Huan Xi Sha
- Poetry of Qin Guan

《浣溪沙·漠漠轻寒》

- Last updated: 2024-04-12 14:36:35

中文原文

漠漠轻寒上小楼，晓阴无赖似穷秋，淡烟流水画屏幽。　

自在飞花轻似梦，无边丝雨细如愁，宝帘闲挂小银钩。

English Translation

Ascending the small pavilion in the light chill mist,

Clouds at daybreak, like a weary autumn day;

A pale haze and dark winding stream painted on screens.

Falling petals, leisurely, carefree, as in a dream;

The endless rain, sad as my grief at parting;

While pearl curtains hang idle on silver hooks.

By Qin Guan

Why Chinese poems is so special?: The most distinctive features of Chinese poetry are: concision- many poems are only four lines, and few are much longer than eight; ambiguity- number, tense and parts of speech are often undetermined, creating particularly rich interpretative possibilities; and structure- most poems follow quite strict formal patterns which have beauty in themselves as well as highlighting meaningful contrasts.

How to read a Chinese poem?: Like an English poem, but more so. Everything is there for a reason, so try to find that reason. Think about all the possible connotations, and be aware of the different possibilities of number and tense. Look for contrasts: within lines, between the lines of each couplet and between successive couplets. Above all, don't worry about what the poet meant- find your meaning.

List of Chinese poets