Lovesickness 相思 王维 (Wang Wei)

Tang poems 唐诗 >> 相思

Xiāngsī
 相思

王维 (Wang Wei)   唐朝 Tang Dynasty (618-907)

Hóngdòu shēng nánguó, chūn lái fā jǐ zhī?

红豆生南国，春来发几枝？

Yuàn jūn duō cǎixié, cǐ wù zuì xiāngsī.

愿君多采撷，此物最相思。

★ 王维：Wang Wei (699–761) was a Chinese poet, musician, painter, and politician.
1. This poem was dedicated for Li Guinian(李龟年) who was a famous court musician. During the An-Shi Rebellion(安史之乱 755-763), Li Guinian wandered far from the capital Chang'an(长安). He was then stranded in the South. He often sang this poem for audience. In his performances, people were deeply moved in tears.
2. 红豆： Ormosia (love pea, red bean), a symbol of lovesickness
3. 生：grow
4. 南国：the South
5. 春：spring
6. 发：sprout; generate
7. 愿：hope; wish; desire
8. 君：gentleman; Mr.
9. 采撷：pick
10. 相思：lovesick

Love bean trees grow in the South.
The new branches sprout as the spring comes.
Pick an armful of them, my friend.
They are the symbols of my lovesick heart.