山(shān)行(xínɡ)

杜(dù)牧(mù)〔唐(tánɡ)代(dài)〕

远(yuǎn)上(shànɡ)寒(hán)山(shān)石(shí)径(jìnɡ)斜(xié),

白(bái)云(yún)生(shēnɡ)处(chù)有(yǒu)人(rén)家(jiā)。

停(tínɡ)车(chē)坐(zuò)爱(ài)枫(fēnɡ)林(lín)晚(wǎn),

霜(shuānɡ)叶(yè)红(hónɡ)于(yú)二(èr)月(yuè)花(huā)。

Explanation of Ancient Chinese Poetry

In late autumn, ascending the mountain along a distant, slanted, cobblestone path, there are still a few households where the clouds originate.I halt my cart due to my love for the late autumn scenery of maple woods. The maple leaves, frostbitten in late autumn, are even redder than the flowers in February.

Annotations

山行 (Shān xíng)：To walk in the mountains.

远上 (Yuǎn shàng)：To ascend the distant.

寒山 (Hán shān)：Mountains in deep autumn.

石径 (Shí jìng)：A path paved with stones.

斜 (Xié)：To be inclined.

深 (Shēn)：Another version uses 生 (Shēng). (“生” can be interpreted as where white clouds form; “深” can be interpreted as deep within the mist.)

坐 (Zuò)：Because.

霜叶 (Shuāng yè)：Maple leaves that turn red after the cold frost of late autumn.

枫林晚 (Fēng lín wǎn)：Maple forest at dusk.

红于 (Hóng yú)：Redder than… This refers to the frost-covered leaves being redder than the flowers of February.

Creation Background

This poem records a trip to the distant mountains, and the specific creation time is difficult to ascertain. The author climbed the mountain to enjoy the scenery in late autumn and was so immersed in the picturesque beauty that he created this poem to record it.