绝(jué)句(jù)

杜(dù)甫(fǔ)〔唐(tánɡ)代(dài)〕

迟(chí)日(rì)江(jiānɡ)山(shān)丽(lì),

春(chūn)风(fēnɡ)花(huā)草(cǎo)香(xiānɡ)。

泥(ní)融(rónɡ)飞(fēi)燕(yàn)子(zǐ),

沙(shā)暖(nuǎn)睡(shuì)鸳(yuān)鸯(yānɡ)。

Explanation of Ancient Chinese Poetry

The rivers and mountains bathed in spring sunshine are so beautiful, with the spring breeze bringing a fragrance of flowers.

The soil has become soft, and swallows build nests with mud, while pairs of mandarin ducks sleep on the warm sand.

Annotations

迟日（chí rì）：The days grow longer in spring, hence the term “delayed sun”.
泥融（ní róng）：Here it refers to the moist and nourishing soil.
鸳鸯（yuān yāng）：A type of waterbird, often seen in pairs.

Creation Background

This poem was written in the late spring of AD 764, during the early period of the poet’s exile to the southwest. At that time, Du Fu was in his cottage in Sichuan.