DESCRIPTION
The Thousand Character Classic 千字文 (Qiānzì Wén) is a Chinese poem that has been used as a primer for teaching Chinese characters from the sixth century onward. It contains exactly one thousand characters, each used only once, arranged into 250 lines of four characters apiece and grouped into four line rhyming stanzas to make it easy to memorize.
The first line is 天地玄黃 (Tiāndì xuán huáng) 'Heaven and Earth Dark and Yellow') and the last line, 焉哉乎也 (Yān zāi hū yě) explains the use of the grammatical particles "yan", "zai", "hu", and "ye".
Thousand Character Classic 千字文
天地玄黃，宇宙洪荒。
Tiāndì xuán huáng, yǔ zhòu hóng huāng
Heaven is dark, earth golden; the cosmos is vast and diffuse.
日月盈昃，辰宿列張。
Rì yuè yíng zè, chén sù liè zhāng.
Sun and moon wax and wane; the stars are fixed in their constellations.
寒來暑往，秋收冬藏。
Hán lái shǔ wǎng, qiū shōu dōng cáng.
Cold follows warmth in due cycle; in autumn, food is gathered for winter.
閏餘成歲，律呂調陽。
Rùn yú chéng suì, lǜ lǚ tiáo yáng.
Extra days complete the year; Tuning harmonizes Yin and Yang.
雲騰致雨，露結為霜。
Yún téng zhì yǔ, lù jié wéi shuāng.
Clouds ascend to cause rain to fall; morning dew transforms to white frost.
金生麗水，玉出崑岡。
Jīn shēng lì shuǐ, yù chū kūn gāng.
Gold from the Li River; Jade from from Kunlun region.
劍號巨闕, 珠稱夜光。
Jiàn hào jù Quē, zhū chēng yè guāng.
Sword named ‘Great Summit’; Pearl named ‘Night Glow’.
果珍李奈, 菜重芥姜
Guǒ zhēn lǐ nài, cài zhòng jiè jiāng.
Of fruits most prized are pears and crab-apples; of seasonings most valuable mustard and ginger.
海咸河淡, 鱗潛羽翔
Hǎi xián hé dàn, lín qián yǔ xiáng.
Sea is salt, rivers are fresh; fish dive below, birds soar on high.
龍師火帝，鳥官人皇。
Lóng shī huǒ dì, niǎo guān rén huáng.
‘Dragon Master’, ‘Fire Emperor’, ‘Bird Ruler’, ‘Sovereign of Men’.
始制文字，乃服衣裳。
Shǐ zhì wén zì, nǎi fú yī cháng.
Birth of writing and culture; and then clothes were worn.
推位讓國，有虞陶唐。
Tuī wèi ràng guó, yǒu Yú Táo Táng.
The succession to the throne; passed on to Yu, Tao Tang.
吊民伐罪，周發商湯。
Diào mín fá zuì, Zhōu Fā Yīn Tāng.
Support the people and punish crimes; as Zhou Fa and Yin Tang did.
坐朝問道，垂拱平章。
Zuò cháo wèn dào, chuí gǒng píng zhāng.
They sat at court pondering the Way; handing down guidance for a peaceful life.
愛育黎首，臣伏戎羌。
Ài yù lí shǒu, chén fú róng qiāng.
With love they nurtured their people; overcoming by force the wild tribes.
遐邇一體，率賓歸王。
Xiá ěr yī tǐ, shuài bīn guī wáng.
Both distant and near were joined as one; visitors acknowledged the ruler.
鳴鳳在竹，白駒食場。
Míng fèng zài zhú, bái jū shí cháng.
Then the male phoenix called from bamboo thicket and the white foal grazed in the courtyard.
化被草木，賴及萬方。
Huà bèi cǎo mù, lài jí wàn fāng.
Transformation spread even to the grass and trees; sincerity spread everywhere.
蓋此身發，四大五常。
Gài cǐ shēn fà, sì dà wǔ cháng.
Our human bodies (to the tips of our hairs) live under four great elements and five constants.
恭維鞠養，豈敢毀傷。
Gōng wéi jū yǎng, qǐ gǎn huǐ shāng.
Honor those that raised you; do not consider harming yourself.
女慕貞潔，男效才郎。
Nǚ mù zhēn jié, nán xiào cái liáng.
Girls should seek chastity and purity; boys aspire to talent and virtue.
知過必改，得能莫忘。
Zhī guò bì gǎi, dé néng mò wàng.
Recognize faults you must correct; make use of the skills you possess.
罔談彼短，靡恃己長。
Wǎng tán bǐ duǎn, mí shì jǐ cháng.
Do not point out the faults of others; do not waste your own abilities.
信使可覆，器欲難量。
Xìn shǐ kě fù, qì yù nán liàng.
Your truthfulness must withstand challenge; mere capabilities are hard to gauge.
墨悲絲染，詩贊羔羊。
Mò bēi sī rǎn, shī zàn Gāo Yáng.
Mozi was grieved that silk had been dyed; as described in the poem ‘The Lamb’.
景行維賢，克念多聖。
Jǐng xíng wéi xián, kè niàn zuò shèng.
Enlightened actions maintain worthiness; restrain yourself from too much study to become wise.
德建名立，形端表正。
Dé jiàn míng lì, xíng duān biǎo zhèng.
Virtue when established sets up respectability; the upright have correct appearance.
空谷傳聲，虛堂習聽。
Kōng gǔ chuán shēng, xū táng xí tīng.
An empty valley just spreads sound; but even the most modest of halls permits study by attentive listening.
禍因惡積，福緣善慶。
Huò yīn è jī, fú yuán shàn qìng.
Calamity is the reward for accumulating evil; Good fortune is the just reward for benevolence.
尺壁非寶，寸陰是競。
Chǐ bì fēi bǎo, cùn yīn shì jìng.
A foot length of precious jade is not to be valued; rather struggle for just an inch of time.
資父事君，日嚴與敬。
Zī fù shì jūn, yuē yán yǔ jìng.
Sustain your father and serve your lord; that is to say rigorously and respectfully.
孝當竭力，忠則盡命。
Xiào dāng jié lì, zhōng zé jìn mìng.
Devoted to parents to the utmost; loyal until the end of your life.
臨深腹薄，夙興溫清。
Lín shēn lǚ bó, sù xīng wēn qìng.
Take care when facing chasms and walking on thin ice; in the morning rise early whether warm or cold.
似蘭斯馨，如松之盛。
Sì lán sī xīn, rú sōng zhī shèng.
Like the orchid in fragrance; as the pine flourishes.
川流不息，淵澄取映。
Chuān liú bù xī, yuān chéng qǔ yìng
The river flows without ceasing; deep, unruffled waters allow reflection.
容止若思，言辭安定。
Róng zhǐ ruò sī, yán cí ān dìng.
Let your manner by thoughtful; may what you say be calm and disciplined.
篤初誠美，慎終宜令。
Dǔ chū chéng měi, shèn zhōng yí lìng.
To begin earnestly is truly excellent; but carefulness to see it through is equally honorable.
榮業所基，籍甚無竟。
Róng yè suǒ jī, jí shèn wú jìng.
Prodigious study forms the foundation; and then your good reputation will be limitless.
學優登仕，攝職從政。
Xué yōu dēng shì, shè zhí cóng zhèng.
Excel in studies and become an official; master your duties to join in the work of government.
存以甘棠，去而益詠。
Cún yǐ gān táng, qù ér yì yǒng.
While alive, relax under the sweet pear tree; when dead, people will still sing your praises.
樂殊貴賤，禮別尊卑。
Yuè shū guì jiàn, lǐ bié zūn bēi.
Music differentiates the noble and the base; decorum the superior and inferior.
上和下睦，夫唱婦隨。
Shàng hé xià mù, fū chàng fù suí.
With superiors have peace, with inferiors harmony; as the husband's song is accompanied by his wife.
外受傅訓，入奉母儀。
Wài shòu fù xùn, rù fèng mǔ yí.
Out of doors accept your tutor's instruction; at home show respect for mother's counsels.
諸姑伯叔，猶子比兒。
Zhū gū bó shū, yóu zǐ bǐ ér.
Towards each aunt and uncle; be just like you were their own child.
孔懷兄弟，同氣連枝。
Kǒng huái xiōng dì, tóng qì lián zhī.
Care deeply about your brothers; they share the same breath as yourself and are like branches of the same tree.
交友投分，切磨箴規。
Jiāo yǒu tóu fèn, qiè mó zhēn guī.
In friendship each must do their part; cut and polish yourself or else beware!
仁慈隱惻，造次弗離。
Rén cí yǐn cè, zào cì fú lí.
Charitableness, compassion and tender-feeling; it would be rash to abandon them.
節義廉退，顛沛匪虧。
Jié yì lián tuì, diān pèi fěi kuī.
If integrity, justice and honesty are in decline; even though when overwhelmed these should never be lacking.
性靜情逸，心動神疲。
Xìng jìng qíng yì, xīn dòng shén pí.
If your nature is calm, the passions will be subdued; but when the heart is agitated the spirit is wearied.
守真志滿，逐物意移。
Shǒu zhēn zhì mǎn, zhú wù yì yí.
Maintaining purity brings fulfillment; but if you pursue distractions your purpose will waver.
堅持雅操，好爵自縻。
Jiān chí yǎ cāo, hǎo jué zì mí.
Firmly grasp fine aspirations; innate nobility will shield you.
都邑華夏，東西二京。
Dū yì huà xià, dōng xī èr jīng.
The ancient capitals were splendid and glorious; both Eastern and Western capital cities.
背邙面洛，浮渭據涇。
Bèi Máng miàn Luò, fú Wèi jù Jīng.
The first of these is backed by Mount Mang and fronted by the River Luo; around the other is the swift Wei river and the meandering Jing river.
宮殿盤郁，樓觀飛驚。
Gōng diàn pán yù, lóu guān fēi jīng.
Their palaces and halls were built densely; the buildings so high that looking down inspired fear of plunging down.
圖寫禽獸，畫彩仙靈。
Tú xiě qín shòu, huà cǎi xiān líng.
Drawings were made of birds and animals; depictions of immortals and deities.
丙舍傍啟，甲帳對楹。
Bǐng shè bàng qǐ, jiǎ zhàng duì yíng.
Splendid apartments opened out on each side; fine drapes adorn the parallel rows of pillars.
肆筵設席，鼓瑟吹笙。
Sì yán shè xí, gǔ sè chuī shēng.
There were spread out lavish banquets; and there was played the drum, harp and the sheng was blown.
升階納陛，弁轉疑星。
Shēng jiē nà bì, biàn zhuàn yí xīng.
Ascending the steps to the throne; with the whirling hats of officials numberless as the stars.
右通廣內，左達承明。
Yòu tōng guǎng nèi, zuǒ dá chéng míng.
On the right is the library; on the left the scholars' dormitory.
既集墳典，亦聚群英。
Jì jí fén diǎn, yì jù qún yīng.
There can be found the most ancient books and records; and also a host of wise men.
杜稿鐘隸，漆書壁經。
Dù gǎo Zhōng lì, qī shū bì jīng.
Du’s cursive style and Zhong’s formal style; ancient lacquered books and classics concealed in a wall.
府羅將相，路俠槐卿。
Fǔ luó jiàng xiàng, lù xiá huái qīng.
In the mansions senior officials assemble in order; the junior grades flank their path down the road.
戶封八縣，家給千兵。
Hù fēng bā xiàn, jiā jǐ qiān bīng.
Some of these households will be granted eight counties; and to these families a thousand troops.
高冠陪輦，驅轂振纓。
Gāo guān péi niǎn, qū gǔ zhèn yīng.
With their high hats they accompany the Imperial carriage; their ribbons flutter with the rapid stir.
世祿侈富，車駕肥輕。
Shì lù chǐ fù, chē jià féi qīng.
Their inherited wealth gives plenteous riches; their carriages are pulled by sturdy but light steeds.
策功茂實，勒碑刻銘。
Cè gōng mào shí, lè bēi kè míng.
Their noble plans are many and attested; they are carved on stones as inscriptions.
磻溪伊尹，佐時阿衡。
Pán xī Yī Yǐn, zuǒ shí ā héng.
At Pan Brook he hired a man, also Yi Yin; assisted for a while and became chief minister.
奄宅曲阜，微旦孰營？
Yǎn zhái Qū Fù, wēi Dàn shú yíng.
Within Yan is the city of Qufu; who but the Duke of Zhou could have built it?
桓公匡合，濟弱扶傾。
Huán gōng kuāng hé, jì ruò fú qīng.
The Duke of Huan put things in order and united the people; he helped the feeble and revived the stricken.
綺回漢惠，說感武丁。
Qǐ huí Hàn Huì, Yuě gǎn Wǔ Dīng.
Qi returned to aid Han Hui; influenced Wu Ding in a dream.
俊乂密勿，多士實寧。
Jùn yì mì wù, duō shì shí níng.
The talented scholars regulate access to state secrets; and the many who cultivate true peace.
晉楚更霸，趙魏困橫。
Jìn Chǔ gēng bà, Zhào Wèi kùn hèng.
The Jin and Chu states became tyrannical; the states of Zhao and Wei fell into misery and lawlessness.
假途滅虢，踐土會盟。
Jiǎ tú miè Guó, Jiàn Tǔ huì méng.
Feigning a march the Jin army destroyed the state of Guo; at Jian Tu the rulers signed a treaty.
何遵約法，韓弊煩刑。
Hé zūn yuē fǎ, Hán bì fán xíng.
[Xiao] He advocated simple laws; he followed Han [Fei's] philosophy but suffered cruelly under the laws that he himself instigated.
起翦頗牧，用軍最精。
Qǐ Jiǎn Pō Mù, yòng jūn zuì jīng.
The famous generals Qi, Jian, Po and Mu were preeminent in tactics.
宣威沙漠，馳譽丹青。
Xuān wēi Shā mò, chí yù dān qīng.
Tales of their ascendancy reached even the deserts; their reputation swiftly spread and they are immortalized in paintings [literally ‘red’ and ‘green/blue’ and these colors together mean ‘painting’].
九州禹跡，百郡秦并。
Jiǔ zhōu Yǔ jì, bǎi jùn Qín bìng.
All the nine regions of China bear the traces of Yu the Great; All the hundred districts united by the Qin.
岳宗恆岱，禪主云亭。
Yuè zōng Tài dài, chàn zhǔ Yún Tíng.
Of the sacred mountains Taishan is the most honored; at its base are altars at Yun and Ting
雁門紫塞，雞田赤城。
Yàn mén zǐ sài, Jī Tián Chì Chéng.
The Yanmen pass and the Great Wall; Ji Tian station and Chicheng mountain.
昆池碣石，鉅野洞庭。
Kūn chí jié shí, Jù yě Dòng tíng.
Kunming Pool and Jieshi Rocks; Juye Wasteland and Dongting Lake.
曠遠綿邈，岩岫杳冥。
Kuàng yuǎn mián miǎo, yán xiù yǎo míng.
They are vast and distant, enduring forever; shaded cliffs and caverns shrouded in gloom.
治本于農，務茲稼穡。
Zhì běn yú nóng, wù zī jià sè.
Getting to grips with agriculture is vital; always give attention to farm work.
俶載南畝，我藝黍稷。
Chù zǎi nán mǔ, wǒ yì shǔ jì.
The year begins in the southern fields; I cultivate the cereal crop.
稅熟貢新，勸賞黜陟。
Shuì shú gòng xīn, quàn shǎng chù zhì.
The tax due on ripe grain spurs the cultivation of the new crop; indolence is punished, hard-work rewarded.
孟軻敦素，史魚秉直。
Mèng Kē dūn sù, Shǐ Yú bǐng zhí.
Mencius was kind-hearted and genuine; Shi Yu was steadfastly truthful.
庶几中庸，勞謙謹敕
Shù jī zhōng yōng, láo qiān jǐn chì.
They neared the Golden Medium; striving for modesty and obeying orders.
聆音察理，鑒貌辨色。
Líng yīn chá lǐ, jiàn mào biàn sè.
Listen to what is said and examine its logic; scrutinize people's countenance and their appearance.
貽厥嘉猷，勉其祗植。
Yí jué jiā yóu, miǎn qí zhī zhí.
Make your exemplary principles your legacy; exert yourself so as to nurture respectfulness.
省躬譏誠，寵增抗極。
xǐng gōng jī jiè, chǒng zēng kàng jí.
Scrutinize yourself when mocked and admonished; zealously guard against praise inflating self-esteem.
殆辱近恥，林皋幸即。
Dài rǔ jìn chǐ, lín gāo xìng jí.
When malevolent dishonor and disgrace comes near; spend time visiting the woods and streams.
兩疏見機，解組誰逼？
Liǎng Shū jiàn jī, jiě zǔ shéi bī.
The two Shu brothers observing other's intentions resigned from office, no-one compelled them.
索居閑處，沉默寂寥。
Suǒ jū xián chù, chén mò jì liáo.
Look for a tranquil place to live; to meditate alone.
求古尋論，散慮逍遙。
Qiú gǔ xún lùn, sàn lǜ xiāo yáo.
Seek out and ponder on ancient writings; dispel worries and take your leisure.
欣奏累遣，戚謝歡招。
Xīn zòu lèi qiǎn, qī xiè huān zhāo.
Enjoy music to banish tension; troubles wane as joy is welcomed.
渠荷的歷，園莽抽條。
Qú hé de lì, yuán mǎng chōu tiáo.
In the waterways the lotus plant grows; in the countryside lush wild-flowers flourish.
枇杷晚翠，梧棟早凋。
Pí pá wǎn cuì, Wú tóng zǎo diāo.
The Loquat tree retains its green leaves; while the Wutong tree's leaves are early to fade.
陳根委翳，落業飄搖。
Chén gēn wěi yì, luò yè piāo yáo.
Old roots suffer from decay and are cast aside; the fallen leaves float down forlornly in the wind.
游鵾獨運，凌摩絳霄。
Yóu Kūn dú yùn, líng mó jiàng xiāo.
The huge, roaming bird journeys alone; soaring to touch the purple heavens.
耽讀玩市，寓目囊箱。
Dān dú wán shì, yù mù náng xiāng.
Indulge reading for fun at the market; with a roving eye look for new boxes of books.
易輶攸畏，屬耳垣牆。
Yì yóu yōu wèi, zhǔ ěr yuán qiáng.
Gossip and rash talk should be dreaded; as even apartment walls have ears.
具膳餐飯，適口充腸。
Jù shàn cān fàn, shì kǒu chōng cháng.
When preparing meals eat plain food; suit the palate and fill the stomach.
飽飫烹宰，飢厭糟糠。
Bǎo yù pēng zǎi, jī yàn zāo kāng.
Gluttons will gorge on boiled meat; the starving will relish even the poorest husks.
親戚故舊，老少異糧。
Qīn qī gù jiù, lǎo shào yì liáng.
Relatives and old friends; the old and the young like different food.
妾御績紡，侍巾帷房。
Qiè yù jì fǎng, shì jīn wéi fáng.
The concubines run the chores; they do the laundry and tidy rooms.
紈扇圓潔，銀燭煒煌。
Wán shàn yuán xié, yín zhú wěi huáng.
White silk fans round and unblemished; silver light of brilliant candles.
晝眠夕寢，藍筍象床。
Zhòu mián xī mèi, lán sǔn xiàng chuáng.
For snoozing at noon and sleeping at night; blue bamboo mats and ivory framed beds.
弦歌酒宴，接杯舉觴。
Xián gē jiǔ yàn, jiē bēi jǔ shāng.
Amidst music and feasting; raise the glass and make a toast.
矯手頓足，悅豫且康。
Jiǎo shǒu dùn zú, yuè yù qiě kāng.
Wave the hands and stomp your feet; everyone is joyful and at ease.
嫡後嗣續，祭祀烝嘗。
Dí hòu sì xù, jì sì zhēng cháng.
May the principal heir endure; offer sacrifices at the appropriate season.
稽顙再拜，悚懼恐惶。
Qǐ sǎng zài bài, sǒng jù kǒng huáng.
Kowtowing to the ground repeatedly; in dread, awe and trembling.
箋牒簡要，顧答審詳。
Jiān dié jiǎn yào, gù dá shěn xiáng.
In correspondence be concise; give carefully considered and comprehensive replies.
骸垢想浴，執熱愿涼。
Hái gòu xiǎng yù, zhí rè yuàn liáng.
When dirty to the bone we desire a bath; when we grasp something too hot we crave coolness.
驢騾犢特，駭躍超驤。
Lǖ luó dú tè, hài yuè chāo xiāng.
Just as donkeys, camels, calves and bullocks; when startled, they leap around and take flight.
誅斬賊盜，捕獲叛亡。
Zhū zhǎn zéi dào, bǔ huò pàn wáng.
Punish by beheading thieves, traitors and robbers; seize the rebels who flee.
布射遼丸，嵇琴阮嘯。
Bù shè Liáo wán, Jī qín Ruǎn xiào.
Lu Bu the archer, Yi Liao the juggler; Ji Kang the musician and Ruan Ji the flute player.
恬筆倫紙，鈞巧任釣。
Tián bǐ Lún zhǐ, Jūn qiǎo Rén diào.
Tian invented the writing brush, Lun paper; Jun was an inventor, Ren an angler.
釋紛利俗，并皆佳妙。
Shì fēn lì sú, bìng jiē jiā miào.
They all overcame life's difficulties and brought benefits to all; taken together they were all marvelous.
毛施淑姿，工顰妍笑。
Máo Shī shū zī, gōng pín yán xiào.
Mao and Shi were benevolent and beautiful; even while working their frowns were charming.
年矢每催，曦暉朗曜。
Nián shǐ měi cuī, xī huī lǎng yào.
Years pass like flying arrows each in urgent haste; but the sun continues to shine bright and glorious.
璇璣懸斡，晦魄環照。
Xuán Jī xuán wò, huì pò huán zhào.
The Big Dipper hangs and turns in the sky; the pale moon light encompasses the luminous earth.
指薪修祜，永綏吉劭。
Zhǐ xīn xiū hù, yǒng suí jí shào.
Like the tinder that lights fires; always encourage and then good fortune will be the reward for effort.
矩步引領，俯仰廊廟。
Jǔ bù yǐn lǐng, fǔ yǎng láng miào.
Regulate your pace and lead the way; bowing at the Imperial court.
束帶矜庄，徘徊瞻眺。
Shù dài jīn zhuāng, pái huái zhān tiào.
Girt with your belt esteemed and grand; walking with hesitancy as you gaze around your lands.
孤陋寡聞，愚蒙等誚。
Gū lòu guǎ wén, yú méng děng qiào.
Fools and numbskulls; dunderheads and the absurd may deride you.
謂語助者，焉哉乎也。
Wèi yǔ zhù zhě, yān zāi hū yě.
At last these will help: that's it, all done, finito, the end.