Regrets in Chinese

In my humble opinion, the Italian composer (意大利作曲家 Yìdàlì zuòqǔ jiā ) Enrico Toselli’s Nightingale Serenade is one of the most beautiful melodies that can pull on your heartstrings and stir your soul. Whether played on the violin or on the piano, it can convey to you a feeling of the regret of lost love and the yearning for what is no more. The vocal version is more concise and not as repetitive.

Here is my Chinese interpretation, and I think it follows the original lyrics quite closely.

爱的回忆
Ài de huíyì
The reminiscence of love,

像金色的梦,
xiàng jīnsè de mèng,
like a golden dream,

虽已成過去,
suī yǐ chéng guòqù,
although a thing of the past,

但依然深深地刻在心里.
dàn yīrán shēn shēn di kè zài xīnli.
is still deeply engraved in my heart.

依稀看见
Yīxī kànjiàn
I can vaguely see

你那微笑的脸庞;
nǐ nà wéixiào de liǎnpáng;
your smiling face;

无限的欢乐
wúxiàn de huānlè
and the boundless joy

点亮了我们青春的时光.
diǎn liàngle wǒmen qīngchūn de shíguāng.
that lit up our happy youth.

一切瞬间消灭了;
Yīqiè shùnjiān xiāomiè liǎo;
Everything was wiped out instantly;

爱的蜜汁干枯了.
ài de mì zhī gānkū liǎo.
the nectar of love has dried up.

好梦一场
Hǎo mèng yī chǎng
The sweet dream

换来满心痛苦和悲伤.
huàn lái mǎnxīn tòngkǔ hé bēishāng.
left me with a heart full of pain and sorrow.

前途多晦暗!
Qiántú duō huì’àn!
What gloom lies before me!

教我懊悔不堪.
Jiào wǒ àohuǐ bùkān.
It makes me regret unbearably.

岁月不返,
Suìyuè bù fǎn,
Time doesn’t return,

独自愁肠断.
dúzì chóu cháng duàn.
and I’m alone and heartbroken.

你是我唯一良伴.
Nǐ shì wǒ wéiyī liáng bàn.
You are my only ideal companion.

没有了你, 这世界多么黯淡.
Méiyǒule nǐ, zhè shìjiè duōme àndàn.
Without you, this world is dark and bleak.

啊！我心爱的阳光！
A! Wǒ xīn’ài di yángguāng!
Ah! My beloved sunshine!

你不再照耀我的前程.
Nǐ bù zài zhàoyào wǒ de qiánchéng.
You no longer illuminate my future

今世, 今生!
Jīnshì, jīnshēng!
in this life, ever.

一场 (yī chǎng) means a bout, a scene, an episode or an occurrence of some event. 一场好戏 (yī chǎng hǎo xì) means a good show. When spoken sarcasticaly, it refers to some funny or scandalour incident.

悲伤 (bēishāng) can be used as a noun (sorrow), a verb (to be sad) or adjective (being sad).

前途 (qiántú ) and 前程 (qiánchéng) both mean the road ahead. These words refer to the future or what lies ahead.

消灭 (xiāomiè) means to destroy, eradicate or to perish.

晦暗 (huì’àn) and 黯淡 (àndàn) both refer to a dim and gloomy condition.

后悔 (hòuhuǐ), 懊悔 (àohuǐ), and 悔恨 (huǐhèn) are different ways of saying regret or remorse, increasing in intensity.

后悔来不及.
Hòuhuǐ láibují.
Too late to regret.

愁肠寸断 (chóu cháng cùn duàn) is a Chinese idiom describing the extent of one’s sadness, likening it to having one’s insides broken into pieces.

陪伴 (péibàn) means to accompany or to keep somebody company. 伴侣 (bànlǚ) are companions. 良 (liáng) and 良好 (liánghǎo) mean good. Therefore, 良伴 (liáng bàn) is a good companion. 爱情 (àiqíng) means feelings of love. Therefore, 情伴 (qíng bàn) and 情侣 (qínglǚ) are lovers.

今世今生 (jīnshì jīnshēng), 今生今世 (jīnshēng jīnshì), or 此生 (cǐshēng) means in this life, or as long as I live.

今生今世我再也不想见到他了.
Jīnshēng jīnshì wǒ zài yě bùxiǎng jiàn dào tā le.
As long as I live, I never want to see him again.

On this Valentine’s Day, I suppose you’d expect to hear something like the following instead:

今生今世我将永远爱你.
Jīnshēng jīnshì wǒ jiāng yǒngyuǎn ài nǐ.
In this life I shall forever love you.

A Parody on Confucius Said

Another year of hard work studying Chinese is coming to a close. I thought we could get a taste of classical Chinese and have some fun as well.

As you know, Confucius is the most respected world-renowned ancient Chinese philosopher/teacher. He was born in the Shandong Provide of China in 551 BCE. He served as an adviser to various state governments, had many worthy disciples and a huge following among the elites as well as the common people. His teachings emphasized proper social relationships, the acquisition of knowledge, and the importance of moral values, such as justice, kindness and sincerity.

Not to be confused with “confusion”, “Confucius” is the Roman literalization of 孔夫子 (Kǒng fūzǐ Master Kong), where 孔 (Kǒng) is his surname, and 夫子 (fūzǐ) means a master or a scholar. 孔子 (Kǒngzǐ) is simply the short form of 孔夫子 (Kǒng fūzǐ).

After Confucius died, his disciples and followers wrote down his teachings and remarks in a book called 论语 (Lúnyǔ), which is referred to in English as the Analects of Confucius, or simply the Analects. Throughout the Analects, you will see the expression “子曰 (Zǐ yuē)”, which means “Confucius said”. Please note that the 曰 (yuē) character is wider than the 日 (rì day or the sun) character. The 曰 (yuē) character is not used in present-day Chinese.

As Confucius was regarded as a sage, people listened to and took note of everything that he said. In fact, one of his sayings is akin to the Golden Rule valued in the western culture:

子曰: “己所不欲勿施予人.”
Zǐ yuē: “Jǐ suǒ bù yù wù shī yǔ rén.”
Master Kong said, “Don’t do to others what you don’t want others to do to you.”

Another example is his general advice to the rulers of that time:

子曰: “导千乘之国，
Zǐ yuē: “Dǎo qiān chéng zhī guó,
Master Kong said, “To govern a country of a thousand chariots,

敬事而信
jìng shì ér xìn,
one must attend to the state affairs earnestly and be trustworthy,

节用而爱人，
jié yòng ér àirén,
be prudent with expenses and love the people,

使民以时.”
shǐ mín yǐ shí.”
and call for the people’s service at the proper time.
(Namely, not in conflice with their farm work.)

See how concise and terse written classical Chinese is in comparison with modern Chinese and English?

Among the disciples who closely followed Confucius, there were a few favorites, one of whom was 顏回 (Yán huí). One day, Confucius sighed and blurted out the following in praise of 顏回 (Yán huí), whom he referred to by the first name 回 (Huí).

子曰: “贤哉, 回也!
Zǐ yuē: “Xiánzāi, Huí yě!
Master Kong said, “How virtuous Hui is!

一箪食, 一瓢饮,
Yī dān shí, yī piáo yǐn, zài lòuxiàng.
He only has one bowl of rice to eat and one ladle of water to drink (for a meal);

在陋巷.
zài lòuxiàng
and he lives in a back alley.

人不堪其忧,
Rén bùkān qí yōu,
Other people would find the sorrow (of such poverty) unbearable,

回也不改其乐.
Huí yě bù gǎi qí lè.
yet Hui does not change his happy attitude.

贤哉, 回也!”
Xiánzāi, Huí yě!
How virtuous Hui is!”

As a Chinese saying goes, 知足常乐 (zhī zú cháng lè), i.e. happiness lies in contentment. 顏回 (Yán huí) was a paragon of this virtue.

I studied the Analects of Confucius at high school, and when I mentioned this part to my father, it reminded him of a parody that he once heard uttered in the Shandong dialect. It goes like this:

回儿也! 回儿也!
Huí er yě! Huí er yě!
Hui my boy! Hui my boy!

你真是个好人儿也!
Nǐ zhēnshi gè hǎorén er yě!
You are truly such a good person!

你用篮子吃饭, 瓢儿喝水.
Nǐ yòng lánzi chīfàn, piáo er hē shuǐ.
You eat from a basket and drink from a ladle.

三间破房没大门.
Sān jiān pò fáng méi dàmén.
Your three shabby rooms have no main door.

人家都为你掉眼泪儿.
Rénjiā dōu wèi nǐ diào yǎnlèi er,
Everyone sheds tears for you,

你还说: “没事, 没事.”
nǐ hái shuō méishì, méishì.”
but you still say, “No problem, no problem.”

As you may know, the Shandong dialect, like the dialect of many other Chinee provinces, sounds quite different from Mandarin Chinese. Click here if you would like to listen to my mimicking this parody in the Shandong dialet. For the fun of it, I also tried it in the Taiwanese dialect. Would you like to do it in your own language or dialect? Have a good laugh.

Values and Virtues in Chinese

Independence Day is a day of public celebration throughout the USA. It symbolizes the courage and love of liberty of the American people. We will take this opportunity to learn the Chinese words for some of the established values (价值观 jiàzhíguān) and a number of virtures (美德 měidé) regarded as important for each of us to cultivate in order to become a better person.

(Peace Bookmark in Chinese)

Following are a number of commonly cited American values:

自由与个人主义 (zìyóu yǔ gèrén zhǔyì) freedom and individualism

自治政府 (zìzhì zhèngfǔ) self-government

民主 (mínzhǔ) democracy

自由企业 (zìyóu qì yè) free enterprise

成就与成功 (chéngjiù yǔ chénggōng) achievement and success

公平 (gōngpíng) fairness

诚实 (chéngshí) honesty

职业道德 (zhíyè dàodé) work ethics

教育 (jiàoyù) education

实用主义和唯物主义 (shíyòng zhǔyì hé wéiwù zhǔyì) practicality and materialism

一夫一妻制 (yīfū yī qī zhì) monogamy

平等机会 (píngděng jīhuì) equal opportunity

爱国主义 (àiguó zhǔyì) patriotism

人道主义 (réndào zhǔyì) humanitarianism

The Chinese do not place importance on individualism, but rather emphasize self-improvement to serve the society as a whole. According to teachings of Confucianism, the way to attain a harmonious world includes the following steps:

修身 -> 齐家 -> 治国 -> 平天下
xiūshēn -> qí jiā -> zhìguó -> píng tiānxià
self-cultivation -> family management -> country government -> world peace

In other words, in order to achieve a peaceful and harmonious world, there must first be peace and harmony in each country. An orderly society consists of well managed families. To have a good family, one must first cultivate oneself to contribute positively to the family.

Whereas 修养 (xiūyǎng) means self-cultivation, 教养 (jiàoyǎng) refers to one’s upbringing.

他是一个有修养的人.
Tā shì yīgè yǒu xiūyǎng de rén.
He is a cultivated person.

那个女人没教养.
Nàgè nǚrén méi jiàoyǎng.
That women is not well brought up.

Traditionally, the personal virtues most valued by the Chinese are the following, and these Chinse characters (except the one for “love”) are popular choices when naming a boy.

忠 (zhōng) loyalty or loyal, as in 忠实的观众 (zhōngshí de guānzhòng loyal audience)

孝 (xiào) filial piety or being dutiful and obedient to one’s parents, as in 孝顺的孩子 (xiàoshùn de háizi a duity child)

仁 (rén) benevolence or kind-hearted, as in 有仁心的人 (yǒu rén xīn de rén kind-hearted person)

爱 (ài) love, as in 亲爱的 (qīn’ài de dear) or 爱好 (àihào hobby)

信 (xìn) honesty or honest, as in 守信用 (xhǒu xìnyòng trustworthy)

义 (yì) uprightness, justice, or personal loyalty, as in (讲义气 jiǎng yìqì loyal to friends)

和 (hé) harmony, as in 和睦相处 (hémù xiāngchǔ get along in harmony)

平 (píng) peace, as in 世界和平 (shìjiè hépíng world peace)

The following are considered the four beams of the scaffold of an orderly society:

礼 (lǐ) propriety, as in 有礼貌 (yǒu lǐmào polite) and 礼物 (lǐwù gift)

义 (yì) justice, as in 正义感 (zhèngyì gǎn sense of justice)

廉 (lián) integrity or incorruptible, as in 清廉 (qīnglián free of corruption) and 廉价 (liánjià inexpensive, i.e. they are not overcharging you)

耻 (chǐ) sense of honor or shame, as in 无耻 (wúchǐ shameless or brazen)

The colloquial version of 无耻 is “不要脸! (Bùyàoliǎn!)”. This is a very offensive remark.

Now, dear readers from around the world, what are the virtues most valued in your culture?

七月四日快乐!
Qīyuè sìrì kuàilè!
Happy July 4th!

A Chinese translation of “Oats, Peas, Beans and Barley Grow”

Bean Starts

The prolonged sunny weather we’re having this fall season has enabled me to continue to harvest from my small garden plot. Thinking about it, I owe Mother Nature many thanks. In our collaboration to produce vegetables and fruits, my contribution is minimal. In fact, there is much truth in the children’s song titled “Oats, Peas, Beans and Barleys Grow”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZq3m0cZ_bk

有谁知道燕麦、豌豆、干豆和大麦是如何长大的吗？
Yǒu shéi zhīdào yànmài, wāndòu, gān dòu hé dàmài shì rúhé zhǎngdà de ma?
Does anyone know how oats, peas and barley grow?

首先, 农夫播下燕麦、豌豆、干豆和大麦的种子.
Shǒuxiān, nóngfū bō xià yànmài, wāndòu, gān dòu hé dàmài de zhǒngzi.
First, the farmer sows the seeds for oats, peas, beans and barley.

然后他站起来歇一会儿.
Ránhòu tā zhàn qǐlái xiē yīhuìr.
Then, he stands up to relax a bit.

他跺跺脚, 拍拍手,
Tā duò duò jiǎo, pāi pāi shǒu,
He stamps his foot and claps his hands,

转身看看他的土地.
zhuǎnshēn kàn kan tā de tǔdì.
and turns around to view his land.

接下来, 农夫给种子浇了水.
Jiē xiàlái, nóngfū gěi zhǒngzi jiāo le shuǐ
Next, the farmer waters the seeds.

再接下来, 农夫锄了锄杂草.
Zà jiē xiàlái, nóngfū chú le chú zá cǎo.
Next, the farmer hoes the weeds.

最后, 农夫收获他的种子.
Zuìhòu, nóngfū shōuhuò tā de zhǒngzi.
Last, the farmer harvests his seeds.

由此可見
Yóu cǐ kějiàn
It can be seen from this,

虽然农夫花时间和精力在田里辛劳工作,
suīrán nóngfū huā shíjiān hé jīnglì zài tián lǐ xīnláo gōngzuò,
that although the farmer spends time and energy toiling in the field,

实际上使植物茁壮成长的
shíjì shang shǐ zhíwù zhuózhuàng chéngzhǎng de
what actually makes the plants thrive and grow

是一种神奇的力量在发挥作用.
shì yī zhǒng shénqí de lìliàng zài fāhuī zuòyòng.
is a mysterious power at play.

在收获和享用菜园产品的时候,
Zài shōuhuò hé xiǎngyòng càiyuán chǎnpǐn de shíhòu,
While harvesting and enjoying the garden produce,

我感到上天赐给了我一份特殊的爱,
wǒ gǎndào shàngtiān cìgěi le wǒ yī fèn tèshū de ài,
I feel a special love bestowed upon me,

让我深深感激.
ràng wǒ shēn shēn gǎnjī.
making me deeply thankful.

感恩节快乐!
Gǎnēn jié kuàilè!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Sing Oh, Shenandoah in Chinese

Today we will sing a traditional American folk song in Chinese. Below, on the right side, you will find one version of the lyrics to this song. On the left side is my translation notated with pinyin.

噢, 泄南多啊! Oh Shenandoah,
Ō, xiè nán duō a!
我多想念你. I long to hear you.
Wǒ duō xiǎngniàn nǐ.
再会! 涛涛的大河! Away! You rolling river!
Zàihuì! Tāo tāo de dà hé!
噢, 泄南多啊! Oh Shenandoah,
Ō, xiè nán duō a!
我多想见你. I long to see you.
Wǒ duō xiǎngjiàn nǐ.
再会!来日再会! Away, I’m bound away
Zàihuì! Lái rì zàihuì!
遥念于密苏里. ‘Cross the wide Missouri.
Yáo niàn yú Mìsūlǐ.

噢, 泄南多啊! Oh Shenandoah,
Ō, xiè nán duō a!
我多么爱她. I love your daughter.
Wǒ duōme ài tā.
再会! 涛涛的大河! Away! You rolling river!
Zàihuì! Tāo tāo de dà hé!
我会带她 I’ll take her ‘cross
Wǒ huì dài tā
平安地回家. Your rollin’ water.
Píng’ān dì huí jiā.
再会!来日再会! Away, I’m bound away
Zàihuì! Lái rì zàihuì!
遥念于密苏里. ‘Cross the wide Missouri.
Yáo niàn yú Mìsūlǐ.

这七年多, ‘Tis seven years,
Zhè qī nián duō,
我四处漂泊. I’ve been a rover,
Wǒ sìchù piāobó.
再会! 涛涛的大河! Away! You rolling river!
Zàihuì! Tāo tāo de dà hé!
等我回来, When I return,
Děng wǒ huílái,
当履行承诺. I’ll be your lover.
Dāng lǚ xíng chéngnuò.
再会!来日再会! Away, I’m bound away
Zàihuì! Lái rì zàihuì!
遥念于密苏里. ‘Cross the wide Missouri.
Yáo niàn yú Mìsūlǐ.

噢, 泄南多啊! Oh Shenandoah,
Ō, xiè nán duō a!
我必须离去. I’m bound to leave you.
Wǒ bìxū lí qù.
再会! 涛涛的大河! Away! You rolling river!
Zàihuì! Tāo tāo de dà hé!
噢, 泄南多啊! Oh Shenandoah,
Ō, xiè nán duō a!
我不会负义. I’ll not deceive you.
Wǒ bù huì fù yì.
再会!来日再会! Away, I’m bound away
Zàihuì! Lái rì zàihuì!
遥念于密苏里. ‘Cross the wide Missouri.
Yáo niàn yú Mìsūlǐ.

河 ( hé ) is a river. A small stream or brook would be called 溪 (xī). 涛涛 (tāo tāo) describes the rolling waves.
想念 (xiǎngniàn) means to miss someone. 遥远 (yáoyuǎn) means faraway. Therefore, 遥念 (yáo niàn) means to miss someone from afar.
再会 (zàihuì) and 再见(zàijiàn) are interchangeable. Both mean “See you again.”.
来日 (lái rì) means someday in the future. The Chinese idiom 来日方长 (Láirìfāngcháng) means there will be another day for that.
平安地 (píng’ān di) means safely.
回家 (huí jiā) means to go home or come hom.
四处漂泊 (sìchù piāobó) is to wonder around.
履行承诺 (lǚ xíng chéngnuò) is to fulfill one’s promise.

The Chinese idiom 忘恩负义 (wàng’ēnfùyì) is used for accusing someone of being ungrateful and turning one’s back in return.

七月四日快乐!
Qīyuè sìrì kuàilè!
Happy July 4th!