Introduction to classical Chinese (part 5)

Extended Lesson on Classical Chinese: 兵車行 by Du Fu

Welcome back to our deep dive into the classical Chinese poem 兵車行 by the renowned Tang Dynasty poet 杜甫 (Du Fu). This poem offers a poignant glimpse into the harshness of war and the life of soldiers. In this extended lesson, we’ll explore more lines from this evocative work, comparing classical Chinese with modern Mandarin, alongside English translations and explanations.

The following verses of the Poem

Let’s continue our journey through the poem, examining additional lines:

  1. 箭若流星,
  2. 盔甲生寒光,
  3. 戰士猶能酣戰,
  4. 不惜一切將犧牲.

(We’re focusing on selected lines here. The full poem contains more, which can be explored in further lessons.)

Translation and Pronunciation

Classical Chinese (Traditional) Modern Mandarin Pinyin English
箭若流星 箭如流星 jiàn ruò liúxīng Arrows like shooting stars
盔甲生寒光 头盔和铠甲闪耀着寒光 kuī jiǎ shēng hán guāng Helmets and armors cast cold gleams
戰士猶能酣戰 战士仍能激战 zhànshì yóu néng hān zhàn Warriors can still fight fiercely
不惜一切將犧牲 不惜一切将牺牲 bù xī yíqiè jiāng xīshēng Ready to sacrifice everything

Further Cultural and Historical Context

As we delve deeper into 兵車行, we continue to see Du Fu’s mastery in conveying the gravity of war. Each line serves not only as a portrayal of the physical circumstances but also as a reflection on the emotional and psychological state of the soldiers.

Analysis and Interpretation

  • 箭若流星: This metaphor compares arrows in flight to shooting stars, illustrating their speed and lethal beauty.
  • 盔甲生寒光: The cold light reflecting off the armor symbolizes the chilling reality of warfare.
  • 戰士猶能酣戰: Despite exhaustion and adverse conditions, the poem admires the soldiers’ unyielding spirit.
  • 不惜一切將犧牲: This line underscores the ultimate sacrifice soldiers are prepared to make, highlighting the tragic nobility of their commitment.

Vocabulary Review

Expanding our vocabulary from the poem:

Classical Chinese (Traditional) Mandarin Pinyin English
箭 箭 jiàn Arrow
盔甲 盔甲 kuī jiǎ Armor
戰士 战士 zhànshì Warrior
犧牲 牺牲 xīshēng Sacrifice

This modest introduction would deserve to be explored in greater depth. Nevertheless, I hope you have found a starting point and are motivated to go further in the discovery and deciphering of these ancient texts.