Chinese chat: A poetic aside

By That's PRD, August 28, 2015

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Rather than simply focusing on practical expressions, it’s important also to explore the culture of any language you are trying to learn. Get a feel for the rhythm of Mandarin – and impress acquaintances – with a tone-perfect recitation of this poem by well-known contemporary poet Xi Murong (席慕蓉).

 

一棵开花的树  yì kē kāi huā de shù

如何让你遇见我  rú hé ràng nǐ yù jiàn wǒ

在我最美丽的时刻  zài wǒ zuì měi lì de shí kè

为这  wèi zhè

我已在佛前求了五百年  wǒ yǐ zài fó qián qiú le wǔ bǎi nián

求它让我们结一段尘缘  qiú tā ràng wǒ men jié yí duàn chén yuán

佛于是把我化做一棵树  fó yú shì bǎ wǒ huà zuò yì kē shù

长在你必经的路旁  zhǎng zài nǐ bì jīng de lù páng

阳光下慎重地开满了花 yáng guāng xià shèn zhòng de kāi mǎn le huā

朵朵都是我前世的盼望  duǒ duǒ dōu shì wǒ qián shì de pàn wàng

当你走近  dāng nǐ zǒu jìn

请你细听  qǐng nǐ xì tīng

颤抖的叶是我等待的热情  chàn dǒu de yè shì wǒ děng dài de rè qíng

而当你终于无视地走过  ér dāng nǐ zhōng yú wú shì dì zǒu guò

在你身后落了一地的  zài nǐ shēn hòu luò le yí dì de

朋友啊 那不是花瓣 péng yǒu ā nà bú shì huā bàn

是我凋零的心 shì wǒ diāo líng de xīn

 

A Blooming Tree

May Buddha let us meet

In my most beautiful hours

I have prayed for it

For five hundred years

Buddha made me a tree

By the path you may take

In full blossom I'm waiting in the sun

Every flower carrying my previous hope

As you are near, listen carefully

The quivering leaves are my waiting zeal

As you pass by the tree

Without noticing me

My friend, upon the ground behind you

Is not the fallen petals

But my withered heart

 

// Taipei Language Institute (TLI) is one of the top 10 language schools globally. To find out more about their Chinese language learning courses, contact 0755-2161 8221, email tlishenzhen@126.com or visit www.tli.com.tw. 1209A, Bldg C, Ming Wah International Convention Center, Sea World, Shekou, Nanshan, Shenzhen 深圳市南山蛇口海上世界明华国际会议中心C座1209A

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