Kuafu chases the sun

Preview version — Chinese review in progress.

HSK 7–9 · Level 9 About 16 minutes

夸父逐日

Kuāfùzhúrì

Story

，，。
yuǎngǔ shíhou, běifāng de huāngyě shàng zhù zhe yí gè jùrén bùluò, shǒulǐng míngjiào Kuāfù.
In remote antiquity a tribe of giants lived in the northern wilderness, and their chief was called Kuafu.
Words in this sentence
远古 yuǎngǔ
remote antiquity Dictionary
时候 shíhou
time, moment (……的时候: when …) Dictionary
北方 běifāng
the north Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
荒野 huāngyě
wilderness Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
住 zhù
to stay, to live Dictionary
着 zhe
(-ing: an ongoing state) Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
个 gè
(measure word for people and things) Dictionary
巨人 jùrén
giant Dictionary
部落 bùluò
tribe Dictionary
首领 shǒulǐng
leader Dictionary
名叫 míngjiào
to be called Dictionary
夸父 Kuāfù
Kuafu (name)
，，，。
tā shēncái gāodà, liǎng zhī ěrduo shàng guà zhe huángshé, shǒu lǐ yě wò zhe huángshé, yí bù néng kuà guò yí zuò shānqiū.
He was enormous: yellow snakes hung from his ears and he held yellow snakes in his hands, and a single stride carried him over a hill.
Words in this sentence
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
身材 shēncái
build, stature Dictionary
高大 gāodà
tall and big Dictionary
两 liǎng
two Dictionary
只 zhī
(measure word for animals and some objects) Dictionary
耳朵 ěrduo
ear Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
挂 guà
to hang Dictionary
着 zhe
(-ing: an ongoing state) Dictionary
黄蛇 huángshé
yellow snake
手 shǒu
hand Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
握 wò
to hold, to grip Dictionary
着 zhe
(-ing: an ongoing state) Dictionary
黄蛇 huángshé
yellow snake
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
步 bù
step Dictionary
能 néng
can, be able to Dictionary
跨 kuà
to stride over Dictionary
过 guò
to celebrate, to spend (a holiday) Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
座 zuò
(measure word for temples, mountains) Dictionary
山丘 shānqiū
hill Dictionary
，，，，，。
nà yì nián, tiānxià dàhàn, tàiyáng xiàng yì tuán huǒ guà zài tiān shàng, héshuǐ gānhé, zhuāngjia kūsǐ, rénmen rè de wúchù duǒcáng.
That year a great drought struck the world: the sun hung in the sky like a ball of fire, the rivers dried up, the crops withered, and people had nowhere to hide from the heat.
Words in this sentence
那 nà
that Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
年 nián
year Dictionary
天下 tiānxià
the world Dictionary
大旱 dàhàn
great drought
太阳 tàiyáng
sun Dictionary
像 xiàng
to look like Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
团 tuán
lump Dictionary
火 huǒ
fire Dictionary
挂 guà
to hang Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
天 tiān
day Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
河水 héshuǐ
river water Dictionary
干涸 gānhé
to dry up Dictionary
庄稼 zhuāngjia
crops Dictionary
枯死 kūsǐ
to wither and die Dictionary
人们 rénmen
people Dictionary
热 rè
hot Dictionary
得 de
(links a verb to how it is done) Dictionary
无处 wúchù
nowhere Dictionary
躲藏 duǒcáng
to hide Dictionary
，。：，，，，！
Kuāfù kànzhe zúrén yígègè dǎo xià, xīnzhōng bēifènjiāojiā. tā xiǎng: tàiyáng měitiān cóng dōngfāng shēngqǐ, zài xīfāng luò xià, rúguǒ néng zhuī shàng tā, ràng tā tīng rén de huà, gāi yǒu duō hǎo!
Watching his people collapse one after another, Kuafu was filled with grief and anger. He thought: the sun rises in the east every day and sets in the west; if he could catch it and make it obey people, how wonderful that would be!
Words in this sentence
夸父 Kuāfù
Kuafu (name)
看着 kànzhe
watching
族人 zúrén
members of the tribe Dictionary
一个个 yígègè
one after another Dictionary
倒 dǎo
to fall, to collapse Dictionary
下 xià
next; down Dictionary
心中 xīnzhōng
in one's heart Dictionary
悲愤交加 bēifènjiāojiā
filled with grief and anger
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
想 xiǎng
to want to, would like to; to think Dictionary
太阳 tàiyáng
sun Dictionary
每天 měitiān
every day Dictionary
从 cóng
from Dictionary
东方 dōngfāng
the east Dictionary
升起 shēngqǐ
to rise Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
西方 xīfāng
the west Dictionary
落 luò
to set, to fall Dictionary
下 xià
next; down Dictionary
如果 rúguǒ
if Dictionary
能 néng
can, be able to Dictionary
追 zhuī
to chase Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
它 tā
it Dictionary
让 ràng
to let, to make (someone do) Dictionary
它 tā
it Dictionary
听 tīng
to listen, to hear Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
话 huà
words, what is said Dictionary
该 gāi
should Dictionary
有 yǒu
to have; there is Dictionary
多 duō
many, a lot Dictionary
好 hǎo
good; OK Dictionary
：“，，。”
zú lǐ de lǎorén quàn tā:“ tàiyáng lí wǒmen bùzhī yǒu duō yuǎn, zìgǔyǐlái, méiyǒu rén zhuī de shàng tā.”
The tribe's elders tried to dissuade him: "Who knows how far the sun is from us? Since ancient times no one has ever caught it."
Words in this sentence
族 zú
tribe Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
老人 lǎorén
old person Dictionary
劝 quàn
to urge Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
太阳 tàiyáng
sun Dictionary
离 lí
from (distance) Dictionary
我们 wǒmen
we, us Dictionary
不知 bùzhī
who knows, not knowing Dictionary
有 yǒu
to have; there is Dictionary
多 duō
many, a lot Dictionary
远 yuǎn
far Dictionary
自古以来 zìgǔyǐlái
since ancient times Dictionary
没有 méiyǒu
there is not; does not have Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
追 zhuī
to chase Dictionary
得 de
(links a verb to how it is done) Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
它 tā
it Dictionary
：“，？”，，。
Kuāfù què shuō:“ bú shì yí shì, zěnme zhīdao zhuī bú shàng?” shuōwán, tā màikāi dàbù, cháozhe tàiyáng bēn qù.
But Kuafu said: "How do we know we can't catch it if we don't try?" With that he strode off towards the sun.
Words in this sentence
夸父 Kuāfù
Kuafu (name)
却 què
but, yet Dictionary
说 shuō
to say, to speak Dictionary
不 bú
not Dictionary
试 shì
to try Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
试 shì
to try Dictionary
怎么 zěnme
how Dictionary
知道 zhīdao
to know Dictionary
追 zhuī
to chase Dictionary
不 bú
not Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
说完 shuōwán
having said this
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
迈开 màikāi
to stride out
大步 dàbù
big strides Dictionary
朝着 cháozhe
towards Dictionary
太阳 tàiyáng
sun Dictionary
奔 bēn
to rush Dictionary
去 qù
to go Dictionary
，，。
tā pǎo guò le yí zuò yòu yí zuò gāoshān, kuà guò le yì tiáo yòu yì tiáo dàhé, jiǎo xià yángqǐ de chéntǔ zhē zhù le bànbiāntiān.
He ran over mountain after mountain and strode across river after river, and the dust raised by his feet blotted out half the sky.
Words in this sentence
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
跑 pǎo
to run Dictionary
过 guò
to celebrate, to spend (a holiday) Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
座 zuò
(measure word for temples, mountains) Dictionary
又 yòu
and also, on top of that Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
座 zuò
(measure word for temples, mountains) Dictionary
高山 gāoshān
high mountains Dictionary
跨 kuà
to stride over Dictionary
过 guò
to celebrate, to spend (a holiday) 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
又 yòu
and also, on top of that Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
条 tiáo
(measure word for long things: dragons, rivers) Dictionary
大河 dàhé
great river Dictionary
脚 jiǎo
foot, feet Dictionary
下 xià
next; down Dictionary
扬起 yángqǐ
to raise (dust) Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
尘土 chéntǔ
dust Dictionary
遮 zhē
to cover, to block out Dictionary
住 zhù
to stay, to live Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
半边天 bànbiāntiān
half the sky Dictionary
，，。
tàiyáng yuè wǎng xī zǒu, Kuāfù lí tā yuè jìn, tā shènzhì néng gǎndào yángguāng xiàng dāozi yíyàng gē zhe tā de pífū.
The further west the sun went, the closer Kuafu came, until he could feel the sunlight cutting his skin like knives.
Words in this sentence
太阳 tàiyáng
sun Dictionary
越 yuè
(越……越……: the more … the more) Dictionary
往 wǎng
towards Dictionary
西 xī
west Dictionary
走 zǒu
to walk, to go; to leave Dictionary
夸父 Kuāfù
Kuafu (name)
离 lí
from (distance) Dictionary
它 tā
it Dictionary
越 yuè
(越……越……: the more … the more) Dictionary
近 jìn
near Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
甚至 shènzhì
even Dictionary
能 néng
can, be able to Dictionary
感到 gǎndào
to feel Dictionary
阳光 yángguāng
sunlight Dictionary
像 xiàng
to look like Dictionary
刀子 dāozi
knife Dictionary
一样 yíyàng
the same Dictionary
割 gē
to cut Dictionary
着 zhe
(-ing: an ongoing state) Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
皮肤 pífū
skin Dictionary
，，，。
zhōngyú, zài tàiyáng luò shān de dìfang Yúgǔ, tā zhuī shàng le tàiyáng, yì tuán jùdà de huǒqiú jiù zài yǎnqián.
At last, at Yugu, the place where the sun goes down, he caught up with it; a huge ball of fire was right before his eyes.
Words in this sentence
终于 zhōngyú
finally, at last Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
太阳 tàiyáng
sun Dictionary
落 luò
to set, to fall Dictionary
山 shān
mountain Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
地方 dìfang
place Dictionary
禺谷 Yúgǔ
Yugu (the valley where the sun sets)
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
追 zhuī
to chase Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
太阳 tàiyáng
sun Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
团 tuán
lump Dictionary
巨大 jùdà
huge Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
火球 huǒqiú
ball of fire Dictionary
就 jiù
then, right away Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
眼前 yǎnqián
before one's eyes Dictionary
，，，。
tā zhāngkāi shuāngbì, xiǎng qù bào zhù tā, kěshì chìrè de guāngmáng ràng tā kǒukě nánrěn, hóulong xiàng zháohuǒ le yíyàng.
He opened his arms to embrace it, but the scorching light gave him an unbearable thirst, and his throat felt as if it were on fire.
Words in this sentence
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
张开 zhāngkāi
to open (arms) Dictionary
双臂 shuāngbì
both arms Dictionary
想 xiǎng
to want to, would like to; to think Dictionary
去 qù
to go Dictionary
抱 bào
to hold in one's arms Dictionary
住 zhù
to stay, to live Dictionary
它 tā
it Dictionary
可是 kěshì
but Dictionary
炽热 chìrè
scorching Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
光芒 guāngmáng
rays of light Dictionary
让 ràng
to let, to make (someone do) Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
口渴 kǒukě
thirsty Dictionary
难忍 nánrěn
unbearable
喉咙 hóulong
throat Dictionary
像 xiàng
to look like Dictionary
着火 zháohuǒ
to be on fire Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
一样 yíyàng
the same Dictionary
，，；，。
tā zhuǎnshēn pǎo dào Huáng Hé biān, pā xiàlai dàkǒu dàkǒu de hēshuǐ, yìkǒuqì bǎ Huáng Hé hē gān le; yòu pǎo dào Wèishuǐ, bǎ Wèishuǐ yě hē gān le.
He turned and ran to the Yellow River, lay down and gulped the water, drinking the Yellow River dry in one go; then he ran to the Wei River and drank that dry too.
Words in this sentence
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
转身 zhuǎnshēn
to turn round Dictionary
跑 pǎo
to run Dictionary
到 dào
to arrive Dictionary
黄河 Huáng Hé
the Yellow River Dictionary
边 biān
side, bank Dictionary
趴 pā
to lie face down Dictionary
下来 xiàlai
down (becoming) Dictionary
大口 dàkǒu
in big gulps Dictionary
大口 dàkǒu
in big gulps Dictionary
地 de
(turns a description into how something is done) Dictionary
喝水 hēshuǐ
to drink water
一口气 yìkǒuqì
in one go Dictionary
把 bǎ
(moves the object before the verb) Dictionary
黄河 Huáng Hé
the Yellow River Dictionary
喝 hē
to drink Dictionary
干 gān
dry Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
又 yòu
and also, on top of that Dictionary
跑 pǎo
to run Dictionary
到 dào
to arrive Dictionary
渭水 Wèishuǐ
the Wei River Dictionary
把 bǎ
(moves the object before the verb) Dictionary
渭水 Wèishuǐ
the Wei River Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
喝 hē
to drink Dictionary
干 gān
dry Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
，。，。
kě zhè liǎng tiáo dàhé de shuǐ, réngrán bú gòu tā jiěkě. tā yòu xiàng běifāng de dàzé pǎo qù, nàli de húshuǐ fāngyuán qiānlǐ.
But the water of these two great rivers still could not quench his thirst. He ran on towards the Great Marsh in the north, whose waters stretched a thousand li around.
Words in this sentence
可 kě
(adds emphasis); but Dictionary
这 zhè
this Dictionary
两 liǎng
two Dictionary
条 tiáo
(measure word for long things: dragons, rivers) Dictionary
大河 dàhé
great river Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
水 shuǐ
water Dictionary
仍然 réngrán
still Dictionary
不 bú
not Dictionary
够 gòu
enough Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
解渴 jiěkě
to quench one's thirst Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
又 yòu
and also, on top of that Dictionary
向 xiàng
to, towards Dictionary
北方 běifāng
the north Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
大泽 dàzé
great marsh
跑 pǎo
to run Dictionary
去 qù
to go Dictionary
那里 nàli
there Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
湖水 húshuǐ
lake water
方圆 fāngyuán
in circumference, around Dictionary
千里 qiānlǐ
a thousand li Dictionary
，，，，。
rán'ér, tā shízài tài lèi tài kě le, hái méi pǎo dào dàzé, jiù xiàng yí zuò shān yíyàng hōngrán dǎo xià, zài yě méiyǒu qǐlai.
But he was far too tired and too thirsty; before he reached the marsh he fell like a collapsing mountain and never rose again.
Words in this sentence
然而 rán'ér
however Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
实在 shízài
really Dictionary
太 tài
too, excessively Dictionary
累 lèi
tired Dictionary
太 tài
too, excessively Dictionary
渴 kě
thirsty Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
还 hái
also, in addition Dictionary
没 méi
not (in the past) Dictionary
跑 pǎo
to run Dictionary
到 dào
to arrive Dictionary
大泽 dàzé
great marsh
就 jiù
then, right away Dictionary
像 xiàng
to look like Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
座 zuò
(measure word for temples, mountains) Dictionary
山 shān
mountain Dictionary
一样 yíyàng
the same Dictionary
轰然 hōngrán
with a crash Dictionary
倒 dǎo
to fall, to collapse Dictionary
下 xià
next; down Dictionary
再 zài
again, any more Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
没有 méiyǒu
there is not; does not have Dictionary
起来 qǐlai
(starting to …) Dictionary
，。，，。
línsǐ qián, tā bǎ shǒu zhōng de mùzhàng yònglì yì rēng. mùzhàng luò dì de dìfang, yíyèzhījiān zhǎng chū le yí piàn táolín, miányán jǐbǎi lǐ.
Before he died he flung away his wooden staff with all his strength. Where it landed, a peach grove sprang up overnight, stretching for hundreds of li.
Words in this sentence
临死 línsǐ
on the point of death Dictionary
前 qián
front; before Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
把 bǎ
(moves the object before the verb) Dictionary
手 shǒu
hand Dictionary
中 zhōng
in, among Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
木杖 mùzhàng
wooden staff
用力 yònglì
with force Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
扔 rēng
to throw away Dictionary
木杖 mùzhàng
wooden staff
落 luò
to set, to fall Dictionary
地 dì
ground, earth Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
地方 dìfang
place Dictionary
一夜之间 yíyèzhījiān
overnight Dictionary
长 zhǎng
to grow Dictionary
出 chū
out Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
片 piàn
(measure word for an expanse) Dictionary
桃林 táolín
peach grove
绵延 miányán
to stretch Dictionary
几百 jǐbǎi
several hundred
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
，，。
táolín lǐ jiē mǎn le yòu dà yòu tián de táozi, hòulái lùguò de rén, zài yě bú huì xiàng Kuāfù nàyàng kě sǐ zài lùshang le.
The grove was full of large sweet peaches, and travellers who passed later would never again die of thirst on the road as Kuafu had.
Words in this sentence
桃林 táolín
peach grove
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
结 jiē
to bear (fruit) Dictionary
满 mǎn
full Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
又 yòu
and also, on top of that Dictionary
大 dà
big, loud Dictionary
又 yòu
and also, on top of that Dictionary
甜 tián
sweet Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
桃子 táozi
peach Dictionary
后来 hòulái
later, afterwards Dictionary
路过 lùguò
to pass by Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
再 zài
again, any more Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
不 bú
not Dictionary
会 huì
can (a learned skill) Dictionary
像 xiàng
to look like Dictionary
夸父 Kuāfù
Kuafu (name)
那样 nàyàng
like that Dictionary
渴 kě
thirsty Dictionary
死 sǐ
to die Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
路上 lùshang
on the road Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
，“”，。
hòulái, rénmen cháng yòng“ kuāfùzhúrì” bǐyù rén yǒu yuǎndà de zhìxiàng, yě yǒu rén yòng tā fěngcì búzìliànglì de rén.
Later people used "Kuafu chases the sun" as a figure for someone with lofty aspirations, while others used it to mock those who overrate themselves.
Words in this sentence
后来 hòulái
later, afterwards Dictionary
人们 rénmen
people Dictionary
常 cháng
often Dictionary
用 yòng
to use Dictionary
夸父逐日 kuāfùzhúrì
Kuafu chases the sun
比喻 bǐyù
to describe figuratively Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
有 yǒu
to have; there is Dictionary
远大 yuǎndà
lofty, far-reaching Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
志向 zhìxiàng
aspiration Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
有 yǒu
to have; there is Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
用 yòng
to use Dictionary
它 tā
it Dictionary
讽刺 fěngcì
irony Dictionary
不自量力 búzìliànglì
to overrate oneself Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
，。
gǔrén yǐ Kuāfù wèi fǎnmiàn de lìzi, jīntiān de rén què gèng yuànyì bǎ tā kànzuò yí wèi gǎnyú tiǎozhàn mìngyùn de yīngxióng.
People of old took Kuafu as a negative example; people today prefer to see him as a hero who dared to challenge fate.
Words in this sentence
古人 gǔrén
people of old Dictionary
以 yǐ
by means of, with Dictionary
夸父 Kuāfù
Kuafu (name)
为 wèi
for Dictionary
反面 fǎnmiàn
negative (example) Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
例子 lìzi
example Dictionary
今天 jīntiān
today Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
却 què
but, yet Dictionary
更 gèng
even more Dictionary
愿意 yuànyì
to be willing Dictionary
把 bǎ
(moves the object before the verb) Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
看作 kànzuò
to regard as Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
位 wèi
(polite measure word for people) Dictionary
敢于 gǎnyú
to dare to Dictionary
挑战 tiǎozhàn
challenge Dictionary
命运 mìngyùn
fate Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
英雄 yīngxióng
hero Dictionary
：，，。
yěxǔ liǎng zhǒng kànfǎ dōu yǒu dàoli: Kuāfù zuìzhōng méiyǒu zhuā zhù tàiyáng, kěshì tā liú xià de nà piàn táolín, què shíshízàizài de jiù le hòulái de rén.
Perhaps both views have a point: Kuafu never caught the sun, but the peach grove he left behind really did save those who came after.
Words in this sentence
也许 yěxǔ
perhaps Dictionary
两 liǎng
two Dictionary
种 zhǒng
kind, type Dictionary
看法 kànfǎ
view, opinion Dictionary
都 dōu
all, both Dictionary
有 yǒu
to have; there is Dictionary
道理 dàoli
theory, reasoning Dictionary
夸父 Kuāfù
Kuafu (name)
最终 zuìzhōng
final Dictionary
没有 méiyǒu
there is not; does not have Dictionary
抓 zhuā
to catch, to capture Dictionary
住 zhù
to stay, to live Dictionary
太阳 tàiyáng
sun Dictionary
可是 kěshì
but Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
留 liú
to stay Dictionary
下 xià
next; down Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
那 nà
that Dictionary
片 piàn
(measure word for an expanse) Dictionary
桃林 táolín
peach grove
却 què
but, yet Dictionary
实实在在 shíshízàizài
really, truly
地 de
(turns a description into how something is done) Dictionary
救 jiù
to rescue Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
后来 hòulái
later, afterwards Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
，。，。
zhuī bú shàng de mèngxiǎng, wèibì jiù shì bái zhuī de. zhè, huòxǔ zhèngshì zhè gè gǔlǎo shénhuà zuì dòngrén zhī chù.
A dream you cannot catch up with is not necessarily chased in vain. This, perhaps, is what is most moving about this ancient myth.
Words in this sentence
追 zhuī
to chase Dictionary
不 bú
not Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
梦想 mèngxiǎng
dream Dictionary
未必 wèibì
not necessarily Dictionary
就 jiù
then, right away Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
白 bái
white Dictionary
追 zhuī
to chase Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
这 zhè
this Dictionary
或许 huòxǔ
perhaps Dictionary
正是 zhèngshì
precisely Dictionary
这 zhè
this Dictionary
个 gè
(measure word for people and things) Dictionary
古老 gǔlǎo
ancient Dictionary
神话 shénhuà
myth Dictionary
最 zuì
most Dictionary
动人 dòngrén
moving Dictionary
之 zhī
(classical) of Dictionary
处 chù
place, point Dictionary

Grammar focus

以……为…… "to take … as …"
之 classical "of": 动人之处

Vocabulary

大旱dàhàngreat drought
干涸gānhéto dry up Dictionary
自古以来zìgǔyǐláisince ancient times Dictionary
炽热chìrèscorching Dictionary
比喻bǐyùto describe figuratively Dictionary
挑战tiǎozhànchallenge Dictionary
未必wèibìnot necessarily Dictionary

Questions

Writing task

夸父没有抓住太阳，你觉得他失败了吗？用“未必”写几句话。

Kuāfù méiyǒu zhuā zhù tàiyáng, nǐ juéde tā shībài le ma? Yòng "wèibì" xiě jǐ jù huà.

Kuafu didn't catch the sun. Do you think he failed? Write a few sentences using 未必.

Tips

未必 means "not necessarily".

Try it yourself first, then show the model answer

我觉得他未必失败了。他的目标没有实现，可是他留下的桃林让后人不再渴死。有时候，一件事的意义并不在于结果。

Wǒ juéde tā wèibì shībài le. Tā de mùbiāo méiyǒu shíxiàn, kěshì tā liú xià de táolín ràng hòurén bú zài kě sǐ. Yǒushíhou, yí jiàn shì de yìyì bìng bú zàiyú jiéguǒ.

I don't think he necessarily failed. His goal wasn't achieved, but the peach grove he left meant later people no longer died of thirst. Sometimes the meaning of something doesn't lie in the result.

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