Understanding "送杜少府之任蜀州" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 送杜少府之任蜀州
• Pinyin: Sòng Dù Shàofǔ zhī Rèn Shǔzhōu
• Literal Meaning: "Seeing Off Vice-Prefect Du to His Post in Shu Prefecture"
• Primary Meaning: This is the title of a famous farewell poem by the Tang Dynasty poet Wang Bo. It expresses the poet's feelings as he bids farewell to a friend departing for a distant post.

2. In-depth Explanation

Context and Usage

"送杜少府之任蜀州" is not a standalone word but the title of a well-known Tang Dynasty poem. It reflects the themes of friendship, separation, and encouragement during partings in ancient Chinese culture. The poem is often studied in Chinese literature classes and is a classic example of farewell poetry (送别诗, sòngbié shī).

Character Breakdown

• 送 (sòng): "to see off," "to send"
• 杜 (Dù): A surname (here referring to Du ShaoFu, the poet's friend)
• 少府 (shàofǔ): A Tang Dynasty official title, roughly equivalent to a vice-prefect
• 之 (zhī): A classical Chinese particle indicating possession or connection
• 任 (rèn): "to assume a post," "to take office"
• 蜀州 (Shǔzhōu): Shu Prefecture, an ancient name for a region in modern-day Sichuan Province

3. Example Sentences

Since "送杜少府之任蜀州" is a poem title, it is not used in everyday sentences. However, here are examples of how one might reference it:

1. Chinese: 王勃的《送杜少府之任蜀州》是一首著名的送别诗。
   Pinyin: Wáng Bó de "Sòng Dù Shàofǔ zhī Rèn Shǔzhōu" shì yī shǒu zhùmíng de sòngbié shī.
   English: Wang Bo's "Seeing Off Vice-Prefect Du to His Post in Shu Prefecture" is a famous farewell poem.

2. Chinese: 我们在语文课上学习了《送杜少府之任蜀州》。
   Pinyin: Wǒmen zài yǔwén kè shàng xuéxí le "Sòng Dù Shàofǔ zhī Rèn Shǔzhōu."
   English: We studied "Seeing Off Vice-Prefect Du to His Post in Shu Prefecture" in Chinese class.

3. Chinese: 这首诗的最后两句是“海内存知己，天涯若比邻。”
   Pinyin: Zhè shǒu shī de zuìhòu liǎng jù shì "Hǎinèi cún zhījǐ, tiānyá ruò bǐlín."
   English: The last two lines of this poem are, "If you have friends who know your heart, distance cannot keep you apart."

Cultural Notes

• This poem is part of the Tang Dynasty's rich literary tradition, where farewell poems were common due to the frequent transfers of officials to distant posts.
• The famous line "海内存知己，天涯若比邻" (Hǎinèi cún zhījǐ, tiānyá ruò bǐlín) is often quoted to express that true friendship transcends physical distance.
• Wang Bo, one of the "Four Greats of Early Tang," was known for his eloquent and emotionally resonant poetry.

Conclusion

"送杜少府之任蜀州" is a classic Chinese poem that beautifully captures the spirit of friendship and parting. While it is not a word used in daily conversation, it holds significant cultural and literary value. Remembering its famous lines can deepen your appreciation of Chinese poetry and history.