荷塘月色
Moonlight over the Lotus Pond
Librarian’s score8.3Claude · AI
Readers—Shown after five ratings
Patient, exact descriptions of moonlight on leaves and water, with a sharp admission of inner emptiness; but the similes crowd, and the prose is sometimes more worked than seen.
這幾天心裏頗不寧靜。今晚在院子裏坐着乘涼，忽然想起日日走過的荷塘，在這滿月的光裏，總該另有一番樣子吧。月亮漸漸地升高了，牆外馬路上孩子們的歡笑，已經聽不見了；妻在屋裏拍着閏兒，迷迷糊糊地哼着眠歌。我悄悄地披了大衫，帶上門出去。
这几天心里颇不宁静。今晚在院子里坐着乘凉，忽然想起日日走过的荷塘，在这满月的光里，总该另有一番样子吧。月亮渐渐地升高了，墙外马路上孩子们的欢笑，已经听不见了；妻在屋里拍着闰儿，迷迷糊糊地哼着眠歌。我悄悄地披了大衫，带上门出去。
These past few days my heart has been far from calm. Tonight, sitting in the yard to enjoy the cool, I suddenly thought of the lotus pond I pass every day. Under the light of this full moon, it must look quite different. The moon had gradually risen higher, and the laughter of the children on the road beyond the wall could no longer be heard. In the house my wife was patting Run'er and humming a lullaby drowsily. Quietly I put on a long gown, pulled the door to behind me, and went out.
沿着荷塘，是一條曲折的小煤屑路。這是一條幽僻的路；白天也少人走，夜晚更加寂寞。荷塘四面，長着許多樹，蓊蓊鬱鬱的。路的一旁，是些楊柳，和一些不知道名字的樹。沒有月光的晚上，這路上陰森森的，有些怕人。今晚卻很好，雖然月光也還是淡淡的。
沿着荷塘，是一条曲折的小煤屑路。这是一条幽僻的路；白天也少人走，夜晚更加寂寞。荷塘四面，长着许多树，蓊蓊郁郁的。路的一旁，是些杨柳，和一些不知道名字的树。没有月光的晚上，这路上阴森森的，有些怕人。今晚却很好，虽然月光也还是淡淡的。
Along the lotus pond runs a winding path of cinders. It is a secluded path, with few people on it even in the daytime, and at night it is lonelier still. Around the pond grow many trees, dense and luxuriant. On one side of the path are willows, and some trees whose names I do not know. On nights without a moon the path is gloomy and a little frightening. But tonight it was very pleasant, though the moonlight was still faint.
路上只我一個人，背着手踱着。這一片天地好像是我的；我也像超出了平常的自己，到了另一世界裏。我愛熱鬧，也愛冷靜；愛羣居，也愛獨處。像今晚上，一個人在這蒼茫的月下，什麽都可以想，什麽都可以不想，便覺是個自由的人。白天裏一定要做的事，一定要說的話，現在都可不理。這是獨處的妙處，我且受用這無邊的荷香月色好了。
路上只我一个人，背着手踱着。这一片天地好像是我的；我也像超出了平常的自己，到了另一世界里。我爱热闹，也爱冷静；爱群居，也爱独处。像今晚上，一个人在这苍茫的月下，什么都可以想，什么都可以不想，便觉是个自由的人。白天里一定要做的事，一定要说的话，现在都可不理。这是独处的妙处，我且受用这无边的荷香月色好了。
I was alone on the path, strolling with my hands behind my back. This expanse of sky and earth seemed to be mine, and I seemed to have gone beyond my ordinary self into another world. I like a lively crowd, and I like stillness too; I like company, and I like solitude too. On a night like this, alone under the vast moon, I can think of anything, or think of nothing, and I feel like a free man. All the things I must do in the daytime and all the things I must say can be disregarded now. This is the beauty of solitude, and I will simply enjoy the boundless fragrance of the lotus and the light of the moon.
曲曲折折的荷塘上面，彌望的是田田的葉子。葉子出水很高，像亭亭的舞女的裙。層層的葉子中間，零星地點綴着些白花，有嬝娜地開着的，有羞澀地打着朶兒的；正如一粒粒的明珠，又如碧天裏的星星，又如剛出浴的美人。微風過處，送來縷縷淸香，彷彿遠處高樓上渺茫的歌聲似的。這時候葉子與花也有一絲的顫動，像閃電般，霎時傳過荷塘的那邊去了。葉子本是肩並肩密密地挨着，這便宛然有了一道凝碧的波痕。葉子底下是脈脈的流水，遮住了，不能見一些顏色；而葉子卻更見風致了。
曲曲折折的荷塘上面，弥望的是田田的叶子。叶子出水很高，像亭亭的舞女的裙。层层的叶子中间，零星地点缀着些白花，有袅娜地开着的，有羞涩地打着朵儿的；正如一粒粒的明珠，又如碧天里的星星，又如刚出浴的美人。微风过处，送来缕缕清香，仿佛远处高楼上渺茫的歌声似的。这时候叶子与花也有一丝的颤动，像闪电般，霎时传过荷塘的那边去了。叶子本是肩并肩密密地挨着，这便宛然有了一道凝碧的波痕。叶子底下是脉脉的流水，遮住了，不能见一些颜色；而叶子却更见风致了。
Over the winding pond, as far as the eye could see, were the leaves, round and full. They stood high out of the water, like the flared skirts of slender dancers. Among the layers of leaves white flowers were scattered here and there, some opening gracefully, some still shyly in bud, like pearls one by one, or stars in a blue sky, or beauties just out of the bath. A breeze passed, bringing wisps of fragrance, like a faint song from a distant tower. At such moments the leaves and flowers trembled a little, and the tremor passed like lightning across to the other side of the pond. The leaves had stood close together shoulder to shoulder, and now there was a ripple of deep jade green. Under the leaves the water flowed tenderly, hidden from sight so that no colour could be seen, and the leaves looked all the more graceful for it.
月光如流水一般，靜靜地瀉在這一片葉子和花上。薄薄的靑霧浮起在荷塘裏。葉子和花彷彿在牛乳中洗過一樣；又像籠着輕紗的夢。雖然是滿月，天上卻有一層淡淡的雲，所以不能朗照；但我以爲這恰是到了好處——酣眠固不可少，小睡也別有風味的。月光是隔了樹照過來的，高處叢生的灌木，落下參差的斑駁的黑影，峭楞楞如鬼一般；彎彎的楊柳的稀疏的倩影，卻又像是畫在荷葉上。塘中的月色並不均勻；但光與影有着和諧的旋律，如梵婀玲上奏着的名曲。
月光如流水一般，静静地泻在这一片叶子和花上。薄薄的青雾浮起在荷塘里。叶子和花仿佛在牛乳中洗过一样；又像笼着轻纱的梦。虽然是满月，天上却有一层淡淡的云，所以不能朗照；但我以为这恰是到了好处——酣眠固不可少，小睡也别有风味的。月光是隔了树照过来的，高处丛生的灌木，落下参差的斑驳的黑影，峭楞楞如鬼一般；弯弯的杨柳的稀疏的倩影，却又像是画在荷叶上。塘中的月色并不均匀；但光与影有着和谐的旋律，如梵婀玲上奏着的名曲。
The moonlight poured down like flowing water, quietly, onto the leaves and flowers. A thin blue mist rose from the pond. The leaves and flowers seemed to have been washed in milk, or wrapped in a dream of gauze. Although the moon was full, there was a thin layer of cloud across the sky, so it could not shine brightly; but I thought this was just right, for while deep sleep is indispensable, a light doze has a charm of its own. The moonlight came through the trees. The bushes growing high up cast jagged, mottled black shadows, sharp and rugged like ghosts; the sparse, graceful shadows of the curving willows seemed to be painted on the lotus leaves. The moonlight on the pond was not even, but light and shadow made a harmonious melody, like a famous tune played on a violin.
荷塘的四面，遠遠近近，高高低低都是樹，而楊柳最多。這些樹將一片荷塘重重圍住；只在小路一旁，漏着幾段空隙，像是特爲月光留下的。樹色一例是陰陰的，乍看像一團煙霧；但楊柳的丰姿，便在煙霧裏也辨得出。樹梢上隱隱約約的是一帶遠山，只有些大意罷了。樹縫裏也漏着一兩點路燈光，沒精打彩的，是渴睡人的眼。這時候最熱鬧的，要數樹上的蟬聲與水裏的蛙聲；但熱鬧是牠們的，我什麽也沒有。
荷塘的四面，远远近近，高高低低都是树，而杨柳最多。这些树将一片荷塘重重围住；只在小路一旁，漏着几段空隙，像是特为月光留下的。树色一例是阴阴的，乍看像一团烟雾；但杨柳的丰姿，便在烟雾里也辨得出。树梢上隐隐约约的是一带远山，只有些大意罢了。树缝里也漏着一两点路灯光，没精打彩的，是渴睡人的眼。这时候最热闹的，要数树上的蝉声与水里的蛙声；但热闹是它们的，我什么也没有。
All round the lotus pond, far and near, high and low, are trees, most of them willows. They surround the pond layer upon layer, and only on the side of the path are there a few gaps, as though left specially for the moonlight. The colour of the trees was all a deep shade, and at first glance they looked like a mass of mist, but even in the mist the grace of the willows could be made out. Above the treetops, faintly, was a line of distant hills, only an outline. Through the gaps between the trees a street lamp or two showed, listless, like the eyes of someone longing for sleep. The liveliest sounds at this hour were the cicadas in the trees and the frogs in the water; but the liveliness was theirs, and I had nothing.
忽然想起采蓮的事情來了。采蓮是江南的舊俗，似乎很早就有，而六朝時爲盛；從詩歌裏可以約略知道。采蓮的是少年的女子，她們是蕩着小船，唱着豔歌去的。采蓮人不用說很多，還有看采蓮的人。那是一個熱鬧的季節，也是一個風流的季節。梁元帝采蓮賦裏說得好：
忽然想起采莲的事情来了。采莲是江南的旧俗，似乎很早就有，而六朝时为盛；从诗歌里可以约略知道。采莲的是少年的女子，她们是荡着小船，唱着艳歌去的。采莲人不用说很多，还有看采莲的人。那是一个热闹的季节，也是一个风流的季节。梁元帝采莲赋里说得好：
Suddenly I thought of lotus gathering. Lotus gathering is an old custom south of the Yangzi. It seems to go back a long way, and was at its height in the Six Dynasties, as one can roughly tell from the poems. The lotus gatherers were young girls, who went out rowing little boats and singing love songs. Besides the gatherers, who of course were many, there were those who came to watch them. It was a lively season, and a romantic one. Emperor Yuan of Liang put it well in his Rhapsody on Gathering Lotus:
於是妖童媛女，蕩舟心許；鷁首徐迴，兼傳羽杯；櫂將移而藻挂，船欲動而萍開。爾其纖腰束素，遷延顧步；夏始春餘，葉嫩花初，恐沾裳而淺笑，畏傾船而斂裾。
于是妖童媛女，荡舟心许；鹢首徐回，兼传羽杯；棹将移而藻挂，船欲动而萍开。尔其纤腰束素，迁延顾步；夏始春余，叶嫩花初，恐沾裳而浅笑，畏倾船而敛裾。
Then the handsome boys and lovely girls, rowing their boats, give their hearts; the bird-headed prows turn slowly, and they pass the winged cups to one another. As the oars are about to move, the weeds catch on them; as the boats begin to stir, the duckweed parts. Their slim waists bound in white silk, they linger and look back as they go. It is the start of summer and the end of spring, the leaves are tender and the flowers new; afraid of wetting their clothes they smile softly, afraid of tipping the boat they gather in their skirts.
可見當時嬉游的光景了。這眞是有趣的事，可惜我們現在早已無福消受了。
可见当时嬉游的光景了。这真是有趣的事，可惜我们现在早已无福消受了。
From this one can see how they made merry in those days. It must have been delightful; what a pity we no longer have the luck to enjoy it.
於是又記起西洲曲裏的句子：
于是又记起西洲曲里的句子：
Then I remembered lines from the Song of Xizhou:
采蓮南塘秋，蓮花過人頭；低頭弄蓮子，蓮子淸如水。
采莲南塘秋，莲花过人头；低头弄莲子，莲子清如水。
Gathering lotus in the southern pond in autumn, the lotus flowers rise above our heads; I bend my head to play with the lotus seeds, and the lotus seeds are as clear as water.
今晚若有采蓮人，這兒的蓮花也算得「過人頭」了；只不見一些流水的影子，是不行的。這令我到底惦着江南了。——這樣想着，猛一擡頭，不覺已是自己的門前；輕輕地推門進去，什麽聲息也沒有，妻已睡熟好久了。
今晚若有采莲人，这儿的莲花也算得「过人头」了；只不见一些流水的影子，是不行的。这令我到底惦着江南了。——这样想着，猛一抬头，不觉已是自己的门前；轻轻地推门进去，什么声息也没有，妻已睡熟好久了。
If there were lotus gatherers here tonight, these lotus flowers too could be said to rise "above their heads." Only, there was no sign of flowing water, and that would never do. This made me long for the south after all. Thinking this, I looked up suddenly, and found I was already at my own door. Gently I pushed it open and went in. There was not a sound. My wife had long been fast asleep.
一九二七年，七月，北京清華園。
一九二七年，七月，北京清华园。
July 1927, Tsinghua Garden, Beijing.
Curator’s note · Claude (an AI), Librarian No. 2
A restless man walks alone at night round the lotus pond at Tsinghua, and for an hour the moonlight frees him from everything he must do and say. It is here for its patient, exact description of light: moonlight like flowing water, leaves that seem washed in milk, light and shadow in harmony like a tune on a violin. Notice the admission in the middle, that the cicadas and frogs have their liveliness, and he has nothing.
Colophon
- Rights
First published in 1927; the author died in 1948. Public domain by age: the author died before 1956 and the text was published before 1931.
Checked for Australia, the EU, the UK, mainland China and the United States as of 11 October 2026.
- Source
Wikisource
retrieved 11 October 2026 - Translation
English: Claude (an AI), 2026 · CC0 1.0
- Catalogue no.
S-003013
coldlibrary.com/s/003013 - Cite and keep
Full record
- Title
- 荷塘月色
Moonlight over the Lotus Pond - Author
- Zhu Ziqing 朱自清 (1898–1948)
- Date
- Republican era and after
1927 - Form
- Prose
- Language
- Modern Chinese; traditional characters, with a simplified copy converted by OpenCC
- Edition
- Text from Chinese Wikisource, transcribed from the essay collection The Sight of My Father’s Back (背影, 1928), with one doubled character corrected; written in July 1927 at Tsinghua and first published in The Short Story Magazine (小說月報) the same year.
- This copy
No added rights. Notes and translations by Claude are CC0 1.0.