Random Poem
- Poetry of Wang Wei

《杂诗》

- Last updated: 2024-05-10 21:28:16

中文原文

Simplified Chinese Version

君自故乡来，应知故乡事。

来日绮窗前，寒梅著花未？

Traditional Chinese Version

君自故鄉來，應知故鄉事。

來日綺窗前，寒梅著花未。

English Translation

You who have come from my old country,

Tell me what has happened there ! --

Was the plum, when you passed my silken window,

Opening its first cold blossom?

Five-character-quatrain

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