\nMy mother, on the other.
\nWhen I was older,
\nNostalgia became a small ship ticket.
\nI, on this side,
\nMy bride, on the other.
\nLater,
\nNostalgia was a shallow grave.
\nI, on the outside,
\nMy mother, on the inside.
\nAnd now,
\nNostalgia is a gulf, a shallow strait.
\nI, on this side,
\nThe mainland, on the other.<\/p>\n

About the Poet:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u4f59\u5149\u4e2d (Yu Guangzhong<\/a>) 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.<\/p>\n

Key Terms:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u4e61\u6101<\/strong>\u00a0(xi\u0101ng ch\u00f3u)<\/em> \u2014 homesickness; nostalgia<\/p>\n

\u679a<\/strong>\u00a0(m\u00e9i)<\/em> \u2014 piece; measure word for coins, rings, badges, satellites, etc.<\/p>\n

\u5934<\/strong>\u00a0(t\u00f3u)<\/em> \u2014 side; head; top; beginning; end; measure word for livestock<\/p>\n

\u7a84<\/strong>\u00a0(zh\u01cei)<\/em> \u2014 narrow; badly off<\/p>\n

\u65b9<\/strong>\u00a0(f\u0101ng)<\/em> \u2014 square; side; place; measure word for square objects<\/p>\n

\u575f\u5893<\/strong>\u00a0(f\u00e9n m\u00f9)<\/em> \u2014 grave; tomb<\/p>\n

\u6d77\u5ce1<\/strong> (h\u01cei xi\u00e1)<\/em> \u2014 channel; strait<\/p>\n

6. \u6843\u592d (T\u00e1o Y\u0101o)<\/em> \u2014 The Peach Tree Tender<\/h3>\n

\u6843\u4e4b\u592d\u592d\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u707c\u707c\u5176\u534e\u3002<\/strong>
\n\u4e4b\u5b50\u4e8e\u5f52\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u5b9c\u5176\u5ba4\u5bb6\u3002<\/strong>
\n\u6843\u4e4b\u592d\u592d\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u6709\u8561\u5176\u5b9e\u3002<\/strong>
\n\u4e4b\u5b50\u4e8e\u5f52\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u5b9c\u5176\u5bb6\u5ba4\u3002<\/strong>
\n\u6843\u4e4b\u592d\u592d\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u5176\u53f6\u84c1\u84c1\u3002<\/strong>
\n\u4e4b\u5b50\u4e8e\u5f52\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u5b9c\u5176\u5bb6\u4eba\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\n

t\u00e1o zh\u012b y\u0101o y\u0101o,<\/em>
\nzhu\u00f3 zhu\u00f3 q\u00ed hu\u00e1.<\/em>
\nzh\u012b z\u01d0 y\u00fa gu\u012b,<\/em>
\ny\u00ed q\u00ed sh\u00ec ji\u0101.<\/em>
\nt\u00e1o zh\u012b y\u0101o y\u0101o,<\/em>
\ny\u01d2u f\u00e9n q\u00ed sh\u00ed.<\/em>
\nzh\u012b z\u01d0 y\u00fa gu\u012b,<\/em>
\ny\u00ed q\u00ed ji\u0101 sh\u00ec.<\/em>
\nt\u00e1o zh\u012b y\u0101o y\u0101o,<\/em>
\nq\u00ed y\u00e8 zh\u0113n zh\u0113n.<\/em>
\nzh\u012b z\u01d0 y\u00fa gu\u012b,<\/em>
\ny\u00ed q\u00ed ji\u0101 r\u00e9n.<\/em><\/p>\n

The peach tree budding and tender,
\nVivid and bright its flowers.
\nThe maiden to be wed
\nIs fitting for the house.
\nThe peach tree budding and tender,
\nIts seedlings abundant indeed.
\nThe maiden to be wed
\nIs fitting for the home.
\nThe peach tree budding and tender,
\nIts leaves luxuriant and lush.
\nThe maiden to be wed
\nIs fitting for the family.<\/p>\n

About the Poem:<\/strong><\/p>\n

This poem is also from the \u8bd7\u7ecf\u00a0<\/em>collection. In Chinese culture, peach trees and the fruits themselves are symbolic of health, longevity, vitality and (in some cases) immortality.<\/p>\n

Key Terms:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u6843\u4e4b\u592d\u592d<\/strong>\u00a0(t\u00e1o zh\u012b y\u0101o y\u0101o)<\/em> \u2014 (idiom) the peach trees are in full blossom<\/p>\n

\u707c<\/strong>\u00a0(zhu\u00f3)<\/em> \u2014 (v.) to burn; to scorch; (adj.) bright; luminous<\/p>\n

\u5f52<\/strong>\u00a0(gu\u012b)<\/em> \u2014 to return; to give back to; to be taken care of; to marry<\/p>\n

\u5ba4\u5bb6<\/strong>\u00a0(sh\u00ec ji\u0101)<\/em> \u2014 house; couple; family; household<\/p>\n

\u8561<\/strong> (f\u00e9n)<\/em> \u2014 (n.) hemp seeds; (adj.) abundant; luxurious<\/p>\n

\u5bb6\u5ba4<\/strong> (ji\u0101 sh\u00ec)<\/em> \u2014 wife; family; residence<\/p>\n

\u84c1<\/strong>\u00a0(zh\u0113n)<\/em> \u2014 abundant; luxuriant<\/p>\n

7. \u8fc7\u6545\u4eba\u5e84 (Gu\u00f2 G\u00f9 R\u00e9n Zhu\u0101ng)<\/em> \u2014 Visiting an Old Friend’s Farmhouse<\/h3>\n

\u6545\u4eba\u5177\u9e21\u9ecd\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u9080\u6211\u81f3\u7530\u5bb6\u3002<\/strong>
\n\u7eff\u6811\u6751\u8fb9\u5408\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u9752\u5c71\u90ed\u5916\u659c\u3002<\/strong>
\n\u5f00\u8f69\u9762\u573a\u5703\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u628a\u9152\u8bdd\u6851\u9ebb\u3002<\/strong>
\n\u5f85\u5230\u91cd\u9633\u65e5\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u8fd8\u6765\u5c31\u83ca\u82b1\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\n

g\u00f9 r\u00e9n j\u00f9 j\u012b sh\u01d4,<\/em>
\ny\u0101o w\u01d2 zh\u00ec ti\u00e1n ji\u0101.<\/em>
\nl\u01dc sh\u00f9 c\u016bn bi\u0101n h\u00e9,<\/em>
\nq\u012bng sh\u0101n gu\u014d w\u00e0i xi\u00e1.<\/em>
\nk\u0101i xu\u0101n mi\u00e0n ch\u01ceng p\u01d4,<\/em>
\nb\u01ce ji\u01d4 hu\u00e0 s\u0101ng m\u00e1.<\/em>
\nd\u00e0i d\u00e0o ch\u00f3ng y\u00e1ng r\u00ec,<\/em>
\nh\u00e1i l\u00e1i ji\u00f9 j\u00fa hu\u0101.<\/em><\/p>\n

An old friend prepares chicken and millet,
\nAnd invites me to his farmhouse.
\nGreen trees surround the entire village,
\nGreen hills stretch beyond the town.
\nOpen the pavilion window facing the courtyard and orchards,
\nRaise our wine glasses, and speak of hemp and mulberry.
\nWe wait until the day of the Double Ninth Festival,
\nTo return here and admire chrysanthemums.<\/p>\n

About the Poem: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Also featured in “Three Hundred Tang Poems,” this piece by \u5b5f\u6d69\u7136 (Meng Haoran<\/a>) references the Double Ninth Festival<\/a>, an ancient Chinese holiday with traditions of drinking chrysanthemum tea.<\/p>\n

Key Terms:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u5177<\/strong> (j\u00f9)<\/em> \u2014 (v.) to have; to provide; (n.) tool; device; measure word for devices, coffins and dead bodies<\/p>\n

\u90ed<\/strong>\u00a0(gu\u014d)<\/em> \u2014 outer city wall<\/p>\n

\u8f69<\/strong>\u00a0(xu\u0101n)<\/em> \u2014 pavilion with windows<\/p>\n

\u5703<\/strong>\u00a0(p\u01d4)<\/em> \u2014 garden; orchard<\/p>\n

\u628a\u9152<\/strong>\u00a0(b\u01ce ji\u01d4)<\/em> \u2014 to raise one’s wine glass<\/p>\n

\u91cd\u9633<\/strong> (ch\u00f3ng y\u00e1ng)<\/em> \u2014 9th day of the 9th lunar month; Double Ninth or Yang Festival<\/p>\n

Chinese Poems About Life<\/h2>\n

\"shot-of-clear-river-with-autumn-trees-lining-the-bank\"<\/a><\/p>\n

8. \u60af\u519c (M\u01d0n N\u00f3ng<\/em>) \u2014 Sympathy for the Peasants<\/h3>\n

\u9504\u79be\u65e5\u5f53\u5348\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u6c57\u6ef4\u79be\u4e0b\u571f\u3002<\/strong>
\n\u8c01\u77e5\u76d8\u4e2d\u9910\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u7c92\u7c92\u7686\u8f9b\u82e6\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\n

ch\u00fa h\u00e9 r\u00ec d\u0101ng w\u01d4,<\/em>
\nh\u00e0n d\u012b h\u00e9 xi\u00e0 t\u01d4.
\n<\/em>shu\u00ed zh\u012b p\u00e1n zh\u014dng c\u0101n,<\/em>
\nl\u00ec l\u00ec ji\u0113 x\u012bn k\u01d4.<\/em><\/p>\n

Cultivating grains at noon,
\nSweat dripping into the earth beneath.
\nWho would have thought the food on your plate,
\neach and every grain, came from hard work?<\/p>\n

About the Poet: <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u674e\u7ec5 (Li Shen<\/a>) was born in 772 AD and lived in the aftermath of the An Lushan Rebellion<\/a>\u2014the 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.<\/p>\n

Key Terms:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u9504<\/strong>\u00a0(ch\u00fa)<\/em> \u2014 (n.) hoe; (v.) to hoe; to weed<\/p>\n

\u8c01\u77e5<\/strong>\u00a0(shu\u00ed zh\u012b)<\/em> \u2014 who would have thought; unexpectedly; (lit.) who knows<\/p>\n

\u76d8\u4e2d\u9910<\/strong>\u00a0(p\u00e1n zh\u014dng c\u0101n)<\/em> \u2014 food on a plate<\/p>\n

\u7c92<\/strong>\u00a0(l\u00ec)<\/em> \u2014 grain; granule; measure word for small round things<\/p>\n

\u7686<\/strong>\u00a0(ji\u0113)<\/em> \u2014 each and every; all<\/p>\n

9. \u9898\u897f\u6797\u58c1 (T\u00ed X\u012b L\u00edn B\u00ec<\/em>) \u2014 Written on the Wall of the West Woods Temple<\/h3>\n

\u6a2a\u770b\u6210\u5cad\u4fa7\u6210\u5cf0\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u8fdc\u8fd1\u9ad8\u4f4e\u5404\u4e0d\u540c\u3002<\/strong>
\n\u4e0d\u8bc6\u5e90\u5c71\u771f\u9762\u76ee\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u53ea\u7f18\u8eab\u5728\u6b64\u5c71\u4e2d\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\n

h\u00e9ng k\u00e0n ch\u00e9ng l\u01d0ng c\u00e8 ch\u00e9ng f\u0113ng,<\/em>
\nyu\u01cen j\u00ecn g\u0101o d\u012b g\u00e8 b\u00f9 t\u00f3ng.<\/em>
\nb\u00f9 sh\u00ed l\u00fa sh\u0101n zh\u0113n mi\u00e0n m\u00f9,<\/em>
\nzh\u01d0 yu\u00e1n sh\u0113n z\u00e0i c\u01d0 sh\u0101n zh\u014dng.<\/em><\/p>\n

A mountain range in panorama becomes a peak from the side,
\nFar, near, high and low, with no two alike.
\nI do not know the true face of Lushan Mountain,
\nOnly because I myself am in the mountain.<\/p>\n

About the Poet: <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u82cf\u8f7c (Su Shi<\/a>) 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.<\/p>\n

Key Terms:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u5cad<\/strong>\u00a0(l\u01d0ng)<\/em> \u2014 mountain range<\/p>\n

\u4fa7<\/strong> (c\u00e8)<\/em> \u2014 (n.) side; (v.) to incline toward; to lean; (adj.) lateral<\/p>\n

\u6210<\/strong>\u00a0(ch\u00e9ng)<\/em> \u2014 (v.) to become; to complete; (adj.) capable<\/p>\n

\u4e0d\u8bc6\u5e90\u5c71\u771f\u9762\u76ee<\/strong>\u00a0(b\u00f9 sh\u00ed l\u00fa sh\u0101n zh\u0113n mi\u00e0n m\u00f9)<\/em> \u2014 (fig.) can’t see the forest for the trees; (lit.) not to know the true face of Lushan Mountain<\/p>\n

\u7f18<\/strong>\u00a0(yu\u00e1n)<\/em> \u2014 cause; reason; karma; fate<\/p>\n

10. \u67ab\u6865\u591c\u6cca (F\u0113ng Qi\u00e1o Y\u00e8 B\u00f3)<\/em> \u2014 Night Mooring at Maple Bridge<\/h3>\n

\u6708\u843d\u4e4c\u557c\u971c\u6ee1\u5929\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u6c5f\u67ab\u6e14\u706b\u5bf9\u6101\u7720\u3002
\n\u59d1\u82cf\u57ce\u5916\u5bd2\u5c71\u5bfa\uff0c<\/strong>
\n\u591c\u534a\u949f\u58f0\u5230\u5ba2\u8239\u3002<\/strong><\/p>\n

yu\u00e8 lu\u00f2 w\u016b t\u00ed shu\u0101ng m\u01cen ti\u0101n,<\/em>
\nji\u0101ng f\u0113ng y\u00fa hu\u01d2 du\u00ec ch\u00f3u mi\u00e1n.<\/em>
\ng\u016b s\u016b ch\u00e9ng w\u00e0i h\u00e1n sh\u0101n s\u00ec,<\/em>
\ny\u00e8 b\u00e0n zh\u014dng sh\u0113ng d\u00e0o k\u00e8 chu\u00e1n.<\/em><\/p>\n

The moon sets and crows caw as frost fills the atmosphere
\nUnder the riverside maple trees, the fisherman’s light disrupts my sleep.
\nOutside Gusu City is Hanshan Temple,
\nAt midnight, the sound of bells reaches the ferry.<\/p>\n

About the Poet:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u5f20\u7ee7 (Zhang Ji<\/a>) 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.<\/p>\n

Key Terms:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u557c<\/strong>\u00a0(t\u00ed)<\/em> \u2014 to cry; to crow; to hoot<\/p>\n

\u6ee1\u5929<\/strong>\u00a0(m\u01cen ti\u0101n)<\/em> \u2014 whole sky<\/p>\n

\u7720<\/strong>\u00a0(mi\u00e1n)<\/em> \u2014 to sleep; to hibernate<\/p>\n

\u59d1\u82cf\u57ce<\/strong>\u00a0(g\u016b s\u016b ch\u00e9ng)<\/em> \u2014 <\/em>Gusu City, now Suzhou (\u82cf\u5dde) City<\/p>\n

\u5bd2\u5c71\u5bfa <\/strong>(h\u00e1n sh\u0101n s\u00ec)<\/em> \u2014 Hanshan Temple; Cold Mountain Temple<\/p>\n

Tips for Studying Poems on Your Own<\/h2>\n