“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.”Source: Pride of the Fisherman · Dawn Mist (《渔家傲·天接云涛连晓雾》, Yú Jiā Ào · Tiān Jiē Yún Tāo Lián Xiǎo Wù)Explanation: Embodies boundless ambition; a metaphor for transcending limits.
“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.
“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.”Source: Joy of Eternal Union · Sunset Melts Gold (《永遇乐·落日熔金》, Yǒng Yù Lè · Luò Rì Róng Jīn)Explanation: Portrays isolation amid joy; a critique of social disconnection.
“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.”Source: Tipsy in the Flower’s Shade · Mist and Clouds (《醉花阴·薄雾浓云愁永昼》, Zuì Huā Yīn · Bó Wù Nóng Yún Chóu Yǒng Zhòu)Explanation: Evokes quiet elegance in solitude; favored in pastoral poetry.
“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?”Source: Slow, Slow Tune · Seeking, Seeking (《声声慢·寻寻觅觅》, Shēng Shēng Màn · Xún Xún Mì Mì)Explanation: Symbolizes futile attempts to soothe sorrow; resonates in existential themes.
“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.”Source: Slow, Slow Tune · Seeking, Seeking (《声声慢·寻寻觅觅》, Shēng Shēng Màn · Xún Xún Mì Mì)Explanation: Builds atmosphere through sensory detail; a masterclass in mood-setting.
“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.”Source: Southern Song · Stars Shift (《南歌子·天上星河转》, Nán Gē Zǐ · Tiān Shàng Xīng Hé Zhuǎn)Explanation: Contrasts past and present; poignant for memoirs or personal essays.
“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.”Source: Phoenix Terrace Memories (《凤凰台上忆吹箫·香冷金猊》, Fèng Huáng Tái Shàng Yì Chuī Xiāo · Xiāng Lěng Jīn Ní)Explanation: Subtly reveals unspoken love; a model of restrained emotion.
“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.”Source: Dream Song · Last Night’s Rain (《如梦令·昨夜雨疏风骤》, Rú Mèng Lìng · Zuó Yè Yǔ Shū Fēng Zhòu)Explanation: Juxtaposes vitality and decay; a metaphor for fleeting youth.
“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.”Source: Ode to the Eight Songs Tower (《题八咏楼》, Tí Bā Yǒng Lóu)Explanation: Reflects on historical continuity and collective memory; ideal for philosophical discourse.
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