The Butterfly Lovers

Preview version — Chinese review in progress.

HSK 7–9 · Level 8 About 14 minutes

梁山伯与祝英台

Liáng Shānbó yǔ Zhù Yīngtái

Story

，，，。
yìqiān duō nián qián, yǒu yí wèi jiào Zhù Yīngtái de gūniang, cōngming hàoxué, yìxīn xiǎng qù shūyuàn dúshū.
More than a thousand years ago there was a girl called Zhu Yingtai, clever and studious, who longed to go and study at an academy.
Words in this sentence
一千 yìqiān
one thousand
多 duō
many, a lot Dictionary
年 nián
year Dictionary
前 qián
front; before Dictionary
有 yǒu
to have; there is Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
位 wèi
(polite measure word for people) Dictionary
叫 jiào
to be called; to call Dictionary
祝英台 Zhù Yīngtái
Zhu Yingtai (name)
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
姑娘 gūniang
girl, young woman Dictionary
聪明 cōngming
clever Dictionary
好学 hàoxué
eager to learn Dictionary
一心 yìxīn
wholeheartedly Dictionary
想 xiǎng
to want to, would like to; to think Dictionary
去 qù
to go Dictionary
书院 shūyuàn
academy Dictionary
读书 dúshū
to study Dictionary
，。：，。
kěshì nà shíhou, nǚháizi shì bù néng jìn xuétáng de. tā xiǎng le yí gè bànfǎ: dǎban chéng nán de, qù Hángzhōu qiúxué.
But in those days girls could not attend school. She came up with a plan: to dress as a man and go to Hangzhou to study.
Words in this sentence
可是 kěshì
but Dictionary
那 nà
that Dictionary
时候 shíhou
time, moment (……的时候: when …) Dictionary
女孩子 nǚháizi
girl Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
不 bù
not Dictionary
能 néng
can, be able to Dictionary
进 jìn
into; to enter Dictionary
学堂 xuétáng
school Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
想 xiǎng
to want to, would like to; to think Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
个 gè
(measure word for people and things) Dictionary
办法 bànfǎ
way, solution Dictionary
打扮 dǎban
to dress up Dictionary
成 chéng
to become; to succeed Dictionary
男 nán
male Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
去 qù
to go Dictionary
杭州 Hángzhōu
Hangzhou Dictionary
求学 qiúxué
to study Dictionary
，。，。
lù shàng, tā yùdào le yí gè qù tóng yì suǒ shūyuàn de shūshēng Liáng Shānbó. liǎng rén yíjiànrúgù, jiù zài lùbiān jiébài chéng le xiōngdì.
On the way she met a scholar, Liang Shanbo, heading for the same academy. They got on like old friends at once and swore brotherhood by the roadside.
Words in this sentence
路 lù
road, street Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
遇到 yùdào
to meet, to come across Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
个 gè
(measure word for people and things) Dictionary
去 qù
to go Dictionary
同 tóng
same Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
所 suǒ
measure word for schools Dictionary
书院 shūyuàn
academy Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
书生 shūshēng
scholar Dictionary
梁山伯 Liáng Shānbó
Liang Shanbo (name)
两 liǎng
two Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
一见如故 yíjiànrúgù
to get on like old friends at once Dictionary
就 jiù
then, right away Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
路边 lùbiān
roadside Dictionary
结拜 jiébài
to become sworn brothers Dictionary
成 chéng
to become; to succeed Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
兄弟 xiōngdì
brothers Dictionary
，，，。
zài shūyuàn de sān nián lǐ, tāmen tóng zhuō dúshū, tóng wū shēnghuó, gǎnqíng yuèláiyuè shēn.
During their three years at the academy they studied at the same desk and shared a room, and their bond grew ever deeper.
Words in this sentence
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
书院 shūyuàn
academy Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
三 sān
three Dictionary
年 nián
year Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
他们 tāmen
they, them Dictionary
同 tóng
same Dictionary
桌 zhuō
table Dictionary
读书 dúshū
to study Dictionary
同 tóng
same Dictionary
屋 wū
room Dictionary
生活 shēnghuó
life Dictionary
感情 gǎnqíng
feelings, bond Dictionary
越来越 yuèláiyuè
more and more Dictionary
深 shēn
deep Dictionary
，。，“”。
Liáng Shānbó wéirén lǎoshi, shǐzhōng méiyǒu fāxiàn Zhù Yīngtái shì nǚ de. yǒu tóngxué kāi wánxiào shuō Yīngtái zhǎng de tài xiùqi le, tā hái tì“ xiōngdì” shēngqì.
Honest Liang Shanbo never realised Zhu Yingtai was a woman. When a classmate joked that Yingtai looked too delicate, he even got angry on his "brother's" behalf.
Words in this sentence
梁山伯 Liáng Shānbó
Liang Shanbo (name)
为人 wéirén
as a person Dictionary
老实 lǎoshi
honest Dictionary
始终 shǐzhōng
all along Dictionary
没有 méiyǒu
there is not; does not have Dictionary
发现 fāxiàn
to find, to discover Dictionary
祝英台 Zhù Yīngtái
Zhu Yingtai (name)
是 shì
to be Dictionary
女 nǚ
female Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
有 yǒu
to have; there is Dictionary
同学 tóngxué
classmate Dictionary
开 kāi
to drive; to open Dictionary
玩笑 wánxiào
joke (开玩笑: to joke) Dictionary
说 shuō
to say, to speak Dictionary
英台 Yīngtái
Yingtai (name)
长 zhǎng
to grow; (长得) to look Dictionary
得 de
(links a verb to how it is done) Dictionary
太 tài
too, excessively Dictionary
秀气 xiùqi
delicate, refined Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
还 hái
also, in addition Dictionary
替 tì
for, on behalf of Dictionary
兄弟 xiōngdì
brothers Dictionary
生气 shēngqì
angry Dictionary
，，。。
sān nián hòu, Zhù Yīngtái jiēdào jiāli de xìn, zhǐhǎo huíjiā. Liáng Shānbó sòng le tā shíbā lǐ lù.
After three years Zhu Yingtai received a letter from home and had no choice but to return. Liang Shanbo walked eighteen li with her to see her off.
Words in this sentence
三 sān
three Dictionary
年 nián
year Dictionary
后 hòu
after, later Dictionary
祝英台 Zhù Yīngtái
Zhu Yingtai (name)
接到 jiēdào
to receive Dictionary
家里 jiāli
at home, the family Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
信 xìn
letter Dictionary
只好 zhǐhǎo
have no choice but to Dictionary
回家 huíjiā
to go home Dictionary
梁山伯 Liáng Shānbó
Liang Shanbo (name)
送 sòng
to take (someone somewhere); to give Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
十八 shíbā
eighteen Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
路 lù
road, street Dictionary
，、，：“，？”
yílù shàng, tā kànjiàn jǐng lǐ de dàoyǐng, hé shàng de yuānyang, jiù yí cì yòu yí cì de ànshì:“ nǐ kàn, wǒmen liǎ xiàng bú xiàng yí duì fūqī?”
All the way, seeing their reflections in a well and mandarin ducks on the river, she hinted again and again: "Look, don't we two look like a married couple?"
Words in this sentence
一路 yílù
all the way Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
看见 kànjiàn
to see Dictionary
井 jǐng
well Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
倒影 dàoyǐng
reflection Dictionary
河 hé
river Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
鸳鸯 yuānyang
mandarin ducks Dictionary
就 jiù
then, right away Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
次 cì
time (occurrence) Dictionary
又 yòu
and also, on top of that Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
次 cì
time (occurrence) Dictionary
地 de
(turns a description into how something is done) Dictionary
暗示 ànshì
to hint Dictionary
你 nǐ
you Dictionary
看 kàn
to look, to watch, to read Dictionary
我们 wǒmen
we, us Dictionary
俩 liǎ
the two of Dictionary
像 xiàng
to look like Dictionary
不 bú
not Dictionary
像 xiàng
to look like Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
对 duì
correct, right Dictionary
夫妻 fūqī
husband and wife Dictionary
，：“，。”
kě Liáng Shānbó zěnme yě tīng bù dǒng, hái xiào tā shuō:“ xiándì, nǐ yòu zài kāi wánxiào le.”
But Liang Shanbo just couldn't understand, and laughed at her: "Little brother, you're joking again."
Words in this sentence
可 kě
(adds emphasis); but Dictionary
梁山伯 Liáng Shānbó
Liang Shanbo (name)
怎么 zěnme
how Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
听 tīng
to listen, to hear Dictionary
不 bù
not Dictionary
懂 dǒng
to understand Dictionary
还 hái
also, in addition Dictionary
笑 xiào
to laugh, to smile Dictionary
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
说 shuō
to say, to speak Dictionary
贤弟 xiándì
little brother (polite) Dictionary
你 nǐ
you Dictionary
又 yòu
and also, on top of that Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
开 kāi
to drive; to open Dictionary
玩笑 wánxiào
joke (开玩笑: to joke) Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
，，“”，，。
fēnshǒu qián, Zhù Yīngtái zhǐhǎo shuō, jiā lǐ yǒu gè“ jiǔmèi”, zhǎng de hé zìjǐ yìmú-yíyàng, yuànyì zuòméi bǎ tā jià gěi tā.
Before they parted, Zhu Yingtai could only say that at home she had a "ninth sister" who looked exactly like her, and she offered to arrange for her to marry him.
Words in this sentence
分手 fēnshǒu
to part Dictionary
前 qián
front; before Dictionary
祝英台 Zhù Yīngtái
Zhu Yingtai (name)
只好 zhǐhǎo
have no choice but to Dictionary
说 shuō
to say, to speak Dictionary
家 jiā
home, family Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
有 yǒu
to have; there is Dictionary
个 gè
(measure word for people and things) Dictionary
九妹 jiǔmèi
ninth sister
长 zhǎng
to grow; (长得) to look Dictionary
得 de
(links a verb to how it is done) Dictionary
和 hé
and Dictionary
自己 zìjǐ
oneself Dictionary
一模一样 yìmú-yíyàng
exactly the same Dictionary
愿意 yuànyì
to be willing Dictionary
做媒 zuòméi
to act as matchmaker Dictionary
把 bǎ
(moves the object before the verb) Dictionary
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
嫁 jià
to marry (a man) Dictionary
给 gěi
to give; for Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
，“”，，。
děng Liáng Shānbó zhōngyú míngbai guòlai,“ jiǔmèi” jiùshì Yīngtái běnrén, gǎn dào zhù jiā qù tíqīn shí, yǐjīng wǎn le.
By the time Liang Shanbo finally realised that the "ninth sister" was Yingtai herself and hurried to the Zhu family to propose, it was too late.
Words in this sentence
等 děng
to wait (for) Dictionary
梁山伯 Liáng Shānbó
Liang Shanbo (name)
终于 zhōngyú
finally, at last Dictionary
明白 míngbai
clear (看个明白: find out for oneself) Dictionary
过来 guòlai
to come over Dictionary
九妹 jiǔmèi
ninth sister
就是 jiùshì
is exactly, is right Dictionary
英台 Yīngtái
Yingtai (name)
本人 běnrén
oneself, in person Dictionary
赶 gǎn
to drive away Dictionary
到 dào
to arrive Dictionary
祝 zhù
to wish Dictionary
家 jiā
home, family Dictionary
去 qù
to go Dictionary
提亲 tíqīn
to propose marriage Dictionary
时 shí
when, at the time of Dictionary
已经 yǐjīng
already Dictionary
晚 wǎn
late Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
。，，。
zhù fù yǐjīng bǎ nǚ'ér xǔpèi gěi le yǒuqián de mǎ jiā. liǎng rén zài lóutái shàng xiānghuì, xiāngduì liúlèi, què wúnéngwéilì.
Her father had already betrothed her to the wealthy Ma family. The two met on a terrace and wept facing each other, but could do nothing.
Words in this sentence
祝 zhù
to wish Dictionary
父 fù
father Dictionary
已经 yǐjīng
already Dictionary
把 bǎ
(moves the object before the verb) Dictionary
女儿 nǚ'ér
daughter Dictionary
许配 xǔpèi
to betroth Dictionary
给 gěi
to give; for Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
有钱 yǒuqián
rich Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
马 mǎ
horse Dictionary
家 jiā
home, family Dictionary
两 liǎng
two Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
楼台 lóutái
terrace Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
相会 xiānghuì
to meet Dictionary
相对 xiāngduì
facing each other Dictionary
流泪 liúlèi
to shed tears Dictionary
却 què
but, yet Dictionary
无能为力 wúnéngwéilì
powerless Dictionary
，，。
Liáng Shānbó huíqu yǐhòu, yí bìng bù qǐ, méi guò duōjiǔ jiù qùshì le.
After Liang Shanbo went home he fell ill and never recovered, dying soon after.
Words in this sentence
梁山伯 Liáng Shānbó
Liang Shanbo (name)
回去 huíqu
to go back Dictionary
以后 yǐhòu
after, later Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
病 bìng
illness Dictionary
不 bù
not Dictionary
起 qǐ
up (after a verb: 拿起 pick up) Dictionary
没 méi
not (in the past) Dictionary
过 guò
to celebrate, to spend (a holiday) Dictionary
多久 duōjiǔ
how long (没多久: before long) Dictionary
就 jiù
then, right away Dictionary
去世 qùshì
to pass away Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
，，，。
Zhù Yīngtái chūjià nà tiān, huājiào jīngguò Liáng Shānbó de fénmù, tūrán kuángfēngdàzuò, jiàozi zěnme yě tái bú dòng le.
On Zhu Yingtai's wedding day, as the bridal sedan passed Liang Shanbo's grave, a violent wind suddenly rose and the sedan could no longer be carried.
Words in this sentence
祝英台 Zhù Yīngtái
Zhu Yingtai (name)
出嫁 chūjià
to get married (of a woman) Dictionary
那 nà
that Dictionary
天 tiān
day Dictionary
花轿 huājiào
bridal sedan Dictionary
经过 jīngguò
to pass by Dictionary
梁山伯 Liáng Shānbó
Liang Shanbo (name)
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
坟墓 fénmù
grave Dictionary
突然 tūrán
suddenly Dictionary
狂风大作 kuángfēngdàzuò
a violent wind rises
轿子 jiàozi
sedan chair Dictionary
怎么 zěnme
how Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
抬 tái
to raise Dictionary
不 bú
not Dictionary
动 dòng
to move Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
，。，，，。
Zhù Yīngtái zǒu xià huājiào, chuān zhe hóng jiàyī pū dào fénqián dàkū. zhèshí, yì shēng léixiǎng, fénmù liè kāi le, tā háobùyóuyù de tiào le jìnqu.
Zhu Yingtai stepped down from the sedan and, in her red wedding dress, threw herself on the grave, weeping. Then, with a clap of thunder, the grave split open and she leapt in without hesitation.
Words in this sentence
祝英台 Zhù Yīngtái
Zhu Yingtai (name)
走 zǒu
to walk, to go; to leave Dictionary
下 xià
next; down Dictionary
花轿 huājiào
bridal sedan Dictionary
穿 chuān
to wear Dictionary
着 zhe
(-ing: an ongoing state) Dictionary
红 hóng
red Dictionary
嫁衣 jiàyī
wedding dress
扑 pū
to throw oneself onto Dictionary
到 dào
to arrive Dictionary
坟前 fénqián
in front of the grave
大哭 dàkū
to weep loudly Dictionary
这时 zhèshí
at this moment Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
声 shēng
sound, noise Dictionary
雷响 léixiǎng
clap of thunder
坟墓 fénmù
grave Dictionary
裂 liè
to split Dictionary
开 kāi
to drive; to open Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
毫不犹豫 háobùyóuyù
without hesitation Dictionary
地 de
(turns a description into how something is done) Dictionary
跳 tiào
to jump Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
进去 jìnqu
to go in Dictionary
，，，。
fēng tíng yǔ zhù yǐhòu, cóng fén lǐ fēi chū le yí duì měilì de húdié, zài huācóng zhōng xíngyǐngbùlí, yìqǐ fēi xiàng le yuǎnfāng.
When the wind and rain had stopped, a pair of beautiful butterflies flew out of the grave, inseparable among the flowers, and flew off together into the distance.
Words in this sentence
风 fēng
wind Dictionary
停 tíng
to stop Dictionary
雨 yǔ
rain Dictionary
住 zhù
to stay, to live Dictionary
以后 yǐhòu
after, later Dictionary
从 cóng
from Dictionary
坟 fén
grave Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
飞 fēi
to fly Dictionary
出 chū
out Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
对 duì
correct, right Dictionary
美丽 měilì
beautiful Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
蝴蝶 húdié
butterfly Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
花丛 huācóng
flowers, flower bed Dictionary
中 zhōng
in, among Dictionary
形影不离 xíngyǐngbùlí
inseparable Dictionary
一起 yìqǐ
together Dictionary
飞 fēi
to fly Dictionary
向 xiàng
to, towards Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
远方 yuǎnfāng
the distance Dictionary
“”，“”，，。
zhè gè gùshi bèi chēngwéi Zhōngguó de“ Luómì'ōu yǔ Zhūlìyè”, hòulái hái bèi xiě chéng le zhùmíng de xiǎotíqín xiézòuqǔ“ Liáng-Zhù”, zhídào jīntiān, hái chángcháng zài yīnyuèhuì shàng yǎnzòu.
This story is called China's Romeo and Juliet; it was later made into the famous violin concerto The Butterfly Lovers, which is still often played in concerts today.
Words in this sentence
这 zhè
this Dictionary
个 gè
(measure word for people and things) Dictionary
故事 gùshi
story Dictionary
被 bèi
(passive: by) Dictionary
称为 chēngwéi
to be called Dictionary
中国 Zhōngguó
China Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
罗密欧 Luómì'ōu
Romeo (name) Dictionary
与 yǔ
and Dictionary
朱丽叶 Zhūlìyè
Juliet (name) Dictionary
后来 hòulái
later, afterwards Dictionary
还 hái
also, in addition Dictionary
被 bèi
(passive: by) Dictionary
写 xiě
to write Dictionary
成 chéng
to become; to succeed Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
著名 zhùmíng
famous Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
小提琴 xiǎotíqín
violin Dictionary
协奏曲 xiézòuqǔ
concerto Dictionary
梁祝 Liáng-Zhù
The Butterfly Lovers (a concerto) Dictionary
直到 zhídào
until Dictionary
今天 jīntiān
today Dictionary
还 hái
also, in addition Dictionary
常常 chángcháng
often Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
音乐会 yīnyuèhuì
concert Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
演奏 yǎnzòu
to perform (music) Dictionary

Grammar focus

怎么也……不…… "no matter how, just can't"
只好 "have no choice but to"

Vocabulary

打扮dǎbanto dress up Dictionary
暗示ànshìto hint Dictionary
提亲tíqīnto propose marriage Dictionary
无能为力wúnéngwéilìpowerless Dictionary
花轿huājiàobridal sedan Dictionary
协奏曲xiézòuqǔconcerto Dictionary

Questions

Writing task

你知道哪些别的国家的爱情悲剧？和梁祝的故事比较一下。

Nǐ zhīdao nǎxiē biéde guójiā de àiqíng bēijù? Hé Liáng-Zhù de gùshi bǐjiào yíxià.

Which tragic love stories from other countries do you know? Compare one with the Butterfly Lovers.

Tips

不同的是…… points out the difference.

Try it yourself first, then show the model answer

我想到了罗密欧与朱丽叶。两个故事里，家人都反对，相爱的人最后都死了。不同的是，梁祝变成了蝴蝶，给悲剧留下了一点儿希望。

Wǒ xiǎngdào le Luómì'ōu yǔ Zhūlìyè. Liǎng gè gùshi lǐ, jiārén dōu fǎnduì, xiāng'ài de rén zuìhòu dōu sǐ le. Bùtóng de shì, Liáng-Zhù biànchéng le húdié, gěi bēijù liú xià le yìdiǎnr xīwàng.

I thought of Romeo and Juliet. In both stories the families object and the lovers die in the end. The difference is that Liang and Zhu become butterflies, which leaves a little hope in the tragedy.

About the HSK 7–9 band