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- Poetry of Yu Xuanji

《迎李近仁员外》

中文原文( Chinese )

今日喜时闻喜鹊，昨宵灯下拜灯花；

焚香出户迎潘岳，不羡牵牛织女家。

English Translation

Today is a happy time to hear the magpies sing.

Last night by lamplight, I praised the candle snuffer.

Incense comes out my door to welcome Pan Yue.

Just don't expect that Cowherd and Weaver Girl thing.

Poems of Yu Xuanji

- Last updated: 2025-02-28 18:13:59

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Why Chinese poems is so special?: The most distinctive features of Chinese poetry are: concision- many poems are only four lines, and few are much longer than eight; ambiguity- number, tense and parts of speech are often undetermined, creating particularly rich interpretative possibilities; and structure- most poems follow quite strict formal patterns which have beauty in themselves as well as highlighting meaningful contrasts.

How to read a Chinese poem?: Like an English poem, but more so. Everything is there for a reason, so try to find that reason. Think about all the possible connotations, and be aware of the different possibilities of number and tense. Look for contrasts: within lines, between the lines of each couplet and between successive couplets. Above all, don't worry about what the poet meant- find your meaning.

List of Chinese poets