《野草》題辭

當我沈默著的時候，我覺得充實；When I am silent, I feel full.我將開口，同時感到空虛。When I am about to speak, I feel empty at the same time.

當

dāng — 1. to be 2. to act as 3. manage 4. withstand 5. when 6. during 7. ought 8. should 9. match equally 10. equal 11. same 12. obstruct 13. just at (a time or place) 14. on the spot 15. right 16. just at (HSK 2)

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

沈

Shěn — surname Shen

默

mò — 1. silent 2. to write from memory

著

zhāo — 1. a move in chess (Taiwan pr. (zhuó)) 2. trick; tactic 3. (dialect) okay; all right 4. (dialect) to put in; to add (HSK 1)

的

de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)

時候

shí hou — 1. time 2. length of time 3. moment 4. period (HSK 1)

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

覺得

jué de — 1. to think that ...; to feel that ... 2. to feel (uncomfortable etc) (HSK 1)

充實

chōng shí — 1. rich 2. full 3. substantial 4. to enrich 5. to augment 6. to substantiate (an argument) (HSK 7-9)

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

將

jiāng — 1. will 2. shall 3. to use 4. to take 5. to checkmate 6. just a short while ago 7. (introduces object of main verb, used in the same way as 把 (bǎ)) (HSK 5)

開口

kāi kǒu — 1. to open one's mouth 2. to start to talk (HSK 7-9)

同時

tóng shí — at the same time; simultaneously (HSK 2)

感到

gǎn dào — to feel; to sense; to perceive (HSK 2)

空虛

kōng xū — 1. hollow 2. emptiness 3. meaningless (HSK 7-9)

当我沈默著的时候，我觉得充实；我将开口，同时感到空虚。

過去的生命已經死亡。The life of the past has already died.我對于這死亡有大歡喜，因為我借此知道它曾經存活。I take great joy in this death, for through it I know that it once lived.死亡的生命已經朽腐。The dead life has already rotted.我對于這朽腐有大歡喜，因為我借此知道它還非空虛。I take great joy in this decay, for through it I know that it is not yet empty.

過去

guò qù — 1. (in the) past; former; previous 2. to go over; to pass by (HSK 2)

的

de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)

生命

shēng mìng — 1. life (as the characteristic of living beings) 2. living being; creature (classifier: 條 (tiáo)) (HSK 3)

已經

yǐ jīng — already (HSK 2)

死亡

sǐ wáng — 1. to die 2. death (HSK 6)

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

對

duì — 1. right; correct 2. towards; at; for 3. concerning; regarding 4. to treat (sb a certain way) 5. to face 6. (bound form) opposite; facing; matching 7. to match together; to adjust 8. to fit; to suit 9. to answer; to reply 10. to add; to pour in (a fluid) 11. to check; to compare 12. classifier: couple; pair (HSK 1)

于

Yú — surname Yu (HSK 6)

這

zhè — 1. (pronoun) this; these 2. (bound form) this; the (followed by a noun) 3. (bound form) this; these (followed by a classifier) (in this sense, commonly pr. (zhèi), esp. in Beijing) (HSK 1)

死亡

sǐ wáng — 1. to die 2. death (HSK 6)

有

yǒu — 1. to have; there is 2. (bound form) having; with; -ful; -ed; -al (as in 有意 (yǒu yì) intentional) (HSK 1)

大

dà — 1. big; large; great 2. older (than another person) 3. eldest (as in 大姐 (dà jiě)) 4. greatly; freely; fully 5. (dialect) father 6. (dialect) uncle (father's brother) (HSK 1)

歡喜

huān xǐ — 1. happy 2. joyous 3. delighted 4. to like 5. to be fond of

因為

yīn wèi — because; owing to; on account of (HSK 2)

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

借此

jiè cǐ — using this as a pretext; thereby

知道

zhī dào — 1. to know; to become aware of 2. also pr. (zhī dao) (HSK 1)

它

tā — it (HSK 2)

曾經

céng jīng — 1. once 2. already 3. former 4. previously 5. ever 6. (past tense marker used before verb or clause) (HSK 3)

存活

cún huó — 1. to survive (a serious accident) 2. survival

死亡

sǐ wáng — 1. to die 2. death (HSK 6)

的

de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)

生命

shēng mìng — 1. life (as the characteristic of living beings) 2. living being; creature (classifier: 條 (tiáo)) (HSK 3)

已經

yǐ jīng — already (HSK 2)

朽

xiǔ — rotten

腐

fǔ — 1. decay 2. rotten

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

對

duì — 1. right; correct 2. towards; at; for 3. concerning; regarding 4. to treat (sb a certain way) 5. to face 6. (bound form) opposite; facing; matching 7. to match together; to adjust 8. to fit; to suit 9. to answer; to reply 10. to add; to pour in (a fluid) 11. to check; to compare 12. classifier: couple; pair (HSK 1)

于

Yú — surname Yu (HSK 6)

這

zhè — 1. (pronoun) this; these 2. (bound form) this; the (followed by a noun) 3. (bound form) this; these (followed by a classifier) (in this sense, commonly pr. (zhèi), esp. in Beijing) (HSK 1)

朽

xiǔ — rotten

腐

fǔ — 1. decay 2. rotten

有

yǒu — 1. to have; there is 2. (bound form) having; with; -ful; -ed; -al (as in 有意 (yǒu yì) intentional) (HSK 1)

大

dà — 1. big; large; great 2. older (than another person) 3. eldest (as in 大姐 (dà jiě)) 4. greatly; freely; fully 5. (dialect) father 6. (dialect) uncle (father's brother) (HSK 1)

歡喜

huān xǐ — 1. happy 2. joyous 3. delighted 4. to like 5. to be fond of

因為

yīn wèi — because; owing to; on account of (HSK 2)

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

借此

jiè cǐ — using this as a pretext; thereby

知道

zhī dào — 1. to know; to become aware of 2. also pr. (zhī dao) (HSK 1)

它

tā — it (HSK 2)

還

Huán — surname Huan (HSK 1)

非空

fēi kōng — (math.) (of a set) non-empty; (computing) (of a data structure) non-empty

虛

xū — 1. emptiness 2. void 3. abstract theory or guiding principles 4. empty or unoccupied 5. diffident or timid 6. false 7. humble or modest 8. (of health) weak 9. virtual 10. in vain (HSK 7-9)

过去的生命已经死亡。我对于这死亡有大欢喜，因为我借此知道它曾经存活。死亡的生命已经朽腐。我对于这朽腐有大欢喜，因为我借此知道它还非空虚。

生命的泥委棄在地面上，不生喬木，只生野草，這是我的罪過。The mud of life lies cast off upon the ground, growing no trees, only wild grass — this is my transgression.

生命

shēng mìng — 1. life (as the characteristic of living beings) 2. living being; creature (classifier: 條 (tiáo)) (HSK 3)

的

de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)

泥

ní — 1. mud 2. clay 3. paste 4. pulp (HSK 6)

委

Wěi — surname Wei

棄

qì — 1. to abandon 2. to relinquish 3. to discard 4. to throw away

在地

zài dì — (Tw) local; native (from Taiwanese 在地, Tai-lo pr. [tsāi-tē])

面

miàn — 1. face 2. side 3. surface 4. aspect 5. top 6. classifier for objects with flat surfaces such as drums, mirrors, flags etc

上

shǎng — used in 上聲 (shǎng shēng) (HSK 1)

不

bù — 1. no; not so 2. (bound form) not; un- (HSK 1)

生

shēng — 1. to grow; to give birth; to produce; to be born 2. to arise; to occur 3. to light (a fire) 4. to live; to be alive 5. life 6. raw; uncooked; unprocessed 7. unfamiliar; strange 8. (bound form) student; person engaged in a field 9. (bound form) male role in traditional opera 10. (bound form) life; lifetime 11. (bound form) means of livelihood 12. (bound form) very; intensely (as in 生疼 (shēng téng)) 13. (bound form) in a forced manner (as in 生拉硬拽 (shēng lā yìng zhuài)) (HSK 2)

喬木

qiáo mù — tree, esp. with recognizable trunk (as opposed to 灌木 (guàn mù), bush or shrub)

只

zhī — variant of 隻 (zhī) (HSK 2)

生

shēng — 1. to grow; to give birth; to produce; to be born 2. to arise; to occur 3. to light (a fire) 4. to live; to be alive 5. life 6. raw; uncooked; unprocessed 7. unfamiliar; strange 8. (bound form) student; person engaged in a field 9. (bound form) male role in traditional opera 10. (bound form) life; lifetime 11. (bound form) means of livelihood 12. (bound form) very; intensely (as in 生疼 (shēng téng)) 13. (bound form) in a forced manner (as in 生拉硬拽 (shēng lā yìng zhuài)) (HSK 2)

野草

yě cǎo — 1. weeds 2. mistress or prostitute (old)

這

zhè — 1. (pronoun) this; these 2. (bound form) this; the (followed by a noun) 3. (bound form) this; these (followed by a classifier) (in this sense, commonly pr. (zhèi), esp. in Beijing) (HSK 1)

是

shì — 1. to be (followed by substantives only) 2. correct; right; true 3. (respectful acknowledgement of a command) very well 4. (adverb for emphatic assertion) (HSK 1)

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

的

de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)

罪過

zuì guo — 1. sin 2. offense

生命的泥委弃在地面上，不生乔木，只生野草，这是我的罪过。

野草，根本不深，花葉不美，然而吸取露，吸取水，吸取陳死人的血和肉，各各奪取它的生存。Wild grass, its roots not deep, its flowers and leaves not beautiful, yet it drinks dew, drinks water, drinks the blood and flesh of the long dead, each one seizing its own survival.當生存時，還是將遭踐踏，將遭刪刈，直至于死亡而朽腐。Even while it lives, it will still be trampled, still be cut down, until it dies and rots.

野草

yě cǎo — 1. weeds 2. mistress or prostitute (old)

根本

gēn běn — 1. fundamental 2. basic 3. root 4. simply 5. absolutely (not) 6. (not) at all 7. classifier: 個 (gè) (HSK 3)

不

bù — 1. no; not so 2. (bound form) not; un- (HSK 1)

深

shēn — (lit. and fig.) deep (HSK 3)

花

Huā — surname Hua (HSK 1)

葉

Yè — surname Ye

不

bù — 1. no; not so 2. (bound form) not; un- (HSK 1)

美

Měi — 1. (bound form) the Americas (abbr. for 美洲 (Měi zhōu)) 2. (bound form) USA (abbr. for 美國 (Měi guó)) (HSK 3)

然而

rán ér — however; but; yet (HSK 4)

吸取

xī qǔ — 1. to absorb 2. to draw (a lesson, insight etc) 3. to assimilate (HSK 7-9)

露

Lù — surname Lu (HSK 6)

吸取

xī qǔ — 1. to absorb 2. to draw (a lesson, insight etc) 3. to assimilate (HSK 7-9)

水

Shuǐ — 1. surname Shui 2. Shui ethnic group (HSK 1)

吸取

xī qǔ — 1. to absorb 2. to draw (a lesson, insight etc) 3. to assimilate (HSK 7-9)

陳

Chén — 1. surname Chen 2. Chen (c. 1045 – 479 BC), a Zhou dynasty state 3. Chen (557–589), one of the Southern Dynasties 南朝 (Nán Cháo)

死人

sǐ rén — 1. dead person 2. (coll.) to die; (of a death) to happen

的

de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)

血

xiě — see 血 (xuè) (HSK 3)

和

Hé — surname He (HSK 1)

肉

ròu — 1. meat 2. flesh 3. pulp (of a fruit) 4. (coll.) (of a fruit) squashy 5. (of a person) flabby 6. irresolute 7. Kangxi radical 130 (HSK 1)

各

gè — 1. each 2. every (HSK 3)

各

gè — 1. each 2. every (HSK 3)

奪取

duó qǔ — 1. to seize 2. to capture 3. to wrest control of (HSK 6)

它

tā — it (HSK 2)

的

de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)

生存

shēng cún — 1. to exist 2. to survive (HSK 3)

當

dāng — 1. to be 2. to act as 3. manage 4. withstand 5. when 6. during 7. ought 8. should 9. match equally 10. equal 11. same 12. obstruct 13. just at (a time or place) 14. on the spot 15. right 16. just at (HSK 2)

生存

shēng cún — 1. to exist 2. to survive (HSK 3)

時

Shí — surname Shi (HSK 3)

還是

hái shi — 1. still (as before) 2. had better 3. unexpectedly 4. or (HSK 1)

將

jiāng — 1. will 2. shall 3. to use 4. to take 5. to checkmate 6. just a short while ago 7. (introduces object of main verb, used in the same way as 把 (bǎ)) (HSK 5)

遭

zāo — 1. to suffer; to meet with (usu. misfortune) 2. classifier for events: time, turn, incident

踐踏

jiàn tà — to trample

將

jiāng — 1. will 2. shall 3. to use 4. to take 5. to checkmate 6. just a short while ago 7. (introduces object of main verb, used in the same way as 把 (bǎ)) (HSK 5)

遭

zāo — 1. to suffer; to meet with (usu. misfortune) 2. classifier for events: time, turn, incident

刪

shān — to delete (HSK 7-9)

刈

yì — mow

直至

zhí zhì — 1. lasting until 2. up till (the present) (HSK 7-9)

于

Yú — surname Yu (HSK 6)

死亡

sǐ wáng — 1. to die 2. death (HSK 6)

而

ér — 1. and 2. as well as 3. and so 4. but (not) 5. yet (not) 6. (indicates causal relation) 7. (indicates change of state) 8. (indicates contrast) (HSK 4)

朽

xiǔ — rotten

腐

fǔ — 1. decay 2. rotten

野草，根本不深，花叶不美，然而吸取露，吸取水，吸取陈死人的血和肉，各各夺取它的生存。当生存时，还是将遭践踏，将遭删刈，直至于死亡而朽腐。

但我坦然，欣然。But I am calm, and glad.我將大笑，我將歌唱。I will laugh aloud, I will sing.

但

dàn — 1. but; yet; however; still 2. merely; only; just (HSK 2)

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

坦然

tǎn rán — 1. calm 2. undisturbed (HSK 7-9)

欣然

xīn rán — 1. gladly 2. cheerfully

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

將

jiāng — 1. will 2. shall 3. to use 4. to take 5. to checkmate 6. just a short while ago 7. (introduces object of main verb, used in the same way as 把 (bǎ)) (HSK 5)

大笑

dà xiào — 1. to laugh heartily 2. a belly laugh

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

將

jiāng — 1. will 2. shall 3. to use 4. to take 5. to checkmate 6. just a short while ago 7. (introduces object of main verb, used in the same way as 把 (bǎ)) (HSK 5)

歌唱

gē chàng — to sing (HSK 6)

但我坦然，欣然。我将大笑，我将歌唱。

我自愛我的野草，但我憎惡這以野草作裝飾的地面。I love my wild grass for its own sake, but I detest this ground that is decorated with wild grass.

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

自愛

zì ài — 1. self-respect 2. self-love 3. self-regard 4. regard for oneself 5. to cherish one's good name 6. to take good care of one's health

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

的

de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)

野草

yě cǎo — 1. weeds 2. mistress or prostitute (old)

但

dàn — 1. but; yet; however; still 2. merely; only; just (HSK 2)

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

憎惡

zēng è — to hate evil

這

zhè — 1. (pronoun) this; these 2. (bound form) this; the (followed by a noun) 3. (bound form) this; these (followed by a classifier) (in this sense, commonly pr. (zhèi), esp. in Beijing) (HSK 1)

以

Yǐ — abbr. for Israel 以色列 (Yǐ sè liè) (HSK 7-9)

野草

yě cǎo — 1. weeds 2. mistress or prostitute (old)

作

zuō — 1. (bound form) worker 2. (bound form) workshop 3. (slang) troublesome; high-maintenance (person) (HSK 6)

裝飾

zhuāng shì — 1. to decorate 2. decoration 3. decorative 4. ornamental (HSK 5)

的

de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)

地面

dì miàn — 1. floor 2. ground 3. surface (HSK 4)

我自爱我的野草，但我憎恶这以野草作装饰的地面。

地火在地下運行，奔突；Underground fire runs and surges beneath the earth;熔岩一旦噴出，將燒盡一切野草，以及喬木，于是並且無可朽腐。once the lava erupts, it will burn up all the wild grass, and the trees too, and then there will be nothing left even to rot.

地

de — 1. -ly 2. structural particle: used before a verb or adjective, linking it to preceding modifying adverbial adjunct (HSK 1)

火

Huǒ — surname Huo (HSK 3)

在地下

zài dì xià — underground

運行

yùn xíng — 1. (of celestial bodies etc) to move along one's course 2. (fig.) to function; to be in operation 3. (of a train service etc) to operate; to run 4. (of a computer) to run (HSK 5)

奔

bēn — 1. to hurry 2. to rush 3. to run quickly 4. to elope (HSK 7-9)

突

tū — 1. to dash 2. to move forward quickly 3. to bulge 4. to protrude 5. to break through 6. to rush out 7. sudden 8. Taiwan pr. (tú)

熔岩

róng yán — (geology) lava

一旦

yī dàn — 1. in case (sth happens) 2. if 3. once (sth happens, then...) 4. when 5. in a short time 6. in one day (HSK 5)

噴出

pēn chū — 1. spout 2. spray 3. belch 4. to well up 5. to puff out 6. to spurt out

將

jiāng — 1. will 2. shall 3. to use 4. to take 5. to checkmate 6. just a short while ago 7. (introduces object of main verb, used in the same way as 把 (bǎ)) (HSK 5)

燒

shāo — 1. to burn; to set on fire 2. to heat (over a fire); to boil (water, tea etc) 3. to braise 4. to cook; to prepare food 5. to run a fever 6. fever 7. (coll.) to become full of oneself; to get carried away (HSK 4)

盡

jìn — 1. to use up 2. to exhaust 3. to end 4. to finish 5. to the utmost 6. exhausted 7. finished 8. to the limit (of sth) 9. all 10. entirely (HSK 6)

一切

yī qiè — 1. everything 2. every 3. all (HSK 3)

野草

yě cǎo — 1. weeds 2. mistress or prostitute (old)

以及

yǐ jí — and; as well as (HSK 4)

喬木

qiáo mù — tree, esp. with recognizable trunk (as opposed to 灌木 (guàn mù), bush or shrub)

于是

yú shì — thereupon; as a result; consequently; thus; hence (HSK 4)

並且

bìng qiě — and; besides; moreover; furthermore; in addition (HSK 3)

無可

wú kě — can't

朽

xiǔ — rotten

腐

fǔ — 1. decay 2. rotten

地火在地下运行，奔突；熔岩一旦喷出，将烧尽一切野草，以及乔木，于是并且无可朽腐。

但我坦然，欣然。But I am calm, and glad.我將大笑，我將歌唱。I will laugh aloud, I will sing.

但

dàn — 1. but; yet; however; still 2. merely; only; just (HSK 2)

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

坦然

tǎn rán — 1. calm 2. undisturbed (HSK 7-9)

欣然

xīn rán — 1. gladly 2. cheerfully

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

將

jiāng — 1. will 2. shall 3. to use 4. to take 5. to checkmate 6. just a short while ago 7. (introduces object of main verb, used in the same way as 把 (bǎ)) (HSK 5)

大笑

dà xiào — 1. to laugh heartily 2. a belly laugh

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

將

jiāng — 1. will 2. shall 3. to use 4. to take 5. to checkmate 6. just a short while ago 7. (introduces object of main verb, used in the same way as 把 (bǎ)) (HSK 5)

歌唱

gē chàng — to sing (HSK 6)

但我坦然，欣然。我将大笑，我将歌唱。

天地有如此靜穆，我不能大笑而且歌唱。Heaven and earth are so silent and still that I cannot laugh aloud and sing.天地即不如此靜穆，我或者也將不能。Even if heaven and earth were not so silent and still, I might still be unable to.我以這一叢野草，在明與暗，生與死，過去與未來之際，獻于友與仇，人與獸，愛者與不愛者之前作證。With this clump of wild grass, at the juncture of light and darkness, life and death, past and future, I offer it as testimony before friend and foe, man and beast, those who love and those who do not love.

天地

tiān dì — 1. heaven and earth 2. world 3. scope 4. field of activity (HSK 7-9)

有如

yǒu rú — 1. to be like sth 2. similar to 3. alike

此

cǐ — this; these (HSK 4)

靜

jìng — 1. still 2. calm 3. quiet 4. not moving (HSK 3)

穆

Mù — surname Mu

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

不能

bù néng — 1. cannot 2. must not 3. should not

大笑

dà xiào — 1. to laugh heartily 2. a belly laugh

而且

ér qiě — 1. (not only ...) but also 2. moreover; in addition; furthermore (HSK 2)

歌唱

gē chàng — to sing (HSK 6)

天地

tiān dì — 1. heaven and earth 2. world 3. scope 4. field of activity (HSK 7-9)

即

jí — 1. namely 2. that is 3. i.e. 4. prompt 5. at once 6. at present 7. even if 8. prompted (by the occasion) 9. to approach 10. to come into contact 11. to assume (office) 12. to draw near (HSK 7-9)

不如

bù rú — 1. not equal to; not as good as; inferior to 2. it would be better to (HSK 2)

此

cǐ — this; these (HSK 4)

靜

jìng — 1. still 2. calm 3. quiet 4. not moving (HSK 3)

穆

Mù — surname Mu

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

或者

huò zhě — 1. or 2. possibly; maybe; perhaps (HSK 2)

也

Yě — surname Ye (HSK 1)

將

jiāng — 1. will 2. shall 3. to use 4. to take 5. to checkmate 6. just a short while ago 7. (introduces object of main verb, used in the same way as 把 (bǎ)) (HSK 5)

不能

bù néng — 1. cannot 2. must not 3. should not

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

以

Yǐ — abbr. for Israel 以色列 (Yǐ sè liè) (HSK 7-9)

這

zhè — 1. (pronoun) this; these 2. (bound form) this; the (followed by a noun) 3. (bound form) this; these (followed by a classifier) (in this sense, commonly pr. (zhèi), esp. in Beijing) (HSK 1)

一

yī — 1. one 2. single 3. a (article) 4. as soon as 5. entire; whole; all; throughout 6. "one" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 1) 7. also pr. (yāo) for greater clarity when spelling out numbers digit by digit (HSK 1)

叢

cóng — 1. cluster 2. collection 3. collection of books 4. thicket

野草

yě cǎo — 1. weeds 2. mistress or prostitute (old)

在

zài — 1. to exist; to be alive 2. (of sb or sth) to be (located) at 3. (used before a verb to indicate an action in progress) (HSK 1)

明

Míng — 1. Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) 2. surname Ming 3. Ming (c. 2000 BC), fourth of the legendary Flame Emperors, 炎帝 (Yán dì) descended from Shennong 神農 (Shén nóng) Farmer God

與

yú — variant of 歟 (yú) (HSK 6)

暗

àn — 1. dark 2. to turn dark 3. secret; hidden 4. (literary) confused; ignorant (HSK 4)

生

shēng — 1. to grow; to give birth; to produce; to be born 2. to arise; to occur 3. to light (a fire) 4. to live; to be alive 5. life 6. raw; uncooked; unprocessed 7. unfamiliar; strange 8. (bound form) student; person engaged in a field 9. (bound form) male role in traditional opera 10. (bound form) life; lifetime 11. (bound form) means of livelihood 12. (bound form) very; intensely (as in 生疼 (shēng téng)) 13. (bound form) in a forced manner (as in 生拉硬拽 (shēng lā yìng zhuài)) (HSK 2)

與

yú — variant of 歟 (yú) (HSK 6)

死

sǐ — 1. to die 2. impassable 3. uncrossable 4. inflexible 5. rigid 6. extremely 7. damned (HSK 3)

過去

guò qù — 1. (in the) past; former; previous 2. to go over; to pass by (HSK 2)

與

yú — variant of 歟 (yú) (HSK 6)

未來

wèi lái — 1. future 2. tomorrow 3. classifier: 個 (gè) 4. approaching 5. coming 6. pending (HSK 4)

之際

zhī jì — 1. during 2. at the time of

獻

xiàn — 1. to offer 2. to present 3. to dedicate 4. to donate 5. to show 6. to put on display 7. worthy person (old) (HSK 5)

于

Yú — surname Yu (HSK 6)

友

yǒu — friend

與

yú — variant of 歟 (yú) (HSK 6)

仇

Qiú — surname Qiu (HSK 7-9)

人

rén — 1. person; people 2. classifier: 個 (gè), 位 (wèi), 名 (míng) (HSK 1)

與

yú — variant of 歟 (yú) (HSK 6)

獸

shòu — 1. beast 2. animal 3. beastly 4. bestial

愛

ài — 1. to love; to be fond of; to like 2. affection 3. to be inclined (to do sth); to tend to (happen) (HSK 1)

者

zhě — 1. (after a verb or adjective) one who (is) ... 2. (after a noun) person involved in ... 3. -er 4. -ist 5. (used after a number or 後 (hòu) or 前 (qián) to refer to sth mentioned previously) 6. (used after a term, to mark a pause before defining the term) 7. (old) (used at the end of a command) 8. (old) this

與

yú — variant of 歟 (yú) (HSK 6)

不

bù — 1. no; not so 2. (bound form) not; un- (HSK 1)

愛

ài — 1. to love; to be fond of; to like 2. affection 3. to be inclined (to do sth); to tend to (happen) (HSK 1)

者

zhě — 1. (after a verb or adjective) one who (is) ... 2. (after a noun) person involved in ... 3. -er 4. -ist 5. (used after a number or 後 (hòu) or 前 (qián) to refer to sth mentioned previously) 6. (used after a term, to mark a pause before defining the term) 7. (old) (used at the end of a command) 8. (old) this

之前

zhī qián — 1. before 2. prior to 3. ago 4. previously 5. beforehand (HSK 4)

作證

zuò zhèng — 1. to bear witness; to testify 2. to serve as evidence

天地有如此静穆，我不能大笑而且歌唱。天地即不如此静穆，我或者也将不能。我以这一丛野草，在明与暗，生与死，过去与未来之际，献于友与仇，人与兽，爱者与不爱者之前作证。

為我自己，為友與仇，人與獸，愛者與不愛者，我希望這野草的朽腐，火速到來。For my own sake, for friend and foe, man and beast, those who love and those who do not love, I hope for the decay of this wild grass to come swiftly.要不然，我先就未曾生存，這實在比死亡與朽腐更其不幸。Otherwise, I myself will never have truly lived, and that would be a greater misfortune than death and decay.

為

wéi — 1. as (in the capacity of) 2. to take sth as 3. to act as 4. to serve as 5. to behave as 6. to become 7. to be 8. to do 9. by (in the passive voice) (HSK 2)

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

自己

zì jǐ — oneself; (attributive) one's own (HSK 2)

為

wéi — 1. as (in the capacity of) 2. to take sth as 3. to act as 4. to serve as 5. to behave as 6. to become 7. to be 8. to do 9. by (in the passive voice) (HSK 2)

友

yǒu — friend

與

yú — variant of 歟 (yú) (HSK 6)

仇

Qiú — surname Qiu (HSK 7-9)

人

rén — 1. person; people 2. classifier: 個 (gè), 位 (wèi), 名 (míng) (HSK 1)

與

yú — variant of 歟 (yú) (HSK 6)

獸

shòu — 1. beast 2. animal 3. beastly 4. bestial

愛

ài — 1. to love; to be fond of; to like 2. affection 3. to be inclined (to do sth); to tend to (happen) (HSK 1)

者

zhě — 1. (after a verb or adjective) one who (is) ... 2. (after a noun) person involved in ... 3. -er 4. -ist 5. (used after a number or 後 (hòu) or 前 (qián) to refer to sth mentioned previously) 6. (used after a term, to mark a pause before defining the term) 7. (old) (used at the end of a command) 8. (old) this

與

yú — variant of 歟 (yú) (HSK 6)

不

bù — 1. no; not so 2. (bound form) not; un- (HSK 1)

愛

ài — 1. to love; to be fond of; to like 2. affection 3. to be inclined (to do sth); to tend to (happen) (HSK 1)

者

zhě — 1. (after a verb or adjective) one who (is) ... 2. (after a noun) person involved in ... 3. -er 4. -ist 5. (used after a number or 後 (hòu) or 前 (qián) to refer to sth mentioned previously) 6. (used after a term, to mark a pause before defining the term) 7. (old) (used at the end of a command) 8. (old) this

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

希望

xī wàng — 1. to hope 2. a hope; a wish (HSK 3)

這

zhè — 1. (pronoun) this; these 2. (bound form) this; the (followed by a noun) 3. (bound form) this; these (followed by a classifier) (in this sense, commonly pr. (zhèi), esp. in Beijing) (HSK 1)

野草

yě cǎo — 1. weeds 2. mistress or prostitute (old)

的

de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)

朽

xiǔ — rotten

腐

fǔ — 1. decay 2. rotten

火速

huǒ sù — 1. at top speed 2. at a tremendous lick (HSK 7-9)

到來

dào lái — 1. to arrive 2. arrival; advent (HSK 5)

要不然

yào bù rán — 1. otherwise 2. or else 3. or (HSK 6)

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

先

xiān — 1. beforehand; first; earlier 2. at first; originally 3. for the time being; for now 4. (prefix) my late (in referring to deceased relatives older than oneself) (HSK 1)

就

jiù — 1. (after a suppositional clause) in that case; then 2. (after a clause of action) as soon as; immediately after 3. (same as 就是 (jiù shì)) merely; nothing else but; simply; just; precisely; exactly 4. only; as little as 5. as much as; as many as 6. to approach; to move towards 7. to undertake; to engage in 8. (often followed by 著 (zhe)) taking advantage of 9. (of food) to go with 10. with regard to; concerning 11. (bound form) to reach; to attain (as in 一蹴而就 (yī cù ér jiù)) 12. (pattern: 就 (jiù) ... 也 (yě) ...) even if ... still ... 13. (pattern: 不 (bù) ... 就 (jiù) ...) if not ... then must be ... (HSK 1)

未曾

wèi céng — hasn't (or haven't); hasn't ever

生存

shēng cún — 1. to exist 2. to survive (HSK 3)

這

zhè — 1. (pronoun) this; these 2. (bound form) this; the (followed by a noun) 3. (bound form) this; these (followed by a classifier) (in this sense, commonly pr. (zhèi), esp. in Beijing) (HSK 1)

實在

shí zài — 1. really 2. actually 3. indeed 4. true 5. real 6. honest 7. dependable 8. (philosophy) reality (HSK 2)

比

Bǐ — 1. Belgium 2. Belgian 3. abbr. for 比利時 (Bǐ lì shí) (HSK 1)

死亡

sǐ wáng — 1. to die 2. death (HSK 6)

與

yú — variant of 歟 (yú) (HSK 6)

朽

xiǔ — rotten

腐

fǔ — 1. decay 2. rotten

更

gēng — 1. to change or replace 2. to experience 3. one of the five two-hour periods into which the night was formerly divided 4. watch (e.g. of a sentry or guard) (HSK 2)

其

qí — 1. his 2. her 3. its 4. their 5. that 6. such 7. it (refers to sth preceding it) (HSK 5)

不幸

bù xìng — 1. misfortune 2. adversity 3. unfortunate 4. sad 5. unfortunately 6. classifier: 個 (gè) (HSK 5)

为我自己，为友与仇，人与兽，爱者与不爱者，我希望这野草的朽腐，火速到来。要不然，我先就未曾生存，这实在比死亡与朽腐更其不幸。

去罷，野草，連著我的題辭！Go now, wild grass, together with my inscription!

去

qù — 1. to go 2. to go to (a place) 3. (of a time etc) last 4. just passed 5. to send 6. to remove 7. to get rid of 8. to reduce 9. to be apart from in space or time 10. to die (euphemism) 11. to play (a part) 12. (when used either before or after a verb) to go in order to do sth 13. (after a verb of motion indicates movement away from the speaker) 14. (used after certain verbs to indicate detachment or separation) (HSK 1)

罷

bà — 1. to stop 2. to cease 3. to dismiss 4. to suspend 5. to quit 6. to finish

野草

yě cǎo — 1. weeds 2. mistress or prostitute (old)

連

Lián — surname Lian (HSK 3)

著

zhāo — 1. a move in chess (Taiwan pr. (zhuó)) 2. trick; tactic 3. (dialect) okay; all right 4. (dialect) to put in; to add (HSK 1)

我

wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)

的

de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)

題

Tí — surname Ti (HSK 2)

辭

cí — 1. to resign 2. to dismiss 3. to decline 4. (literary) to take leave 5. (archaic poetic genre) ballad 6. variant of 詞 (cí) (HSK 7-9)

去罢，野草，连著我的题辞！

一九二七年四月二十六日April 26, 1927

一

yī — 1. one 2. single 3. a (article) 4. as soon as 5. entire; whole; all; throughout 6. "one" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 1) 7. also pr. (yāo) for greater clarity when spelling out numbers digit by digit (HSK 1)

九

jiǔ — 1. nine 2. 9 (HSK 1)

二七

Èr qī — see 二七區 (Èr qī Qū)

年

Nián — surname Nian (HSK 1)

四月

Sì yuè — 1. April 2. fourth month (of the lunar year)

二十

èr shí — twenty; 20

六

liù — 1. six 2. 6 (HSK 1)

日

rì — 1. (bound form) sun 2. day 3. day of the month 4. (bound form) Japan (abbr. for 日本 (Rì běn)) 5. (vulgar) to fuck; to have sex with (HSK 1)

魯迅記于廣州之白雲樓上Lu Xun, written in the White Cloud Tower, Guangzhou

魯迅

Lǔ Xùn — Lu Xun (1881-1936), one of the earliest and best-known modern Chinese writers

記

jì — 1. to record 2. to note 3. to memorize 4. to remember 5. mark 6. sign 7. classifier for blows, kicks, shots (HSK 1)

于

Yú — surname Yu (HSK 6)

廣州

Guǎng zhōu — see 廣州市 (Guǎng zhōu Shì)

之

zhī — 1. (possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的 (de)) 2. him 3. her 4. it (HSK 7-9)

白雲

Bái yún — see 白雲區 (Bái yún Qū)

樓上

lóu shàng — 1. upstairs 2. (Internet slang) previous poster in a forum thread (HSK 1)

鲁迅记于广州之白云楼上