Ci (词) |
Learn Chinese - History and Culture | |||
Ci (cí 词) is a kind of lyric Chinese poetry. For speakers of English, the word "ci" is pronounced somewhat like "tsuh". It is also known as Changduanju (cháng duǎn jù 长短句 "lines of irregular lengths") and Shiyu (shī yú 诗馀). Typically the number of characters in each line and the arrangement of tones were determined by one of around 800 set patterns, each associated with a particular title, called cipai (cí pái 词牌). Originally they were written to be sung to a tune of that title, with set rhythm, rhyme, and tempo. Therefore, the title may have nothing to do with its contents, and it is common for several ci to appear to have the same title. Some ci would have a "subtitle" (or a commentary, sometimes as long as a paragraph) indicating the contents. Sometimes, for the sake of clarity, a ci is listed under its title plus its first line.
Ci most often express feelings of desire, often in an adopted persona, but the greatest exponents of the form such as Li Houzhu (lǐ hòu zhǔ 李后主) and Su Shi (sū shì 苏轼) used it to address a wide range of topics. History Cipai Appreciation 《江城子》 十年生死两茫茫,不思量,自难忘。千里孤坟,何处话凄凉。纵使相逢应不识,尘满面,鬓如霜。 夜来幽梦忽还乡,小轩窗,正梳妆。相顾无言,唯有泪千行。料得年年肠断处,明月夜,短松冈。 To the Tune of Riverside City - For ten years here I wander and there you lie In the title of this ci, "the Tune of Riverside City" is the cipai, followed by the first sentence of the poem. Su Shi got married when he was 19, his wife 16. His wife died when she was only 27. Because of his government duties, Su Shi had moved to many different places in China, all far away from his hometown. One night in early 1075, about 10 years after her death, Su Shi dreamed of his wife, then composed this famous ci.
Li Houzhu (lǐ hòu zhǔ 李后主)
|
History and Culture |
Chinese Idiom |
Chinese Proverbs |
Chinese Literature |
Chinese Movies |
Practical Chinese |
Chinese Cuisine |