赠(zènɡ)刘(liú)景(jǐnɡ)文(wén)

苏(sū)轼(shì)〔宋(sònɡ)代(dài)〕

荷(hé)尽(jìn)已(yǐ)无(wú)擎(qínɡ)雨(yǔ)盖(ɡài),

菊(jú)残(cán)犹(yóu)有(yǒu)傲(ào)霜(shuānɡ)枝(zhī)。

一(yì)年(nián)好(hǎo)景(jǐnɡ)君(jūn)须(xū)记(jì),

最(zuì)是(shì)橙(chénɡ)黄(huánɡ)橘(jú)绿(lǜ)时(shí)。

Explanation of Ancient Chinese Poetry

The lotus flowers have withered, and the rain-supporting lotus leaves have also dried up; only the stalks of faded chrysanthemums still brave the cold and frost.

You must remember the best time of the year, which is the late autumn and early winter when oranges are golden and oranges are green.

Annotations

荷尽 (Hè jìn)：The lotus flowers wither and fade.

擎 (Qíng)：To hold up, lift.

雨盖 (Yǔ gài)：Old term for an umbrella, here used metaphorically to describe the spread of lotus leaves.

菊残 (Jú cán)：The chrysanthemums wither.

傲霜 (Ào shuāng)：Not afraid of frost and cold, strong and unyielding.

君 (Jūn)：Originally referred to ancient kings, later generalized as a respectful title for men, meaning “you”.

须记 (Xū jì)：Must remember.

最是 (Zuì shì)：Also written as 正是 (Zhèng shì).

橙黄橘绿时 (Chéng huáng jú lǜ shí)：Refers to the time when oranges turn yellow and citrus fruits are still greenish-yellow, referring to the late autumn to early winter of the lunar calendar.

Creation Background

This poem was written in the early winter of 1090 (the fifth year of the Yuanyou period), when Su Shi was serving in Hangzhou and Liu Jisun, the commander of the armed forces of the two Zhejiang provinces, was also there. The two had close ties and deep friendships. The poet regarded Liu Jingwen as a national talent and recommended him in the “Petition for the Promotion of Liu Jisun,” and gifted this poem to him.