Published on 23 September 2024
If you're new to Chinese, it might be difficult to absorb the tones, characters, and unfamiliar sounds.
Poetry helps diversify Chinese language learning. Every learner eventually reaches a motivation ceiling, and learning becomes increasingly difficult. In this case, one option is to study and analyse Chinese poetry. It is more effective to study poetry with online Chinese teachers at https://livexp.com/skills/chinese. This is logical, as there will be an opportunity to discuss the structure of the poems, vocabulary, and grammar.
For those unfamiliar with Classical Chinese, here's a classic Confucius quote:
Classical Chinese Simplified: 有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎?
Classical Chinese Traditional: 有朋自遠方來，不亦樂乎?
Modern Chinese Simplified: 有朋友从远方来，不也快乐吗？
Modern Chinese Traditional: 有朋友從遠方來，不也快樂嗎？
English: Is it not a delight to have friends come from afar?
The following differences stand out:
- 朋 (péng) vs. 朋友 (péng yǒu) – friend.
- 自 (zì) vs. 从 (cóng) – from.
- 乐 (lè) vs. 快乐 (kuài lè) – happiness, a delight.
- 乎 (hū) vs. 吗 (ma) – question particle.
Modern Chinese may employ two or more characters, whereas Classical Chinese only one. Classical Chinese is primarily a written language, so knowing what a string of single characters means is usually enough to understand the sentence (unless the characters have more than one meaning, which they might; the characters may have meant something different in Classical Chinese than in modern Chinese, so watch out for that).
One of the best Classical Chinese poems is the "Lion-Eating Poet in the Stone Den," or 施氏食狮史 (shī shì shí shī shǐ). Every character in the poem's title is pronounced "shi," as you may have noticed! A character with the same sound might have a different tone and be written with a distinct character.
Chinese poet Li Bai for learning language
World-renowned poet Li Bai. His effect on Chinese culture as China's representative poet is excellent. Chinese people still study his poetry.
Li Bai, known as "诗仙 (shīxiān) the God of poetry" and "酒仙 (jiǔxiān) the God of wine" in China, is widely regarded as the greatest Tang Dynasty poet. He always wrote his great poems while drinking. Phrases like "笔落惊风雨，诗成泣鬼神" honor his poetry. (Bǐ luò jīng fēngyǔ, shī chéng qì guǐshén.) When the pen is to paper, the wind and rain have been shocked, and when the poetry is finished, even the ghosts and spirits have been touched by it."
Li Bai used his creativity to polish his poetry's substance and structure. Although his poetry is subjective, readers always believe it. His poetry was always distinctive and touching because he employed several strategies. Li Bai, known as "游侠 (yóu xiá) traveling knight" for his love of travel, mainly depicts China's stunning environment in his works.
Example of poems
Fēi liú zhí xià sānqiān chǐ, yí shì yínhé luò jiǔ tiān / 飞 流 直 下 三千 尺，疑是 银河 落 九 天。/ Its torrent dashed down from three thousand feet high, as if the Silver River fell from the azure sky.
— From《望庐山瀑布》/ Wàng Lúshān pùbù / Cataract on Mount Lu.
Tiān shēng wǒ cái bì yǒu yòng, qiān jīn sàn jìn huán fù lái. / 天 生 我 材 必 有 用， 千 金 散 尽 还 复 来。/ Heaven has made us talents; we're not made in vain. A thousand gold coins were spent, and more will turn up again.
— From《将进酒》 / Qiāng jìn jiǔ / Invitation to Wine.
Useful learning vocabulary
- 纪念 / jìniàn/ to commemorate (v.)
- 风格 / fēnggé / style (n.)