Understanding "子夜吴歌·秋歌" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 子夜吴歌·秋歌
• Pinyin: Zǐyè Wú Gē · Qiū Gē
• Literal Meaning:
• 子夜 (Zǐyè): "Midnight"
• 吴歌 (Wú Gē): "Song of Wu" (referring to folk songs from the Wu region, modern-day Jiangsu and Zhejiang)
• 秋歌 (Qiū Gē): "Autumn Song"
• Primary Meaning:
  "Midnight Songs of Wu · Autumn Song" is a classical Chinese poem from the Tang Dynasty, written by the renowned poet Li Bai (李白). It is part of a series of four seasonal poems (春歌, 夏歌, 秋歌, 冬歌) depicting the lives and emotions of women in the Wu region during different seasons.

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
  This poem is a lyrical masterpiece that captures the melancholic beauty of autumn. It describes a woman longing for her husband, who is away at war, as she prepares winter clothes under the moonlight. The poem is often studied in Chinese literature classes and appreciated for its emotional depth and vivid imagery.

• Character Breakdown:

• 子夜 (Zǐyè): "Midnight" (子 = "midnight," 夜 = "night")
• 吴歌 (Wú Gē): "Song of Wu" (吴 = the Wu region, 歌 = "song")
• 秋歌 (Qiū Gē): "Autumn Song" (秋 = "autumn," 歌 = "song")

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 李白的《子夜吴歌·秋歌》描写了思妇对征夫的思念。
   Pinyin: Lǐ Bái de 《Zǐyè Wú Gē · Qiū Gē》 miáoxiěle sīfù duì zhēngfū de sīniàn.
   English: Li Bai's "Midnight Songs of Wu · Autumn Song" depicts a woman's longing for her husband away at war.

2. Chinese: 《子夜吴歌·秋歌》是唐代乐府诗的代表作之一。
   Pinyin: 《Zǐyè Wú Gē · Qiū Gē》 shì Táng dài yuèfǔ shī de dàibiǎo zuò zhī yī.
   English: "Midnight Songs of Wu · Autumn Song" is one of the representative works of Tang Dynasty Yuefu poetry.

3. Chinese: 这首诗中的“长安一片月，万户捣衣声”是千古名句。
   Pinyin: Zhè shǒu shī zhōng de “Cháng'ān yī piàn yuè, wàn hù dǎo yī shēng” shì qiāngǔ míngjù.
   English: The lines "Over Chang'an, a stretch of moonlight; In ten thousand houses, the sound of pounding clothes" from this poem are celebrated for eternity.

Cultural Notes

• The "Midnight Songs of Wu" series reflects the folk traditions of the Wu region, where women often sang while working.
• The autumn poem highlights the Tang Dynasty's military conscription system, which separated families for long periods.
• Li Bai's use of natural imagery (e.g., moonlight, autumn wind) symbolizes the emotional state of the protagonist.

Conclusion

"子夜吴歌·秋歌" is a poignant autumn-themed poem by Li Bai, blending folk song traditions with classical poetry. It beautifully captures longing and resilience, making it a timeless piece in Chinese literature. Remember its key themes: midnight, the Wu region, and autumn emotions.