The Legend of the White Snake

Preview version — Chinese review in progress.

HSK 7–9 · Level 9 About 16 minutes

白蛇传

Báishé Zhuàn

Story

，，。。
Éméi Shān shàng céngjīng yǒu yì tiáo báishé, xiūliàn le yìqiān nián, zhōngyú néng biànchéng rén de yàngzi. tā gěi zìjǐ qǐ míng jiào Bái Sùzhēn.
Long ago, on Mount Emei, a white snake cultivated itself for a thousand years until it could take human form. She named herself Bai Suzhen.
Words in this sentence
峨眉山 Éméi Shān
Mount Emei Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
曾经 céngjīng
once Dictionary
有 yǒu
to have; there is Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
条 tiáo
(measure word for long things: dragons, rivers) Dictionary
白蛇 báishé
white snake
修炼 xiūliàn
to cultivate (magic powers) Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
一千 yìqiān
one thousand
年 nián
year Dictionary
终于 zhōngyú
finally, at last Dictionary
能 néng
can, be able to Dictionary
变成 biànchéng
to turn into, to become Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
样子 yàngzi
look, appearance Dictionary
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
给 gěi
to give; for Dictionary
自己 zìjǐ
oneself Dictionary
起 qǐ
up (after a verb: 拿起 pick up) Dictionary
名 míng
place (in a ranking) Dictionary
叫 jiào
to be called; to call Dictionary
白素贞 Bái Sùzhēn
Bai Suzhen (name) Dictionary
，，。
tā xiàngwǎng rénjiān de shēnghuó, jiù dài zhe xiūliàn le wǔbǎi nián de qīngshé Xiǎoqīng, láidào le fēngjǐng rú huà de Hángzhōu Xī Hú.
Longing for life among humans, she took the Green Snake, Xiaoqing, who had cultivated for five hundred years, and came to West Lake in picturesque Hangzhou.
Words in this sentence
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
向往 xiàngwǎng
to long for Dictionary
人间 rénjiān
the world of the living Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
生活 shēnghuó
life Dictionary
就 jiù
then, right away Dictionary
带 dài
to take (someone), to bring Dictionary
着 zhe
(-ing: an ongoing state) Dictionary
修炼 xiūliàn
to cultivate (magic powers) Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
五百 wǔbǎi
five hundred
年 nián
year Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
青蛇 qīngshé
green snake
小青 Xiǎoqīng
Xiaoqing, the Green Snake (name)
来到 láidào
to come to Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
风景 fēngjǐng
scenery Dictionary
如 rú
as good as (不如: not as … as) Dictionary
画 huà
to draw Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
杭州 Hángzhōu
Hangzhou Dictionary
西湖 Xī Hú
West Lake Dictionary
，。，，。
nà tiān shì qīngmíng, Xī Hú shàng xià qǐ le xiǎoyǔ. zài Duànqiáo biān, tāmen yùdào le yí gè chēng zhe sǎn de niánqīng shūshēng, míngjiào Xǔ Xiān.
It was Qingming, and a light rain was falling on West Lake. By the Broken Bridge they met a young scholar holding an umbrella, named Xu Xian.
Words in this sentence
那 nà
that Dictionary
天 tiān
day Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
清明 qīngmíng
Qingming; clear and just Dictionary
西湖 Xī Hú
West Lake Dictionary
上 shàng
on, above Dictionary
下 xià
next; down Dictionary
起 qǐ
up (after a verb: 拿起 pick up) Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
小雨 xiǎoyǔ
light rain Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
断桥 Duànqiáo
the Broken Bridge Dictionary
边 biān
side, bank Dictionary
她们 tāmen
they, them (women) 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
撑 chēng
to prop up Dictionary
着 zhe
(-ing: an ongoing state) Dictionary
伞 sǎn
umbrella Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
年轻 niánqīng
young Dictionary
书生 shūshēng
scholar Dictionary
名叫 míngjiào
to be called Dictionary
许仙 Xǔ Xiān
Xu Xian (name)
，。，、，。
Xǔ Xiān jiàn liǎng wèi gūniang méiyǒu sǎn, jiù bǎ zìjǐ de sǎn jiè gěi le tāmen. jiùshì zhè bǎ sǎn, ràng Bái Sùzhēn hé Xǔ Xiān xiāngshí, xiāng'ài, bùjiǔ jiù jié le hūn.
Seeing the two young women had no umbrella, Xu Xian lent them his own. That umbrella brought Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian together; they fell in love and soon married.
Words in this sentence
许仙 Xǔ Xiān
Xu Xian (name)
见 jiàn
to see, to meet Dictionary
两 liǎng
two Dictionary
位 wèi
(polite measure word for people) Dictionary
姑娘 gūniang
girl, young woman Dictionary
没有 méiyǒu
there is not; does not have Dictionary
伞 sǎn
umbrella Dictionary
就 jiù
then, right away Dictionary
把 bǎ
(moves the object before the verb) Dictionary
自己 zìjǐ
oneself Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
伞 sǎn
umbrella Dictionary
借 jiè
to borrow, to lend Dictionary
给 gěi
to give; for Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
她们 tāmen
they, them (women) Dictionary
就是 jiùshì
is exactly, is right Dictionary
这 zhè
this Dictionary
把 bǎ
(moves the object before the verb) Dictionary
伞 sǎn
umbrella Dictionary
让 ràng
to let, to make (someone do) Dictionary
白素贞 Bái Sùzhēn
Bai Suzhen (name) Dictionary
和 hé
and Dictionary
许仙 Xǔ Xiān
Xu Xian (name)
相识 xiāngshí
to get to know each other Dictionary
相爱 xiāng'ài
to love each other Dictionary
不久 bùjiǔ
soon Dictionary
就 jiù
then, right away Dictionary
结 jié
to tie (结婚: to marry) Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
婚 hūn
marriage Dictionary
，。，，。
hūnhòu, tāmen zài Zhènjiāng kāi le yì jiā yàodiàn. Bái Sùzhēn yīshù gāomíng, chángcháng miǎnfèi gěi qióngrén kànbìng, yàodiàn de míngshēng yuèláiyuè dà.
After marrying, they opened a pharmacy in Zhenjiang. Bai Suzhen was a skilled healer and often treated the poor for free, and the shop's reputation grew and grew.
Words in this sentence
婚后 hūnhòu
after marriage
他们 tāmen
they, them Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
镇江 Zhènjiāng
Zhenjiang Dictionary
开 kāi
to drive; to open Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
家 jiā
home, family Dictionary
药店 yàodiàn
pharmacy Dictionary
白素贞 Bái Sùzhēn
Bai Suzhen (name) Dictionary
医术 yīshù
medical skill Dictionary
高明 gāomíng
brilliant Dictionary
常常 chángcháng
often Dictionary
免费 miǎnfèi
free of charge Dictionary
给 gěi
to give; for Dictionary
穷人 qióngrén
the poor Dictionary
看病 kànbìng
to treat (patients) Dictionary
药店 yàodiàn
pharmacy Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
名声 míngshēng
reputation, fame Dictionary
越来越 yuèláiyuè
more and more Dictionary
大 dà
big, loud Dictionary
，。，，。
kěshì, Jīnshān Sì de héshang Fǎhǎi yìyǎn jiù kàn chū Bái Sùzhēn shì shéyāo. tā rènwéi rén hé yāo fēi fēnkāi bùkě, jiù qù zhǎo Xǔ Xiān, gàosu tā qīzi de zhēnshí shēnfèn.
But Fahai, a monk of Jinshan Temple, saw at a glance that Bai Suzhen was a snake spirit. Believing that humans and spirits simply had to be kept apart, he went to Xu Xian and told him his wife's true identity.
Words in this sentence
可是 kěshì
but Dictionary
金山寺 Jīnshān Sì
Jinshan Temple Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
和尚 héshang
monk Dictionary
法海 Fǎhǎi
Fahai (name) Dictionary
一眼 yìyǎn
a glance Dictionary
就 jiù
then, right away Dictionary
看 kàn
to look, to watch, to read Dictionary
出 chū
out Dictionary
白素贞 Bái Sùzhēn
Bai Suzhen (name) Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
蛇妖 shéyāo
snake spirit
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
认为 rènwéi
to think, to believe Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
和 hé
and Dictionary
妖 yāo
spirit, demon Dictionary
非 fēi
(非……不可) must Dictionary
分开 fēnkāi
to separate Dictionary
不可 bùkě
(非……不可) must Dictionary
就 jiù
then, right away Dictionary
去 qù
to go Dictionary
找 zhǎo
to look for Dictionary
许仙 Xǔ Xiān
Xu Xian (name)
告诉 gàosu
to tell Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
妻子 qīzi
wife Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
真实 zhēnshí
true, real Dictionary
身份 shēnfèn
identity Dictionary
。：，，，。
Xǔ Xiān bànxìnbànyí. Fǎhǎi jiāo tā: Duānwǔjié nà tiān, ràng qīzi hē yì bēi xiónghuángjiǔ, shì rén shì yāo, yí shì jiù zhīdao.
Xu Xian half believed him. Fahai told him: at the Dragon Boat Festival, have your wife drink a cup of realgar wine; whether she is human or spirit, one try will show.
Words in this sentence
许仙 Xǔ Xiān
Xu Xian (name)
半信半疑 bànxìnbànyí
half believing, half doubting Dictionary
法海 Fǎhǎi
Fahai (name) Dictionary
教 jiāo
to teach Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
端午节 Duānwǔjié
the Dragon Boat Festival Dictionary
那 nà
that Dictionary
天 tiān
day Dictionary
让 ràng
to let, to make (someone do) Dictionary
妻子 qīzi
wife Dictionary
喝 hē
to drink Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
杯 bēi
cup, glass Dictionary
雄黄酒 xiónghuángjiǔ
realgar wine Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
妖 yāo
spirit, demon Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
试 shì
to try Dictionary
就 jiù
then, right away Dictionary
知道 zhīdao
to know Dictionary
，。，，，。
Duānwǔjié dào le, Xǔ Xiān gěi qīzi dào le yì bēi jiǔ. Bái Sùzhēn huái zhe háizi, běnlái bù xiǎng hē, yòu pà zhàngfu qǐ yíxīn, zhǐhǎo hē le xiàqu.
The Dragon Boat Festival came and Xu Xian poured his wife a cup of wine. Bai Suzhen, who was pregnant, didn't want to drink it, but afraid of arousing her husband's suspicion, she drank it down.
Words in this sentence
端午节 Duānwǔjié
the Dragon Boat Festival Dictionary
到 dào
to arrive Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
许仙 Xǔ Xiān
Xu Xian (name)
给 gěi
to give; for Dictionary
妻子 qīzi
wife Dictionary
倒 dào
to pour Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
杯 bēi
cup, glass Dictionary
酒 jiǔ
wine, alcohol Dictionary
白素贞 Bái Sùzhēn
Bai Suzhen (name) Dictionary
怀 huái
arms, bosom Dictionary
着 zhe
(-ing: an ongoing state) Dictionary
孩子 háizi
child Dictionary
本来 běnlái
in the first place, by nature Dictionary
不 bù
not Dictionary
想 xiǎng
to want to, would like to; to think Dictionary
喝 hē
to drink Dictionary
又 yòu
and also, on top of that Dictionary
怕 pà
to be afraid of Dictionary
丈夫 zhàngfu
husband Dictionary
起 qǐ
up (after a verb: 拿起 pick up) Dictionary
疑心 yíxīn
suspicion Dictionary
只好 zhǐhǎo
have no choice but to Dictionary
喝 hē
to drink Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
下去 xiàqu
down Dictionary
，，：。，。
búliào, jiǔ yí xiàdù, tā jiù xiàn chū le yuánxíng: yì tiáo jùdà de báishé pán zài chuángshang. Xǔ Xiān xiānkāi zhàngzi yí kàn, dāngchǎng bèi xià sǐ le.
Unexpectedly, as soon as the wine was down she reverted to her true form: a huge white snake coiled on the bed. Xu Xian pulled back the bed curtains, looked, and died of fright on the spot.
Words in this sentence
不料 búliào
unexpectedly Dictionary
酒 jiǔ
wine, alcohol Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
下肚 xiàdù
to go down (into the stomach) Dictionary
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
就 jiù
then, right away Dictionary
现 xiàn
to show Dictionary
出 chū
out Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
原形 yuánxíng
true form Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
条 tiáo
(measure word for long things: dragons, rivers) Dictionary
巨大 jùdà
huge Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
白蛇 báishé
white snake
盘 pán
plate Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
床上 chuángshang
on the bed
许仙 Xǔ Xiān
Xu Xian (name)
掀开 xiānkāi
to pull back Dictionary
帐子 zhàngzi
bed curtains Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
看 kàn
to look, to watch, to read Dictionary
当场 dāngchǎng
on the spot Dictionary
被 bèi
(passive: by) Dictionary
吓 xià
to frighten (吓了一跳: got a fright) Dictionary
死 sǐ
to die Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
，，。，。
Bái Sùzhēn xǐng lái, kàndào zhàngfu yǐjīng méiyǒu le hūxī, xīntòngyùjué. tā búgù huáiyùn de shēntǐ, fēi dào Kūnlún Shān qù tōu néng qǐsǐhuíshēng de xiāncǎo.
When Bai Suzhen came to and saw her husband no longer breathing, she was heartbroken. Heedless of her pregnancy, she flew to the Kunlun Mountains to steal a magic herb that could bring the dead back to life.
Words in this sentence
白素贞 Bái Sùzhēn
Bai Suzhen (name) Dictionary
醒 xǐng
to wake Dictionary
来 lái
to come Dictionary
看到 kàndào
to see Dictionary
丈夫 zhàngfu
husband Dictionary
已经 yǐjīng
already Dictionary
没有 méiyǒu
there is not; does not have Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
呼吸 hūxī
to breathe Dictionary
心痛欲绝 xīntòngyùjué
heartbroken
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
不顾 búgù
regardless of Dictionary
怀孕 huáiyùn
to be pregnant Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
身体 shēntǐ
body; health Dictionary
飞 fēi
to fly Dictionary
到 dào
to arrive Dictionary
昆仑山 Kūnlún Shān
the Kunlun Mountains Dictionary
去 qù
to go Dictionary
偷 tōu
to steal Dictionary
能 néng
can, be able to Dictionary
起死回生 qǐsǐhuíshēng
to bring the dead back to life Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
仙草 xiāncǎo
magic herb Dictionary
，。，，。
shǒu xiāncǎo de xiāntóng lán zhù tā, liǎng rén dǎ le qǐlai. tā pīnmìng qiǎng dào le xiāncǎo, zìjǐ yě shòu le zhòngshāng, què zhōngyú jiù huó le Xǔ Xiān.
The immortal boys guarding the herb stopped her and they fought. She desperately seized the herb and was badly wounded herself, but at last she brought Xu Xian back to life.
Words in this sentence
守 shǒu
to guard, to wait by Dictionary
仙草 xiāncǎo
magic herb Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
仙童 xiāntóng
immortal boy Dictionary
拦 lán
to stop, to block Dictionary
住 zhù
to stay, to live Dictionary
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
两 liǎng
two Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
打 dǎ
to make (a phone call); to hit Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
起来 qǐlai
(starting to …) Dictionary
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
拼命 pīnmìng
with all one's might Dictionary
抢 qiǎng
to snatch, to steal Dictionary
到 dào
to arrive Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
仙草 xiāncǎo
magic herb Dictionary
自己 zìjǐ
oneself Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
受 shòu
to receive, to be (loved) Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
重伤 zhòngshāng
serious injury Dictionary
却 què
but, yet Dictionary
终于 zhōngyú
finally, at last Dictionary
救 jiù
to rescue Dictionary
活 huó
work Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
许仙 Xǔ Xiān
Xu Xian (name)
，，。。
Xǔ Xiān xǐng lái hòu, míngbai le qīzi duì zìjǐ de shēnqíng, zài yě bú zàihu tā shì rén háishi shé le. kěshì Fǎhǎi bìng bù dǎsuàn fàngguò tāmen.
When Xu Xian woke he understood his wife's deep love for him and no longer cared whether she was human or snake. But Fahai had no intention of letting them go.
Words in this sentence
许仙 Xǔ Xiān
Xu Xian (name)
醒 xǐng
to wake Dictionary
来 lái
to come Dictionary
后 hòu
after, later Dictionary
明白 míngbai
clear (看个明白: find out for oneself) Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
妻子 qīzi
wife Dictionary
对 duì
correct, right Dictionary
自己 zìjǐ
oneself Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
深情 shēnqíng
deep love Dictionary
再 zài
again, any more Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
不 bú
not Dictionary
在乎 zàihu
to care Dictionary
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
人 rén
person, people Dictionary
还是 háishi
or (in questions) Dictionary
蛇 shé
snake Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
可是 kěshì
but Dictionary
法海 Fǎhǎi
Fahai (name) Dictionary
并 bìng
(stresses a negative) Dictionary
不 bù
not Dictionary
打算 dǎsuàn
to intend Dictionary
放过 fàngguò
to let go Dictionary
他们 tāmen
they, them Dictionary
，。，。
tā bǎ Xǔ Xiān piàn dào Jīnshān Sì, guān le qǐlai. Bái Sùzhēn hé Xiǎoqīng gǎn lái yàorén, Fǎhǎi què shuō shénme yě bú fàng.
He lured Xu Xian to Jinshan Temple and locked him up. Bai Suzhen and Xiaoqing came to demand him back, but Fahai would not release him whatever they said.
Words in this sentence
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
把 bǎ
(moves the object before the verb) Dictionary
许仙 Xǔ Xiān
Xu Xian (name)
骗 piàn
to trick Dictionary
到 dào
to arrive Dictionary
金山寺 Jīnshān Sì
Jinshan Temple Dictionary
关 guān
to lock up; captivity Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
起来 qǐlai
(starting to …) Dictionary
白素贞 Bái Sùzhēn
Bai Suzhen (name) Dictionary
和 hé
and Dictionary
小青 Xiǎoqīng
Xiaoqing, the Green Snake (name)
赶 gǎn
to drive away Dictionary
来 lái
to come Dictionary
要人 yàorén
to demand someone back Dictionary
法海 Fǎhǎi
Fahai (name) Dictionary
却 què
but, yet Dictionary
说 shuō
to say, to speak Dictionary
什么 shénme
what Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
不 bú
not Dictionary
放 fàng
to put Dictionary
，，，。“”。
Bái Sùzhēn yíqìzhīxià, diàodòng jiāng lǐ de xiābīngxièjiàng, yǐnlái tāotiān de hóngshuǐ, yān xiàng Jīnshān Sì. zhè jiùshì yǒumíng de“ shuǐmànjīnshān”.
In her fury Bai Suzhen summoned the shrimp soldiers and crab generals of the river and brought a towering flood against Jinshan Temple. This is the famous "Flooding of Jinshan".
Words in this sentence
白素贞 Bái Sùzhēn
Bai Suzhen (name) Dictionary
一气之下 yíqìzhīxià
in a fit of anger Dictionary
调动 diàodòng
to summon, to mobilise Dictionary
江 jiāng
river Dictionary
里 lǐ
in, inside Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
虾兵蟹将 xiābīngxièjiàng
shrimp soldiers and crab generals Dictionary
引来 yǐnlái
to bring about
滔天 tāotiān
towering Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
洪水 hóngshuǐ
flood Dictionary
淹 yān
to flood Dictionary
向 xiàng
to, towards Dictionary
金山寺 Jīnshān Sì
Jinshan Temple Dictionary
这 zhè
this Dictionary
就是 jiùshì
is exactly, is right Dictionary
有名 yǒumíng
famous Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
水漫金山 shuǐmànjīnshān
the Flooding of Jinshan
，。，。
hóngshuǐ méiyǒu chōngkuǎ sìmiào, què yān le fùjìn xǔduō bǎixìng de jiā. Bái Sùzhēn wèicǐ fàn xià le dà cuò, shēnzi yě yuèláiyuè xūruò.
The flood didn't bring down the temple, but it drowned the homes of many people nearby. Bai Suzhen had committed a grave wrong, and she grew weaker and weaker.
Words in this sentence
洪水 hóngshuǐ
flood Dictionary
没有 méiyǒu
there is not; does not have Dictionary
冲垮 chōngkuǎ
to wash away Dictionary
寺庙 sìmiào
temple Dictionary
却 què
but, yet Dictionary
淹 yān
to flood Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
附近 fùjìn
nearby Dictionary
许多 xǔduō
many Dictionary
百姓 bǎixìng
the common people Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
家 jiā
home, family Dictionary
白素贞 Bái Sùzhēn
Bai Suzhen (name) Dictionary
为此 wèicǐ
for this Dictionary
犯 fàn
to commit Dictionary
下 xià
next; down Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
大 dà
big, loud Dictionary
错 cuò
mistake; wrong Dictionary
身子 shēnzi
body Dictionary
也 yě
also, too Dictionary
越来越 yuèláiyuè
more and more Dictionary
虚弱 xūruò
weak Dictionary
，，。
háizi chūshēng yí gè yuè hòu, Fǎhǎi yòng yì zhī jīnbō shōu le Bái Sùzhēn, bǎ tā yā zài le Xī Hú biān de Léifēng Tǎ xià.
A month after the child was born, Fahai captured Bai Suzhen in a golden alms bowl and imprisoned her beneath the Leifeng Pagoda by West Lake.
Words in this sentence
孩子 háizi
child Dictionary
出生 chūshēng
to be born Dictionary
一 yí
one, a Dictionary
个 gè
(measure word for people and things) Dictionary
月 yuè
month Dictionary
后 hòu
after, later Dictionary
法海 Fǎhǎi
Fahai (name) Dictionary
用 yòng
to use Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
只 zhī
(measure word for animals and some objects) Dictionary
金钵 jīnbō
golden alms bowl Dictionary
收 shōu
to capture Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
白素贞 Bái Sùzhēn
Bai Suzhen (name) Dictionary
把 bǎ
(moves the object before the verb) Dictionary
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
压 yā
to press down, to trap under Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
西湖 Xī Hú
West Lake Dictionary
边 biān
side, bank Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
雷峰塔 Léifēng Tǎ
the Leifeng Pagoda Dictionary
下 xià
next; down Dictionary
，，。，，。
xǔduō nián hòu, tā de érzi kǎo zhōng le zhuàngyuan, huídào tǎ qián jìbài mǔqīn. jùshuō tā de xiàoxīn gǎndòng le shàngtiān, Léifēng Tǎ dǎo le, mǔzǐ zhōngyú tuánjù.
Many years later her son came first in the imperial examinations and returned to the pagoda to honour his mother. It is said his devotion moved Heaven: the Leifeng Pagoda fell, and mother and son were at last reunited.
Words in this sentence
许多 xǔduō
many Dictionary
年 nián
year Dictionary
后 hòu
after, later Dictionary
她 tā
she, her Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
儿子 érzi
son Dictionary
考 kǎo
to pass an exam (考上: to get into) Dictionary
中 zhōng
in, among Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
状元 zhuàngyuan
top scholar (of the imperial exam) Dictionary
回到 huídào
to go back to Dictionary
塔 tǎ
pagoda Dictionary
前 qián
front; before Dictionary
祭拜 jìbài
to honour with offerings Dictionary
母亲 mǔqīn
mother Dictionary
据说 jùshuō
it is said Dictionary
他 tā
he, him Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
孝心 xiàoxīn
filial devotion Dictionary
感动 gǎndòng
moved, touched Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
上天 shàngtiān
Heaven Dictionary
雷峰塔 Léifēng Tǎ
the Leifeng Pagoda Dictionary
倒 dǎo
to fall, to collapse Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
母子 mǔzǐ
mother and son Dictionary
终于 zhōngyú
finally, at last Dictionary
团聚 tuánjù
to be reunited Dictionary
，，。，。
yǒuqù de shì, yījiǔ'èrsì nián, zhēnshí de Léifēng Tǎ zhēnde dǎo le. zuòjiā Lǔ Xùn hái zhuānmén xiě le yì piān wénzhāng, tán Léifēng Tǎ de dǎo diào hé Bái Niángzǐ de gùshi.
Interestingly, in 1924 the real Leifeng Pagoda actually did collapse. The writer Lu Xun even wrote an essay about the pagoda's fall and the story of Lady White.
Words in this sentence
有趣 yǒuqù
interesting Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
一九二四 yījiǔ'èrsì
1924
年 nián
year Dictionary
真实 zhēnshí
true, real Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
雷峰塔 Léifēng Tǎ
the Leifeng Pagoda Dictionary
真的 zhēnde
really Dictionary
倒 dǎo
to fall, to collapse Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
作家 zuòjiā
writer Dictionary
鲁迅 Lǔ Xùn
Lu Xun (name) Dictionary
还 hái
also, in addition Dictionary
专门 zhuānmén
specially Dictionary
写 xiě
to write Dictionary
了 le
(marks a completed action or a change) Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
篇 piān
(measure word for articles) Dictionary
文章 wénzhāng
article Dictionary
谈 tán
to talk, to discuss Dictionary
雷峰塔 Léifēng Tǎ
the Leifeng Pagoda Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
倒 dǎo
to fall, to collapse Dictionary
掉 diào
to fall Dictionary
和 hé
and Dictionary
白娘子 Bái Niángzǐ
Lady White
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
故事 gùshi
story Dictionary
。，，。
jīntiān de Léifēng Tǎ shì hòulái chóngjiàn de. měi nián dōu yǒu wúshù yóukè láidào Duànqiáo, zài yǔ zhōng chēng yì bǎ sǎn, xiǎngxiàng yìqiān nián qián de nà cì xiāngyù.
Today's Leifeng Pagoda was rebuilt later. Every year countless visitors come to the Broken Bridge, open an umbrella in the rain and imagine that meeting a thousand years ago.
Words in this sentence
今天 jīntiān
today Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
雷峰塔 Léifēng Tǎ
the Leifeng Pagoda Dictionary
是 shì
to be Dictionary
后来 hòulái
later, afterwards Dictionary
重建 chóngjiàn
to rebuild Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
每 měi
every, each Dictionary
年 nián
year Dictionary
都 dōu
all, both Dictionary
有 yǒu
to have; there is Dictionary
无数 wúshù
countless Dictionary
游客 yóukè
visitor Dictionary
来到 láidào
to come to Dictionary
断桥 Duànqiáo
the Broken Bridge Dictionary
在 zài
at, in; to be at Dictionary
雨 yǔ
rain Dictionary
中 zhōng
in, among Dictionary
撑 chēng
to prop up Dictionary
一 yì
one, a Dictionary
把 bǎ
(moves the object before the verb) Dictionary
伞 sǎn
umbrella Dictionary
想象 xiǎngxiàng
to imagine Dictionary
一千 yìqiān
one thousand
年 nián
year Dictionary
前 qián
front; before Dictionary
的 de
(possessive or describing particle) Dictionary
那 nà
that Dictionary
次 cì
time (occurrence) Dictionary
相遇 xiāngyù
meeting Dictionary

Grammar focus

不料 "unexpectedly, to everyone's surprise"
非……不可 "must, simply have to"

Vocabulary

修炼xiūliànto cultivate (magic powers) Dictionary
身份shēnfènidentity Dictionary
起死回生qǐsǐhuíshēngto bring the dead back to life Dictionary
虚弱xūruòweak Dictionary

Questions

Writing task

你觉得法海是坏人吗？说说你的看法。

Nǐ juéde Fǎhǎi shì huàirén ma? Shuōshuo nǐ de kànfǎ.

Do you think Fahai is a villain? Give your view.

Tips

未必 and 不料 help you weigh a character.

Try it yourself first, then show the model answer

我觉得法海未必是坏人，他真心相信人和妖非分开不可。不料，他的“正义”却让一个家庭破碎了。有时候，固执比坏更可怕。

Wǒ juéde Fǎhǎi wèibì shì huàirén, tā zhēnxīn xiāngxìn rén hé yāo fēi fēnkāi bùkě. Búliào, tā de "zhèngyì" què ràng yí gè jiātíng pòsuì le. Yǒushíhou, gùzhi bǐ huài gèng kěpà.

I don't think Fahai is necessarily a villain: he truly believed humans and spirits had to be kept apart. Yet his "justice" broke a family apart. Sometimes stubbornness is more frightening than wickedness.

About the HSK 7–9 band