The Dragon Gate and the ordinary fish

Preview version — Chinese review in progress.

HSK 7–9 · Level 9 About 16 minutes

龙门与凡鱼

Lóngmén yǔ fán yú

Story

，，，，。
nà nián chūntiān, shūshēng Hán Qīng dì-sān cì luòbǎng, cóng Cháng'ān huí jiā, zǒu dào Huáng Hé biān de Lóngmén dùkǒu shí, tiān yǐjīng kuài hēi le.
That spring the scholar Han Qing failed the examination for the third time. Heading home from Chang'an, he reached the Dragon Gate ferry on the Yellow River as night was falling.
Words in this sentence
那 nà
that Dictionary
年 nián
year Dictionary
春天 chūntiān
spring Dictionary
书生 shūshēng
scholar Dictionary
韩青 Hán Qīng
Han Qing (name)
第三 dì-sān
third
次 cì
time (occurrence) Dictionary
落榜 luòbǎng
to fail an (imperial) examination Dictionary
从 cóng
from Dictionary
长安 Cháng'ān
Chang'an (the Tang capital) Dictionary
回 huí
to return, to go back Dictionary
家 jiā
home, family Dictionary
走 zǒu
to walk, to go; to leave Dictionary
到 dào
to arrive Dictionary
黄河 Huáng Hé
the Yellow River Dictionary
边 biān
side, bank Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
龙门 Lóngmén
the Dragon Gate Dictionary
渡口 dùkǒu
ferry crossing Dictionary
时 shí
when, at the time of Dictionary
天 tiān
day Dictionary
已经 yǐjīng
already Dictionary
快 kuài
fast Dictionary
黑 hēi
black Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
，，，。
dùkǒu zhǐ shèngxià yì tiáo xiǎo chuán, chēng chuán de shì yí wèi báifà shāogōng, shuō shuǐ tài jí, yào děng míngtiān zǎoshang cái néng guò hé.
Only one small boat was left at the ferry. The white-haired boatman said the current was too strong; they would have to wait until morning to cross.
Words in this sentence
渡口 dùkǒu
ferry crossing Dictionary
只 zhǐ
only Dictionary
剩下 shèngxià
to be left over, to remain Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
条 tiáo
(measure word for long things: dragons, rivers) Dictionary
小 xiǎo
small, little, young Dictionary
船 chuán
boat Dictionary
撑 chēng
to prop up Dictionary
船 chuán
boat Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
位 wèi
(polite measure word for people) Dictionary
白发 báifà
white hair Dictionary
艄公 shāogōng
boatman Dictionary
说 shuō
to say, to speak Dictionary
水 shuǐ
water Dictionary
太 tài
too, excessively Dictionary
急 jí
fast-flowing; urgent Dictionary
要 yào
to need to, to be going to; to want Dictionary
等 děng
to wait (for) Dictionary
明天 míngtiān
tomorrow Dictionary
早上 zǎoshang
morning Dictionary
才 cái
only then Dictionary
能 néng
can, be able to Dictionary
过 guò
to celebrate, to spend (a holiday) Dictionary
河 hé
river Dictionary
。，，。
Hán Qīng zhǐhǎo zài chuán biān zuò xià. yuèguāng xià, tā kànjiàn pùbù xiàmiàn de shuǐ lǐ, yǒu xǔduō lǐyú yí cì yòu yí cì de wǎng shàng tiào.
He had no choice but to sit down by the boat. In the moonlight he saw, in the water below the falls, many carp leaping upward again and again.
Words in this sentence
韩青 Hán Qīng
Han Qing (name)
只好 zhǐhǎo
have no choice but to Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
船 chuán
boat Dictionary
边 biān
side, bank Dictionary
坐 zuò
to sit; to travel by Dictionary
下 xià
next; down Dictionary
月光 yuèguāng
moonlight Dictionary
下 xià
next; down Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
看见 kànjiàn
to see Dictionary
瀑布 pùbù
waterfall Dictionary
下面 xiàmiàn
under, below Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
水 shuǐ
water Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
有 yǒu
to have; there is Dictionary
许多 xǔduō
many Dictionary
鲤鱼 lǐyú
carp 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
往 wǎng
towards Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
跳 tiào
to jump Dictionary
：“，。，，，。”
shāogōng shuō:“ měi nián zhège shíhou, Huáng Hé shàngxià de lǐyú dōu yóu dào zhèli lái. chuánshuō tiào guò Lóngmén de yú, tiānshàng huì jiàng xià yì tuán huǒ, shāo diào tā de wěiba, tā cái néng huà wéi lóng.”
The boatman said, "Every year at this time the carp from all along the Yellow River swim here. The legend says that when a fish leaps the gate, a ball of fire comes down from the sky and burns off its tail, and only then can it turn into a dragon."
Words in this sentence
艄公 shāogōng
boatman Dictionary
说 shuō
to say, to speak Dictionary
每 měi
every, each Dictionary
年 nián
year Dictionary
这个 zhège
this Dictionary
时候 shíhou
time, moment (……的时候: when …) Dictionary
黄河 Huáng Hé
the Yellow River Dictionary
上下 shàngxià
all along, up and down Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
鲤鱼 lǐyú
carp Dictionary
都 dōu
all, both Dictionary
游 yóu
to swim Dictionary
到 dào
to arrive Dictionary
这里 zhèli
here Dictionary
来 lái
to come Dictionary
传说 chuánshuō
legend Dictionary
跳 tiào
to jump Dictionary
过 guò
to celebrate, to spend (a holiday) Dictionary
龙门 Lóngmén
the Dragon Gate Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
鱼 yú
fish Dictionary
天上 tiānshàng
heaven, the sky Dictionary
会 huì
can (a learned skill) Dictionary
降 jiàng
to come down Dictionary
下 xià
next; down Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
团 tuán
lump Dictionary
火 huǒ
fire Dictionary
烧 shāo
to heat, to boil Dictionary
掉 diào
to fall Dictionary
它 tā
it Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
尾巴 wěiba
tail Dictionary
它 tā
it Dictionary
才 cái
only then Dictionary
能 néng
can, be able to Dictionary
化 huà
to turn into, to change into Dictionary
为 wéi
to become Dictionary
龙 lóng
dragon Dictionary
“？”。“，，，。”
“ tiào bú guòqu de ne?” Hán Qīng wèn.“ étóu zhuàng zài shítou shàng, liúxià yí kuài shāngbā, zài huídào hé lǐ, zuò yì tiáo pǔtōng de yú.”
"And the ones that can't?" Han Qing asked. "They strike their foreheads on the rocks, carry away a scar, and go back into the river as ordinary fish."
Words in this sentence
跳 tiào
to jump Dictionary
不 bú
not Dictionary
过去 guòqu
to pass, to go by Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
呢 ne
(asks "and …?" / "what about …?") Dictionary
韩青 Hán Qīng
Han Qing (name)
问 wèn
to ask Dictionary
额头 étóu
forehead Dictionary
撞 zhuàng
to hit, to crash into Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
石头 shítou
rock, stone Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
留下 liúxià
to leave behind Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
块 kuài
yuan (money, spoken) Dictionary
伤疤 shāngbā
scar Dictionary
再 zài
again, any more Dictionary
回到 huídào
to go back to Dictionary
河 hé
river Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
做 zuò
to make, to do Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
条 tiáo
(measure word for long things: dragons, rivers) Dictionary
普通 pǔtōng
ordinary Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
鱼 yú
fish Dictionary
：“？，，，，。”
Hán Qīng kǔxiào:“ nà bú jiùshì wǒ ma? shí nián hánchuāng, sān cì luòbǎng, étóu shàng de shāng, biérén kàn bú jiàn, wǒ zìjǐ xīnli qīngchu.”
Han Qing smiled bitterly. "Isn't that me? Ten years of study, three failures. Others can't see the scar on my forehead, but I know it is there."
Words in this sentence
韩青 Hán Qīng
Han Qing (name)
苦笑 kǔxiào
to smile bitterly Dictionary
那 nà
that Dictionary
不 bú
not Dictionary
就是 jiùshì
is exactly, is right Dictionary
我 wǒ
I, me Dictionary
吗 ma
(question particle) Dictionary
十 shí
ten
年 nián
year Dictionary
寒窗 hánchuāng
(years of) hard study Dictionary
三 sān
three Dictionary
次 cì
time (occurrence) Dictionary
落榜 luòbǎng
to fail an (imperial) examination Dictionary
额头 étóu
forehead Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
伤 shāng
to hurt Dictionary
别人 biérén
other people Dictionary
看 kàn
to look, to watch, to read Dictionary
不 bú
not Dictionary
见 jiàn
to see, to meet Dictionary
我 wǒ
I, me Dictionary
自己 zìjǐ
oneself Dictionary
心里 xīnli
in one's heart Dictionary
清楚 qīngchu
clear Dictionary
：，；，。，。
tā xiǎngqǐ Lǐ Bái de shī: Huáng Hé sān chǐ lǐ, běn zài Mèngjīn jū; diǎn é bù chéng lóng, guīlái bàn fán yú. lián Lǐ Bái zhèyàng de rén, yě bǎ zìjǐ bǐzuò yì tiáo méiyǒu tiào guò Lóngmén de yú.
He recalled lines by Li Bai: "A three-foot carp of the Yellow River once lived at Mengjin; its forehead marked, it did not become a dragon, and came home to swim with common fish." Even a man like Li Bai had compared himself to a carp that failed to leap the gate.
Words in this sentence
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
想起 xiǎngqǐ
to think of, to recall Dictionary
李白 Lǐ Bái
Li Bai (name) Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
诗 shī
poem Dictionary
黄河 Huáng Hé
the Yellow River Dictionary
三 sān
three Dictionary
尺 chǐ
chi (a foot) Dictionary
鲤 lǐ
carp Dictionary
本 běn
(measure word for books) Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
孟津 Mèngjīn
Mengjin (place name) Dictionary
居 jū
to live, to dwell Dictionary
点 diǎn
o'clock Dictionary
额 é
forehead Dictionary
不 bù
not Dictionary
成 chéng
to become; to succeed Dictionary
龙 lóng
dragon Dictionary
归来 guīlái
to return, to come back Dictionary
伴 bàn
to keep company with Dictionary
凡 fán
ordinary, common Dictionary
鱼 yú
fish Dictionary
连 lián
even (连……都……) Dictionary
李白 Lǐ Bái
Li Bai (name) Dictionary
这样 zhèyàng
this way, like this Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
把 bǎ
(moves the object before the verb) Dictionary
自己 zìjǐ
oneself Dictionary
比作 bǐzuò
to liken to Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
条 tiáo
(measure word for long things: dragons, rivers) Dictionary
没有 méiyǒu
there is not; does not have Dictionary
跳 tiào
to jump Dictionary
过 guò
to celebrate, to spend (a holiday) Dictionary
龙门 Lóngmén
the Dragon Gate Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
鱼 yú
fish Dictionary
：“，，。，？”
shāogōng què yáo le yáo tóu:“ wǒ zài zhèli chēng le sìshí nián chuán, zhēnzhèng biànchéng lóng de lǐyú, yì tiáo yě méi jiàn guò. kě Huáng Hé lǐ de yú, hécháng shǎo guò?”
The boatman shook his head. "I've poled a boat here for forty years and never seen a single carp really turn into a dragon. Yet when have there ever been fewer fish in the Yellow River?"
Words in this sentence
艄公 shāogōng
boatman Dictionary
却 què
but, yet Dictionary
摇 yáo
to shake Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
摇 yáo
to shake Dictionary
头 tóu
head Dictionary
我 wǒ
I, me Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
这里 zhèli
here Dictionary
撑 chēng
to prop up Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
四十 sìshí
forty Dictionary
年 nián
year Dictionary
船 chuán
boat Dictionary
真正 zhēnzhèng
truly Dictionary
变成 biànchéng
to turn into, to become Dictionary
龙 lóng
dragon Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
鲤鱼 lǐyú
carp Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
条 tiáo
(measure word for long things: dragons, rivers) Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
没 méi
not (in the past) Dictionary
见 jiàn
to see, to meet Dictionary
过 guò
to celebrate, to spend (a holiday) Dictionary
可 kě
(adds emphasis); but Dictionary
黄河 Huáng Hé
the Yellow River Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
鱼 yú
fish Dictionary
何尝 hécháng
when have … not Dictionary
少 shǎo
few, little Dictionary
过 guò
to celebrate, to spend (a holiday) Dictionary
“，，、，。，。”
“ nàxiē zhuàng shāng le étóu de yú, huídào hé lǐ, zhàoyàng chǎnluǎn, guòdōng, yǎnghuo le yì tiáo hé. lóng zhǐ huó zài gùshi lǐ, hé què shì kào tāmen huó zhe de.”
"The fish that bruised their foreheads go back into the river and still spawn and live through the winter; they keep a whole river alive. Dragons live only in stories, but the river lives by them."
Words in this sentence
那些 nàxiē
those Dictionary
撞 zhuàng
to hit, to crash into Dictionary
伤 shāng
to hurt Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
额头 étóu
forehead Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
鱼 yú
fish Dictionary
回到 huídào
to go back to Dictionary
河 hé
river Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
照样 zhàoyàng
as before, still Dictionary
产卵 chǎnluǎn
to spawn, to lay eggs Dictionary
过冬 guòdōng
to get through the winter Dictionary
养活 yǎnghuo
to keep alive, to feed Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
条 tiáo
(measure word for long things: dragons, rivers) Dictionary
河 hé
river Dictionary
龙 lóng
dragon Dictionary
只 zhǐ
only Dictionary
活 huó
work Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
故事 gùshi
story Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
河 hé
river Dictionary
却 què
but, yet Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
靠 kào
next to, by Dictionary
它们 tāmen
they (things) Dictionary
活 huó
work Dictionary
着 zhe
(-ing: an ongoing state) Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
，：“？”
Hán Qīng chénmò le hěn jiǔ, yòu wèn:“ nà wèishénme rénrén dōu xiǎng tiào Lóngmén?”
Han Qing was silent for a long time, then asked, "Then why does everyone want to leap the Dragon Gate?"
Words in this sentence
韩青 Hán Qīng
Han Qing (name)
沉默 chénmò
silence Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
很 hěn
very Dictionary
久 jiǔ
a long time Dictionary
又 yòu
and also, on top of that Dictionary
问 wèn
to ask Dictionary
那 nà
that Dictionary
为什么 wèishénme
why Dictionary
人人 rénrén
everyone Dictionary
都 dōu
all, both Dictionary
想 xiǎng
to want to, would like to; to think Dictionary
跳 tiào
to jump Dictionary
龙门 Lóngmén
the Dragon Gate Dictionary
：“，，。”
shāogōng xiào le:“ yīnwèi mén nàbiān de dōngxi kàn de jiàn, mén zhèbiān de dōngxi tài píngcháng, píngcháng dào méiyǒu rén juéde tā zhíde xiě jìn shī lǐ.”
The boatman laughed. "Because what lies beyond the gate can be seen, and what lies on this side is too ordinary—so ordinary that nobody thinks it worth putting in a poem."
Words in this sentence
艄公 shāogōng
boatman Dictionary
笑 xiào
to laugh, to smile Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
因为 yīnwèi
because Dictionary
门 mén
door Dictionary
那边 nàbiān
over there, that side Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
东西 dōngxi
thing(s) Dictionary
看 kàn
to look, to watch, to read Dictionary
得 de
(links a verb to how it is done) Dictionary
见 jiàn
to see, to meet Dictionary
门 mén
door Dictionary
这边 zhèbiān
this side Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
东西 dōngxi
thing(s) Dictionary
太 tài
too, excessively Dictionary
平常 píngcháng
ordinary, common Dictionary
平常 píngcháng
ordinary, common Dictionary
到 dào
to arrive Dictionary
没有 méiyǒu
there is not; does not have Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
觉得 juéde
to feel, to think Dictionary
它 tā
it Dictionary
值得 zhíde
to deserve Dictionary
写 xiě
to write Dictionary
进 jìn
into; to enter Dictionary
诗 shī
poem Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
：“？，。，，。”
tā yòu zhǐzhe pùbù shuō:“ nǐ zhùyì guò nàge chuánshuō ma? yú yào biànchéng lóng, xiān děi bèi huǒ shāo diào wěiba. zòngrán tiào guòqu le, yě děi fùchū dàijià, bú zài shì yuánlái de zìjǐ.”
He pointed at the falls. "Have you ever thought about that legend? For a fish to become a dragon, fire must first burn off its tail. Even if it leaps across, it still pays a price: it is no longer what it was."
Words in this sentence
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
又 yòu
and also, on top of that Dictionary
指着 zhǐzhe
pointing at
瀑布 pùbù
waterfall Dictionary
说 shuō
to say, to speak Dictionary
你 nǐ
you Dictionary
注意 zhùyì
to notice Dictionary
过 guò
to celebrate, to spend (a holiday) Dictionary
那个 nàge
that Dictionary
传说 chuánshuō
legend Dictionary
吗 ma
(question particle) Dictionary
鱼 yú
fish Dictionary
要 yào
to need to, to be going to; to want Dictionary
变成 biànchéng
to turn into, to become Dictionary
龙 lóng
dragon Dictionary
先 xiān
first Dictionary
得 děi
must, have to Dictionary
被 bèi
(passive: by) Dictionary
火 huǒ
fire Dictionary
烧 shāo
to heat, to boil Dictionary
掉 diào
to fall Dictionary
尾巴 wěiba
tail Dictionary
纵然 zòngrán
even if (literary) Dictionary
跳 tiào
to jump Dictionary
过去 guòqu
to pass, to go by Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
得 děi
must, have to Dictionary
付出 fùchū
to pay (a price) Dictionary
代价 dàijià
price, cost Dictionary
不 bú
not Dictionary
再 zài
again, any more Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
原来 yuánlái
so it turns out Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
自己 zìjǐ
oneself Dictionary
，，：，。
Hán Qīng zhè cái míngbai, tā zhuīqiú de gōngmíng, jiù xiàng nà tuán huǒ: tā néng ràng rén tuìbiàn, yě huì shāo diào yìxiē zài yě zhǎo bù huílai de dōngxi.
Only then did Han Qing understand that the rank he pursued was like that fire: it could transform a person, but it would also burn away things that could never be recovered.
Words in this sentence
韩青 Hán Qīng
Han Qing (name)
这 zhè
this Dictionary
才 cái
only then Dictionary
明白 míngbai
clear (看个明白: find out for oneself) Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
追求 zhuīqiú
to pursue Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
功名 gōngmíng
scholarly honour and official rank Dictionary
就 jiù
then, right away Dictionary
像 xiàng
to look like Dictionary
那 nà
that Dictionary
团 tuán
lump Dictionary
火 huǒ
fire Dictionary
它 tā
it Dictionary
能 néng
can, be able to Dictionary
让 ràng
to let, to make (someone do) Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
蜕变 tuìbiàn
transformation, to be transformed Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
会 huì
can (a learned skill) Dictionary
烧 shāo
to heat, to boil Dictionary
掉 diào
to fall Dictionary
一些 yìxiē
some Dictionary
再 zài
again, any more Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
找 zhǎo
to look for Dictionary
不 bù
not Dictionary
回来 huílai
to come back Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
东西 dōngxi
thing(s) Dictionary
，。，，。
tiān liàng yǐhòu, tā guò le hé. tā méiyǒu zài qù Cháng'ān, érshì zài jiāxiāng bàn le yì suǒ xiǎo xuétáng, jiāo cūnlǐ de háizi dúshū.
At daybreak he crossed the river. He never went back to Chang'an; instead he opened a small school in his home village and taught the village children to read.
Words in this sentence
天 tiān
day Dictionary
亮 liàng
bright Dictionary
以后 yǐhòu
after, later Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
过 guò
to celebrate, to spend (a holiday) Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
河 hé
river Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
没有 méiyǒu
there is not; does not have Dictionary
再 zài
again, any more Dictionary
去 qù
to go Dictionary
长安 Cháng'ān
Chang'an (the Han capital) Dictionary
而是 érshì
but (不是……而是……) Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
家乡 jiāxiāng
home town Dictionary
办 bàn
to get, to arrange (a card) Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
所 suǒ
measure word for schools Dictionary
小 xiǎo
small, little, young Dictionary
学堂 xuétáng
school Dictionary
教 jiāo
to teach Dictionary
村里 cūnlǐ
in the village Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
孩子 háizi
child Dictionary
读书 dúshū
to study Dictionary
，。，，。
yǒurén shuō tā méiyǒu bàofù, tā zhǐshì xiào le xiào. tā gěi xuésheng shàng de dì-yī kè, jiùshì Lóngmén de gùshi, búguò tā jiǎng de shì liǎng zhǒng yú.
Some said he had no ambition; he only smiled. The first lesson he gave his pupils was the story of the Dragon Gate, but he told it about two kinds of fish.
Words in this sentence
有人 yǒurén
someone Dictionary
说 shuō
to say, to speak Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
没有 méiyǒu
there is not; does not have Dictionary
抱负 bàofù
ambition, aspiration Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
只是 zhǐshì
merely, just Dictionary
笑 xiào
to laugh, to smile Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
笑 xiào
to laugh, to smile Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
给 gěi
to give; for Dictionary
学生 xuésheng
student Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
第一 dì-yī
first Dictionary
课 kè
class, lesson Dictionary
就是 jiùshì
is exactly, is right Dictionary
龙门 Lóngmén
the Dragon Gate Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
故事 gùshi
story Dictionary
不过 búguò
but Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
讲 jiǎng
to tell, to explain Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
两 liǎng
two Dictionary
种 zhǒng
kind, type Dictionary
鱼 yú
fish Dictionary
，，，：“，。”
èrshí nián hòu, tā de yí gè xuésheng kǎo zhòng le jìnshì, zhuānmén huílai kàn tā, shuō:“ xiānsheng, wǒ tiào guò Lóngmén le.”
Twenty years later one of his students passed the palace examination and came back specially to see him. "Teacher," he said, "I have leapt the Dragon Gate."
Words in this sentence
二十 èrshí
twenty Dictionary
年 nián
year Dictionary
后 hòu
after, later Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
个 gè
(measure word for people and things) Dictionary
学生 xuésheng
student Dictionary
考 kǎo
to pass an exam (考上: to get into) Dictionary
中 zhòng
to pass (an exam) Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
进士 jìnshì
successful candidate of the highest imperial examination Dictionary
专门 zhuānmén
specially Dictionary
回来 huílai
to come back Dictionary
看 kàn
to look, to watch, to read Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
说 shuō
to say, to speak Dictionary
先生 xiānsheng
sir Dictionary
我 wǒ
I, me Dictionary
跳 tiào
to jump Dictionary
过 guò
to celebrate, to spend (a holiday) Dictionary
龙门 Lóngmén
the Dragon Gate Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
：“？”，，：“，。”
Hán Qīng wèn tā:“ nà nǐ de wěiba ne?” xuésheng lèng le yíxià, xiǎng le hěn jiǔ, cái shuō:“ xuésheng jìzhù le, bú huì wàng le zìjǐ shì cóng nǎ tiáo hé lǐ lái de.”
Han Qing asked him, "And your tail?" The student was taken aback. After a long pause he said, "I will remember, Teacher. I won't forget which river I came from."
Words in this sentence
韩青 Hán Qīng
Han Qing (name)
问 wèn
to ask Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
那 nà
that Dictionary
你 nǐ
you Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
尾巴 wěiba
tail Dictionary
呢 ne
(asks "and …?" / "what about …?") Dictionary
学生 xuésheng
student Dictionary
愣 lèng
to be stunned Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
一下 yíxià
a moment, a bit Dictionary
想 xiǎng
to want to, would like to; to think Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
很 hěn
very Dictionary
久 jiǔ
a long time Dictionary
才 cái
only then Dictionary
说 shuō
to say, to speak Dictionary
学生 xuésheng
student Dictionary
记住 jìzhù
to remember Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
不 bú
not Dictionary
会 huì
can (a learned skill) Dictionary
忘 wàng
to forget Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
自己 zìjǐ
oneself Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
从 cóng
from Dictionary
哪 nǎ
which Dictionary
条 tiáo
(measure word for long things: dragons, rivers) Dictionary
河 hé
river Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
来 lái
to come Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
“”、。，，，。
rénmen cháng yòng“ lǐyú yuè lóngmén” bǐyù kǎoshì chénggōng, dìwèi yíxiàzi tígāo. kě zài Hán Qīng de xuétáng lǐ, Lóngmén xiàngzhēng de bù zhǐshì chénggōng, háiyǒu tuìbiàn de dàijià, hé nà tiáo mòmò yǎnghuo dàjiā de hé.
People often use "the carp leaps the Dragon Gate" for passing an examination and a sudden rise in status. But in Han Qing's school the Dragon Gate stood not only for success: it also stood for the price of transformation, and for the river that quietly keeps everyone alive.
Words in this sentence
人们 rénmen
people Dictionary
常 cháng
often Dictionary
用 yòng
to use Dictionary
鲤鱼跃龙门 lǐyú yuè lóngmén
the carp leaps the Dragon Gate (idiom)
比喻 bǐyù
to describe figuratively Dictionary
考试 kǎoshì
exam Dictionary
成功 chénggōng
successful Dictionary
地位 dìwèi
status, position Dictionary
一下子 yíxiàzi
all of a sudden Dictionary
提高 tígāo
to improve Dictionary
可 kě
(adds emphasis); but Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
韩青 Hán Qīng
Han Qing (name)
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
学堂 xuétáng
school Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
龙门 Lóngmén
the Dragon Gate Dictionary
象征 xiàngzhēng
to symbolize, symbol Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
不 bù
not Dictionary
只是 zhǐshì
merely, just Dictionary
成功 chénggōng
successful Dictionary
还有 háiyǒu
there is still Dictionary
蜕变 tuìbiàn
transformation, to be transformed Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
代价 dàijià
price, cost Dictionary
和 hé
and Dictionary
那 nà
that Dictionary
条 tiáo
(measure word for long things: dragons, rivers) Dictionary
默默 mòmò
silently Dictionary
养活 yǎnghuo
to keep alive, to feed Dictionary
大家 dàjiā
everyone Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
河 hé
river Dictionary

Grammar focus

纵然……也…… literary "even if … still …"
何尝 literary rhetorical "when has … ever": 何尝少过 means "never fewer"

Vocabulary

落榜luòbǎngto fail an (imperial) examination Dictionary
渡口dùkǒuferry crossing Dictionary
代价dàijiàprice, cost Dictionary
功名gōngmíngscholarly honour and official rank Dictionary
蜕变tuìbiàntransformation, to be transformed Dictionary
抱负bàofùambition, aspiration Dictionary
象征xiàngzhēngto symbolize, symbol Dictionary

Questions

1按照传说，鲤鱼跳过龙门以后，还要发生什么才能变成龙？Ànzhào chuánshuō, lǐyú tiào guò Lóngmén yǐhòu, hái yào fāshēng shénme cái néng biànchéng lóng?According to the legend, what else must happen after a carp leaps the gate before it becomes a dragon?

天上降下的火烧掉它的尾巴tiānshàng jiàng xià de huǒ shāo diào tā de wěibafire from the sky burns off its tail它的额头撞在石头上tā de étóu zhuàng zài shítou shàngits forehead strikes the rocks它在河里等一个冬天tā zài hé lǐ děng yí gè dōngtiānit waits a winter in the river

Show the answer and explanations

Answer: A. Sentence 4: 烧掉它的尾巴，它才能化为龙.

B: That is what happens to the fish that fail (sentence 5).
C: Nothing in the legend says so.

5在韩青的学堂里，龙门的故事多了什么意思？Zài Hán Qīng de xuétáng lǐ, Lóngmén de gùshi duō le shénme yìsi?In Han Qing's school, what does the Dragon Gate story come to mean besides success?

只要努力就一定能变成龙zhǐyào nǔlì jiù yídìng néng biànchéng lóngeffort always makes you a dragon考试没有一点儿用kǎoshì méiyǒu yìdiǎnr yòngexams are completely useless蜕变的代价，和普通的鱼的价值tuìbiàn de dàijià, hé pǔtōng de yú de jiàzhíthe price of transformation and the worth of the ordinary fish

Show the answer and explanations

Answer: C. Sentence 18, and the two kinds of fish in sentence 15.

A: The boatman has never seen a carp become a dragon (sentence 8).
B: His student passes and is not mocked for it (sentences 16–17).

Writing task

你生活中的“龙门”是什么？跳过去要付出什么代价？

Nǐ shēnghuó zhōng de "Lóngmén" shì shénme? Tiào guòqu yào fùchū shénme dàijià?

What is the "Dragon Gate" in your life? What price does leaping it demand?

Tips

对……来说 introduces your own view; 可是也 admits the cost.

Try it yourself first, then show the model answer

对我来说，龙门是出国读书。我跳过去了，可是也付出了代价：离开了家人，很多朋友也渐渐联系少了。现在我常常提醒自己，不要忘了自己是从哪条河里来的。

Duì wǒ láishuō, Lóngmén shì chūguó dúshū. Wǒ tiào guòqu le, kěshì yě fùchū le dàijià: líkāi le jiārén, hěn duō péngyou yě jiànjiàn liánxì shǎo le. Xiànzài wǒ chángcháng tíxǐng zìjǐ, bú yào wàng le zìjǐ shì cóng nǎ tiáo hé lǐ lái de.

For me the Dragon Gate was studying abroad. I made it, but I paid a price: I left my family, and I gradually lost touch with many friends. Now I often remind myself not to forget which river I came from.

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