Explore the beauty of ancient Chinese poetry with CNPedia’s new collection: 50 Illustrated Quotes by Li Qingzhao. Known as one of China’s greatest poets from the Song Dynasty, her heartfelt words about love, loss, and courage now come alive in English and Chinese. Each quote is paired with colorful image, easy-to-read translations, and clear explanations to help you understand her timeless messages. Whether you’re learning Chinese classics, studying poetry, or just love art, CNPedia makes it simple to connect with her work. Dive into famous lines like “Seeking, searching, lost and lonely” and discover why her poetry still moves people today—all in one bilingual, visually stunning guide.
1. “寻寻觅觅，冷冷清清，凄凄惨惨戚戚。”
Pinyin: Xún xún mì mì, lěng lěng qīng qīng, qī qī cǎn cǎn qī qī.
Translation: “Seeking, seeking, searching, searching; cold, cold, desolate, desolate; sorrowful, sorrowful, mournful, mournful.”
Source: Slow, Slow Tune · Seeking, Seeking (《声声慢·寻寻觅觅》, Shēng Shēng Màn · Xún Xún Mì Mì)
Explanation: Uses repetitive phrasing to intensify a mood of solitude; a hallmark of classical Chinese literary style.
2. “此情无计可消除，才下眉头，却上心头。”
Pinyin: Cǐ qíng wú jì kě xiāo chú, cái xià méi tóu, què shàng xīn tóu.
Translation: “This sorrow cannot be erased—it fades from my brow only to rise again in my heart.”
Source: One Cut Plum Blossom · Red Lotus Fragrance Fades (《一剪梅·红藕香残玉簟秋》, Yī Jiǎn Méi · Hóng Ǒu Xiāng Cán Yù Diàn Qiū)
Explanation: A timeless expression of lingering love, widely quoted in romantic poetry.
3. “生当作人杰，死亦为鬼雄。”
Pinyin: Shēng dāng zuò rén jié, sǐ yì wéi guǐ xióng.
Translation: “In life, strive to be a hero among men; in death, rise as a champion among ghosts.”
Source: Summer Quatrain (《夏日绝句》, Xià Rì Jué Jù)
Explanation: A rallying cry for integrity and ambition, often cited in motivational contexts.
4. “花自飘零水自流，一种相思，两处闲愁。”
Pinyin: Huā zì piāo líng shuǐ zì liú, yī zhǒng xiāng sī, liǎng chù xián chóu.
Translation: “Flowers drift, water flows—one shared longing, two distant sorrows.”
5. “莫道不销魂，帘卷西风，人比黄花瘦。”
Pinyin: Mò dào bù xiāo hún, lián juǎn xī fēng, rén bǐ huáng huā shòu.
Translation: “Do not say my soul remains unshaken—the west wind lifts the curtain, revealing me thinner than chrysanthemums.”
6. “物是人非事事休，欲语泪先流。”
Pinyin: Wù shì rén fēi shì shì xiū, yù yǔ lèi xiān liú.
Translation: “All remains, yet nothing is the same—before words come, tears fall.”
7. “只恐双溪舴艋舟，载不动许多愁。”
Pinyin: Zhǐ kǒng shuāng xī zé měng zhōu, zài bù dòng xǔ duō chóu.
Translation: “I fear the tiny boat on Twin Creek cannot bear the weight of my sorrow.”
8. “和羞走，倚门回首，却把青梅嗅。”
Pinyin: Hài xiū zǒu, yǐ mén huí shǒu, què bǎ qīng méi xiù.
Translation: “Blushing, I flee—leaning by the door, I turn to steal a scent of green plums.”
9. “醉里插花花莫笑，可怜春似人将老。”
Pinyin: Zuì lǐ chā huā huā mò xiào, kě lián chūn sì rén jiāng lǎo.
Translation: “Drunk, I arrange flowers—do not laugh at them; pity spring, like me, grows old.”
10. “千古风流八咏楼，江山留与后人愁。”
Pinyin: Qiān gǔ fēng liú bā yǒng lóu, jiāng shān liú yǔ hòu rén chóu.
Translation: “The timeless Eight Songs Tower stands—its legacy, a landscape of future sorrows.”
11. “知否，知否？应是绿肥红瘦。”
Pinyin: Zhī fǒu, zhī fǒu? Yīng shì lǜ féi hóng shòu.
Translation: “Do you know? Do you know? The green thrives, the red withers.”
12. “新来瘦，非干病酒，不是悲秋。”
Pinyin: Xīn lái shòu, fēi gān bìng jiǔ, bú shì bēi qiū.
Translation: “Newly thin—not from wine nor autumn’s grief, but from longing.”
13. “旧时天气旧时衣，只有情怀不似旧家时。”
Pinyin: Jiù shí tiān qì jiù shí yī, zhǐ yǒu qíng huái bú sì jiù jiā shí.
Translation: “The weather and robes of old remain—only my heart is no longer the same.”
14. “梧桐更兼细雨，到黄昏、点点滴滴。”
Pinyin: Wú tóng gèng jiān xì yǔ, dào huáng hūn, diǎn diǎn dī dī.
Translation: “Phoenix trees, fine rain—dusk arrives drop by drop.”
15. “三杯两盏淡酒，怎敌他、晚来风急？”
Pinyin: Sān bēi liǎng zhǎn dàn jiǔ, zěn dí tā, wǎn lái fēng jí?
Translation: “Three cups of weak wine—how can they withstand the evening’s fierce wind?”
16. “东篱把酒黄昏后，有暗香盈袖。”
Pinyin: Dōng lí bǎ jiǔ huáng hūn hòu, yǒu àn xiāng yíng xiù.
Translation: “By the eastern fence, wine in hand at dusk—a hidden fragrance fills my sleeves.”
17. “不如向、帘儿底下，听人笑语。”
Pinyin: Bù rú xiàng, lián ér dǐ xià, tīng rén xiào yǔ.
Translation: “Better to hide behind the curtain, listening to others’ laughter.”
18. “这次第，怎一个愁字了得！”
Pinyin: Zhè cì dì, zěn yī gè chóu zì liǎo dé!
Translation: “In this moment—how can the word ‘sorrow’ suffice?”
Source: Slow, Slow Tune · Seeking, Seeking (《声声慢·寻寻觅觅》, Shēng Shēng Màn · Xún Xún Mì Mì)
Explanation: A climactic declaration of ineffable grief; powerful in dramatic contexts.
19. “九万里风鹏正举。”
Pinyin: Jiǔ wàn lǐ fēng péng zhèng jǔ.
Translation: “The roc soars ninety thousand miles, borne by the wind.”
20. “念武陵人远，烟锁秦楼。”
Pinyin: Niàn wǔ líng rén yuǎn, yān suǒ qín lóu.
Translation: “Longing for one lost in distant Wuling—mist veils the Qin Tower.”
21. “春到长门春草青，江梅些子破，未开匀。”
Pinyin: Chūn dào cháng mén chūn cǎo qīng, jiāng méi xiē zǐ pò, wèi kāi yún.
Translation: “Spring greens the Changmen grass; river plums bud unevenly, yet to bloom.”
22. “寒日萧萧上琐窗，梧桐应恨夜来霜。”
Pinyin: Hán rì xiāo xiāo shàng suǒ chuāng, wú tóng yīng hèn yè lái shuāng.
Translation: “Pale sun climbs latticed windows; phoenix trees resent the night’s frost.”
23. “酒阑更喜团茶苦，梦断偏宜瑞脑香。”
Pinyin: Jiǔ lán gèng xǐ tuán chá kǔ, mèng duàn piān yí ruì nǎo xiāng.
Translation: “After wine, bitter tea comforts; broken dreams suit incense’s fragrance.”
24. “秋已尽，日犹长，仲宣怀远更凄凉。”
Pinyin: Qiū yǐ jìn, rì yóu cháng, zhòng xuān huái yuǎn gèng qī liáng.
Translation: “Autumn ends, days linger—Zhong Xuan’s nostalgia deepens the desolation.”
25. “庭院深深深几许，云窗雾阁常扃。”
Pinyin: Tíng yuàn shēn shēn shēn jǐ xǔ, yún chuāng wù gé cháng jiōng.
Translation: “How deep the courtyard? Clouded windows, foggy towers—always locked.”
26. “柳梢梅萼渐分明，春归秣陵树，人老建康城。”
Pinyin: Liǔ shāo méi è jiàn fēn míng, chūn guī mò líng shù, rén lǎo jiàn kāng chéng.
Translation: “Willow tips, plum buds emerge—spring returns to Moling’s trees, but I age in Jiankang.”
27. “感月吟风多少事，如今老去无成。”
Pinyin: Gǎn yuè yín fēng duō shǎo shì, rú jīn lǎo qù wú chéng.
Translation: “How many moonlit verses I’ve penned—now old, achievements fade.”
28. “谁怜憔悴更凋零，试灯无意思，踏雪没心情。”
Pinyin: Shuí lián qiáo cuì gèng diāo líng, shì dēng wú yì sī, tà xuě méi xīn qíng.
Translation: “Who pities my withering spirit? Lanterns bore me; snow walks bring no joy.”
29. “暖雨晴风初破冻，柳眼梅腮，已觉春心动。”
Pinyin: Nuǎn yǔ qíng fēng chū pò dòng, liǔ yǎn méi sāi, yǐ jué chūn xīn dòng.
Translation: “Warm rain, soft winds thaw the ice—willow eyes, plum cheeks stir spring’s desire.”
30. “酒意诗情谁与共？泪融残粉花钿重。”
Pinyin: Jiǔ yì shī qíng shuí yǔ gòng? Lèi róng cán fěn huā diàn zhòng.
Translation: “Who shares my wine and verse? Tears melt my powder, hairpins weigh heavy.”
31. “乍试夹衫金缕缝，山枕斜欹，枕损钗头凤。”
Pinyin: Zhà shì jiá shān jīn lǚ fèng, shān zhěn xié yī, zhěn sǔn chāi tóu fèng.
Translation: “Newly sewn golden robe; tilted mountain pillow—my phoenix hairpin bends.”
32. “独抱浓愁无好梦，夜阑犹剪灯花弄。”
Pinyin: Dú bào nóng chóu wú hǎo mèng, yè lán yóu jiǎn dēng huā nòng.
Translation: “Holding thick sorrow, no sweet dreams—late night, I trim the lamp’s wick.”
33. “萧条庭院，又斜风细雨，重门须闭。”
Pinyin: Xiāo tiáo tíng yuàn, yòu xié fēng xì yǔ, chóng mén xū bì.
Translation: “Desolate courtyard, slanting wind, fine rain—bolt the gates again.”
34. “宠柳娇花寒食近，种种恼人天气。”
Pinyin: Chǒng liǔ jiāo huā hán shí jìn, zhǒng zhǒng nǎo rén tiān qì.
Translation: “Beloved willows, delicate flowers—Cold Food Festival nears, yet the weather vexes.”
35. “险韵诗成，扶头酒醒，别是闲滋味。”
Pinyin: Xiǎn yùn shī chéng, fú tóu jiǔ xǐng, bié shì xián zī wèi.
Translation: “Risky rhymes done, sober from strong wine—an idle taste lingers.”
36. “征鸿过尽，万千心事难寄。”
Pinyin: Zhēng hóng guò jìn, wàn qiān xīn shì nán jì.
Translation: “Messenger geese have all passed—my thousand thoughts find no carrier.”
37. “楼上几日春寒，帘垂四面，玉阑干慵倚。”
Pinyin: Lóu shàng jǐ rì chūn hán, lián chuí sì miàn, yù lán gān yōng yǐ.
Translation: “Spring chill lingers upstairs; curtains hang heavy—I languidly lean on jade rails.”
38. “被冷香消新梦觉，不许愁人不起。”
Pinyin: Bèi lěng xiāng xiāo xīn mèng jué, bù xǔ chóu rén bù qǐ.
Translation: “Quilt cold, incense spent—new dreams end, forcing the sorrowful to rise.”
39. “清露晨流，新桐初引，多少游春意。”
Pinyin: Qīng lù chén liú, xīn tóng chū yǐn, duō shǎo yóu chūn yì.
Translation: “Morning dew flows, young phoenix trees sprout—how much spring wanderlust stirs?”
40. “日高烟敛，更看今日晴未。”
Pinyin: Rì gāo yān liǎn, gèng kàn jīn rì qíng wèi.
Translation: “Sun rises, mist clears—will today finally brighten?”
41. “风柔日薄春犹早，夹衫乍著心情好。”
Pinyin: Fēng róu rì bó chūn yóu zǎo, jiá shān zhà zhuó xīn qíng hǎo.
Translation: “Gentle wind, pale sun—early spring; donning a lined robe, my mood lifts.”
42. “故乡何处是？忘了除非醉。”
Pinyin: Gù xiāng hé chù shì? Wàng le chú fēi zuì.
Translation: “Where is my homeland? Only drunk can I forget.”
43. “沉水卧时烧，香消酒未消。”
Pinyin: Chén shuǐ wò shí shāo, xiāng xiāo jiǔ wèi xiāo.
Translation: “Agarwood burned as I slept—its scent fades, but the wine remains.”
44. “年年雪里，常插梅花醉。”
Pinyin: Nián nián xuě lǐ, cháng chā méi huā zuì.
Translation: “Yearly in snow, drunk with plum blossoms in my hair.”
45. “今年海角天涯，萧萧两鬓生华。”
Pinyin: Jīn nián hǎi jiǎo tiān yá, xiāo xiāo liǎng bìn shēng huá.
Translation: “This year, at world’s end—frost streaks my temples.”
46. “看取晚来风势，故应难看梅花。”
Pinyin: Kàn qǔ wǎn lái fēng shì, gù yīng nán kàn méi huā.
Translation: “Observe the evening wind’s force—plum blooms will surely suffer.”
47. “莲子已成荷叶老，清露洗、蘋花汀草。”
Pinyin: Lián zǐ yǐ chéng hé yè lǎo, qīng lù xǐ, pín huā tīng cǎo.
Translation: “Lotus seeds ripe, leaves aged—dew cleanses duckweed and marsh grass.”
48. “眠沙鸥鹭不回头，似也恨、人归早。”
Pinyin: Mián shā ōu lù bù huí tóu, sì yě hèn, rén guī zǎo.
Translation: “Gulls on sand sleep, heads unturned—as if they resent our early return.”
49. “翠贴莲蓬小，金销藕叶稀。”
Pinyin: Cuì tiē lián péng xiǎo, jīn xiāo ǒu yè xī.
Translation: “Jade adorns tiny lotus pods; gold fades on sparse leaves.”
50. “凉生枕簟泪痕滋，起解罗衣聊问夜何其。”
Pinyin: Liáng shēng zhěn diàn lèi hén zī, qǐ jiě luó yī liáo wèn yè hé qí.
Translation: “Coolness seeps through the mat, tears stain—rising to undress, I ask how late the night is.”
Li Qingzhao’s words have echoed for 800 years—and with CNPedia’s bilingual quotes, they’re now yours to explore. From her raw emotions about love to her fierce pride in “being a hero among men,” every line in our 50 classic poems blends ancient wisdom with modern clarity. Paired with vibrant artwork and simple explanations, even first-time readers can dive into Song Dynasty literature. Found a quote that speaks to you? Share it as art, discuss it with friends using our free guides, or just keep it close as daily inspiration. Ready to unlock more Chinese poetry gems? Visit CNPedia today—where her timeless verses meet your world.
