Classical Chinese 9-13 Flashcards
What does 初 mean?
Beginning; initially, from the beginning, at first, earlier.
What does 前 mean?
Front, formerly, at first; to come forward, to step forward
What does 及 mean?
- To reach to, to extend to, to come up to [in quality, ability, or virtue].
- When the time came that…*
- And (connects nouns only)
Eg. 及彌子瑕色衰而愛弛，得罪於君 When the time came that Mizi XIa’s attractiveness had declined, as a result their love grew weak, it offended the ruler.
What does 口 mean?
Mouth, opening.
Eg. 愛我而忘其口味﹗He loves me therefore/so he forgets the flavour of the peach!
What does 告 mean?
To announce, to request; announcement.
彌子瑕之母疾，人聞，
夜往告之。 Mizi Xia’s mother fell sick and others heard, and at night they went to tell him.
What does 夜 mean?
Night; at night; nightly.
What does 奉 (feng4) mean?
- To offer [to a superior], to accept [from a superior].*
- Service, attendance
Eg. 彌子瑕食桃而甘，不盡而奉君。 Mizi Xia ate a peach and considered it/thought/found it to be sweet, he did not eat it all (did not use it all up)/finish eating it and offered it to the ruler/lord (as a gift).
What does 彌 mean?
Increasingly. (is part of Mizi Xia’s name)
What does 必 mean?
To be necessary, to have to; necessarily.
故子瑕之行，未必變初. Thus, Zi Xia’s previous behaviour/conduct had not/did not necessarily changed from before.
What does 忘 mean?
To forget.
愛我而忘其口味 = “He loves me therefore/so he forgets the flavour of the peach (forgets its flavour)!
What does 故 mean?
- Reason; consequently; deliberately; deliberate action.*
- Previously, before, in the past; precedent, consistency.
How is 故 used as a cover
為母之故，犯刖罪哉。 “For the reason of his mother, he committed a foot-
chopping crime.”
In this particular use of the pattern 為 X (之) 故, 為 is operating in its coverb function, “for the reason of” (but may also be implying the sense “for the sake of”).
故 is the object of the coverb, modified by “mother.” Even more common is the pattern 以 X 之故, “by means of the reason of X.” It is more or less identical in meaning to the former pattern.
What are the uses outside of its coverb function, for 故?
- As a noun meaning “reason” or “motive”
As an adverb: meaning “deliberately” or “with a purpose”: 「是故嘗矯駕吾車，又嘗食我以餘桃﹗」“ This [fellow] deliberately drove my carriage under false pretenses (some deliberate event to offend “me”/the ruler), moreover in the past/often he fed me through leftover peaches/ he fed me [using] leftover peaches. - To indicate consequence of an action or event; it occurs at the beginning of a phrase and is translated as “consequently” or “therefore.”
故子瑕之行，未必變初
也。前見賢，後獲罪者，愛憎之生變也 Thus/therefore, Zi Xia’s previous behaviour/conduct had not/did not necessarily changed from before. The fact that he was formerly considered to be worthy, and afterwards received punishment (obtained an offence) is because the rise of the change from love to hate.
What does 未 mean?
Not yet, never.
What does 果 mean?
Fruit; to pan out, to result; as expected.
- “Fruit was the original meaning of the character. The more abstract meanings developed from the idea of something “coming to fruition”.
What does 母 mean?
Mother.
What does 法 mean?
Rule, law, custom.
What does 甘 mean?
Sweet; to be sweet; to find sweet; to spoil [a child]; to indulge.
彌子瑕食桃而甘: Mizi Xia ate a peach and considered it/thought/found it to be sweet
What does 疾 mean?
- Sick; illness; ache, aching, sore.*
- Swift; rapidly.
- To criticize, to hate.
彌子瑕之母疾，人聞，
夜往告之。彌子瑕擅駕君車而出。 Mizi Xia’s mother fell sick and others heard, and at night they went to tell him. Mizi Xia selfishly drove/took the ruler’s carriage as he went out
What does 色 mean?
Colour, attractiveness, surface appearance; facial expression; sexuality.
What does 衛 (wei4) mean?
- Wei (a small sate in pre-imperial China).*
- Guards, guardsmen.
What does 衰 mean?
To wither, to decline, to wane, to weaken.
What does 變 mean?
To change, to alter; change, alteration; disaster.
What does 車 mean?
Cart, carriage, chariot.
車見竊: The carriage was stolen.
What does 遊 mean?
To travel about, to have fun, to play, to associate [with friends].
君遊果園: The ruler was hanging out/spending time in a fruit garden/orchard.
What does 餘 mean?
Leftover, remaining, extra.
是故嘗矯駕吾車，又嘗食我以餘桃﹗: This [fellow] deliberately drove my carriage under false pretenses (some deliberate event to offend “me”/the ruler), moreover in the past/often he fed me through leftover peaches/ he fed me [using] leftover peaches.
What does 駕 mean?
To drive a carriage; carriage.
What does 味 mean?
Taste; to taste.
What does 園 mean?
Garden.
What does 桃 mean?
Peace, peach tree, peach blossom.
桃見食: The peach was eaten.
What does 犯 mean?
To commit a crime, to violate, to sin against; offense, crime.
為母之故，犯刖罪哉: The deliberate action/act for her mother/for the reason of his mother, he committed/violated a foot-chopping crime/to commit a foot-chopping crime!“
What does 矯 (jiao1) mean?
To falsify, to fake, to pretend, to forge; falsely, under false pretenses.
是故嘗矯駕吾車，又嘗食我以餘桃: “ This [fellow] deliberately drove my carriage under false pretenses (some deliberate event to offend “me”/the ruler), moreover in the past/often he fed me through leftover peaches/ he fed me [using] leftover peaches.
What does 竊 (qie4) mean?
- Secretly, without authorization.*
- To steal.
- “In my own humble way…” “in my humble opinion” [adverb marking a modest assertion by the speaker].
What does 二 mean?
Two; twice; second.
晏子至，楚王賜晏
子酒，酒酣，吏二縛一人詣王，王曰：Master Yan arrived, then the King of Chu gifted Master Yan alcohol, when/once the banquet (formal situation) was under way, two guards bound one person and went to the prince, the prince said.
What does 于 mean?
[Multipurpose preposition]. in, at, from, to, on, with regard to,
今民生長于齊不盜，入楚則盜，得無楚之水土使民善盜耶﹖: At present, the people who are born and raised in the state of Qi they don’t steal, if they enter Chu then they will steal (if they step foot into Chu then they will become a thief), could it be that the water and soil of Chu causes good people to steal?
What does 似 mean?
To resemble, to imitate.
What does 來 mean?
To come.
What does 北 mean?
North, northern.
What does 南 mean?
South; southern.
What does 右 mean?
Right.
What does 左右 mean?
Retainers, courtiers.
This common term for the ruler’s supporters obviously derives from its locational meaning
(lit., “[people] to the left and right”).
What does 同 mean?
Same, equal; together; to share.
「嬰聞之，橘生淮南則
為橘，生于淮北則為枳，葉徒相似，其實味不同。(Ying) I have heard that if the Mandarin orange tree is born from the south of the Huai River then it will become an orange tree, If the Mandarin orange tree is born from the North of the Huai River, then it will become a zhi tree（bitter, medicinal orange → not really edible, not juicy nor sweet, sour), only the leaf of the tree resemble each other, the taste of its fruit is not the same.
What does 吏 mean?
An official, a clerk, a policeman or guard.
吏二縛一人詣王: two guards bound one person and went to the prince,.
What does 土 mean?
Earth, soil, clay; land, territory.
水土異也: It is the difference of the water and the soil.
What does 固 mean?
- Definitely; assuredly.*
- Stubbornly; firm, unyielding.
齊人固善盜乎: “People of the state of Qi are always (is it a fact that the people from Qi are great at stealing?) skilled at robbery?”
What does 將 mean?
jiang1 (1-2)
1. About to (marks the future tense or intention).*
2. To lead, to bring, to take with one, to wear.
3. general, commander; to command, to lead.
晏子將使楚: Master Yan was about to go to Chu.
What does 左 mean?
Left. 左右： retainters, courtiers.
What does 席 (xi2) mean?
Straw mat (for sitting), place, seat [at a banquet or other formal occasion].
晏子避席對曰: Master Yan moved backwards on his mat and replied (he is backing up from where he is sitting to begin his speech → politeness → moved back from his seat),
What does 徒 (tu2) mean?
- Only, merely.*
- In vain, uselessly.
- Disciple; followers; foot soldier.
- [Suffix for one who engages in a certain occupation or pastime, for example: 博徒,
“gambler.”
橘生淮南則
為橘，生于淮北則為枳，葉徒相似，其實味不同: if the Mandarin orange tree is born from the south of the Huai River then it will become an orange tree, If the Mandarin orange tree is born from the North of the Huai River, then it will become a zhi tree（bitter, medicinal orange → not really edible, not juicy nor sweet, sour), only the leaf of the tree resemble each other, the taste of its fruit is not the same.
What does 楚 mean?
The state of Chu.
What does 淮 mean?
The Huai River.
What does 王 mean?
King, prince.*
2. To take the throne, to declare oneself king, to rule as a king.
What does 異 (yi4) mean?
- Different; difference.*
- To differentiate, to tell apart.
- Strange, peculiar, extraordinary.
- To consider strange.
水土異也。It is the difference of the water and the soil.
What does 盜 (dao4) mean?
To rob, to steal; robbery.
今
民生長于齊不盜，入楚則盜，得無楚之水土使民善盜耶: At present, the people who are born and raised in the state of Qi they don’t steal, if they enter Chu then they will steal (if they step foot into Chu then they will become a thief), could it be that the water and soil of Chu causes good people to steal?
What does 習 mean?
To practice, to study; to be thoroughly familiar with or practiced in; habit, routine.
齊之習辭者也: the one of the state of Qi that is practiced in speech making/practiced in speaking,
What does 葉 (ye4) mean?
Leaf [of a tree].
What does 視 mean?
To look at, to see, to observe.
What does 實 mean?
- Fruit; to bear fruit. *
- Truth, reality; solid, substantial, real.
- Really, truly.
4 Honest, sincere.
「嬰聞之，橘生淮南則
為橘，生于淮北則為枳，葉徒相似，其實味不同: “(Ying) I have heard that if the Mandarin orange tree is born from the south of the Huai River then it will become an orange tree, If the Mandarin orange tree is born from the North of the Huai River, then it will become a zhi tree（bitter, medicinal orange → not really edible, not juicy nor sweet, sour), only the leaf of the tree resemble each other, the taste of its fruit is not the same.
What does 辭 (ci2) mean?
- Words, diction, language; rhetoric, oratory, speech making.*
- To take leave of, to say goodbye to.
- To refuse, to reject.
What does 過 mean?
- To pass by, to cross.*
- Error, mistake, indiscretion; to make a mistake, to be in error.
- To surpass; to go to excess, to go too far.
臣請縛一人，過王而行: I/your humble servant request to tie up/bind a person, then go pass by the prince.
What does 長 mean?
zhang3 (1-2); chang2 (3-4)
1. To grow up.*
2. To preside over; to lead; leader.
3. Long.
4. Always, constantly.
What does 曷 (he2) mean?
What, how, why. [question word].
縛者曷為者也﹖ : “Who is this bound man?”
What does 晏 (yan4) mean?
- Clear; peaceful, quiet.
- Yan. [a surname]*
Eg. 晏子: Master Yan.
What does 辱 (ru3) mean?
To humiliate; humiliation.
吾欲辱之，何以也﹖」I want to humiliate him, with what do I do it?/how do I do it?
What does 避 mean?
To avoid, to avert, to evade, to hide from.
避席: To move backward on one’s mat (out of politeness)
What does 上 mean?
on top of, above, at the front of; to go up, to offer up; superiors
桓公與莊公既盟於壇上: After Duke Huan and Duke Zhuang formed an alliance on top of an alter/the platform..
What does 位 mean?
Place, position; throne, royal position.
After the speech was over, Cao Mo casted aside his dagger and got down from the alter, he faced North and went to the ministers’ place.
既已言，曹沫投其匕首，下壇，北面就群臣之位.
What does 侯 mean?
“Marquis”
諸侯: The feudal lords.”
What does 利 mean?
Profit, advantage; to profit, to enrich.
不可﹗夫貪小利以
自快，棄信於諸侯，失天下之援。不如與之。“It’s not permissible!” Now then… (if you are greedy for small this small profits for your own happiness, this will cause feudal lords to abandon their faith in you, and you will lose the world’s support/support of the world. This is not as good as giving them it [the land]. “
What does 力 mean?
Strength, power, ability.
What does 勇 mean?
Courage, bravery; courageous, brave.
What does 動 mean?
To move, to take action.
What does 和 mean?
Harmony, peace; harmonious; to make peace, to harmonize with.
魯莊公懼，乃獻遂邑之地以和，猶復以為將. Duke Zhuang of Lu was afraid, so he then offered the land of the town of Sui in order to make peace [with them], still again used [Cao Mu] as a general.
What does 問 mean?
To ask, to inquire.
What does 圖 tú mean?
To plan, to consider; map, drawing
齊強魯弱，而大國侵魯，亦已甚矣。今魯城壞，即壓齊境﹗君其圖之: “ If Qi is powerful and Lu is weak, the your great state invading Lu, is too much already.” → last character is sentence serves as emphatic particle as well → kind of like a sigh or emotional way to end the sentence
If Lu’s city walls [market square of the city] were to collapse now, then they will fall on to Qi’s border! My lord, perhaps you should consider it!”
What does 地 mean?
Land, territory, ground.
What does 城 mean?
City, wall, city wall, fortress.
What does 執 mean?
To grasp, to hold.
曹沫執匕首劫齊桓公: Cao Mo held a [or his] dagger and held Duke Huan of Qi captive.
What does 好 mean?
hào (1); hăo (2)
1. To like, to be fond of.*
2. Good, fine, beautiful
What does 弱 mean?
Weak, unassertive; young.
What does 強 mean?
Strong, powerful, overbearing
What does 戰 mean?
To fight; combat; war.
What does 投 tóu mean?
To toss, to throw, to cast aside, to abandon.
What does 敗 bai4 mean?
to be defeated; to defeat:
敗北: to be defeated
What does 既 mean?
Already; after having . . . , since . . . .
- used in the first clause in multiclause sentences;
既已言，曹沫投其匕首，下壇，北面就群臣之位，顏色
不變，辭令如故。After the speech was over, Cao Mo casted aside his dagger and got down from the alter, he faced North and went to the ministers’ place.
His facial expressions had not changed from before the speech/went back to what it was before.
What does 曹 mean?
- Cao. [a surname]*
- [An informal plural suffix, usually added to the second person.]
What does 會 mean?
To meet [with], to assemble; meeting, association
齊桓公許與魯會于柯而盟: Duke Huan of Qi agreed to meet with Lu in Ke to form an alliance/swear an oath.
What does 猶 you2 mean?
Still, persistently.*
2. To be like, to resemble
魯莊公懼，乃獻遂邑之地以和，猶復以為將: Duke Zhuang of Lu was afraid, so he then offered the land of the town of Sui in order to make peace [with them], still again used [Cao Mu] as a general.
What does 甚 shen4 mean?
To a great extent, excessive, too much, extreme.
「齊強魯弱，而大國侵魯，亦已甚矣.” If Qi is powerful and Lu is weak, the your great state invading Lu, is too much already.
What does 約 mean?
Contract, agreement, pact; to agree, to form an agreement
What does 群 mean?
Flock, assembly
- it often serves as a prefix to a noun and
makes the noun plural.
既已言，曹沫投其匕首，下壇，北面就群臣之位，顏色不變，辭令如故。After the speech was over, Cao Mo casted aside his dagger and got down from the alter, he faced North and went to the ministers’ place.
His facial expressions had not changed from before the speech/went back to what it was before.
Duke Huan was resentful, he wanted to renege/go back/[back out of] on his agreement. [the agreement of giving back the land → wants to double back on his agreement/take it back]
What does 莫 mean?
- No one.*
- Don’t . . . . [imperative]
- Technically it functions as an adverb, and it is often
preceded by a defining group of people. For example, in this lesson’s text we have: 左右莫
. . . , “Among the retainers, no one . . . .” Other examples: 公莫伐齊, “Of the dukes, no one
attacked Qi”; 兵莫欲殺之, “Of the soldiers, no one wanted to kill him.”
What does 許 mean?
To assent to, to agree to, to permit
What does 面 mean?
Face, surface; to face.
- Rulers always face south 南面, whereas their retainers and ministers face north 北面
What does 顏 mean?
Face, facial expression:
顏色: Facial expression
What does 首 mean?
Head, neck.
- however, the meaning of the character in lesson 11 is subordinated to the compound
匕首: Dagger
What does 侵 qīn mean?
To invade, to attack, to assault.
於是桓公乃遂割魯侵
地。曹沫三戰所亡地，盡復予魯。Thereupon only then did Duke Huan cut back the occupied territory of Sui [the town] of Lu. That which lost land which Cao Mo had lost three times in battle was again completely restored Lu.
What does 倍 mean?
- Double.
- Renege on; to reject.* to double back on.
桓公怒，欲倍其約: Duke Huan was resentful, he wanted to renege/go back/[back out of] on his agreement. [the agreement of giving back the land → wants to double back on his agreement/take it back]
What does 割 gē mean?
To cut off, to sever, to separate, to exclude.
What does 境 mean?
Border, frontier; realm, sphere.
今魯城壞，即壓齊境! If Lu’s city walls [market square of the city] were to collapse now, then they will fall on to Qi’s border!
What does 壇 tan2 mean?
Altar, elevated platform.
What does 快 mean?
To be happy, to be delighted.
What does 援 yuán mean?
To pull, to aid, to assist; assistance, support
既已言，曹沫投其匕首，下壇，北面就群臣之位，顏色
不變，辭令如故: After the speech was over, Cao Mo casted aside his dagger and got down from the alter, he faced North and went to the ministers’ place.
His facial expressions had not changed from before the speech/went back to what it was before.
What does 莊 zhuāng mean?
- Serious, grave.
- Zhuang. [a surname]
What does 貪 tān mean?
To covet, to be greedy.
不可﹗夫貪小利以
自快，棄信於諸侯，失天下之援。不如與之。Now then… (if you are greedy for small this small profits for your own happiness, this will cause feudal lords to abandon their faith in you, and you will lose the world’s support/support of the world. This is not as good as giving them it [the land]. “
What does 七 mean?
Seven.
其後百六十有七年而吳有專諸之事: One hundred sixty seven years after this, there was the matter of Zhuan Zhu in Wu.
What does 傳 mean?
chuán (1); zhuàn (2)
To pass along, to transmit.*
2. Transmission, tradition, biography
諸樊知季子札賢而不立太
子，以次傳三弟，欲卒致國于季子札: Zhuan Zhu knew Jizi Zha was worthy/talented but did not appoint him to take the throne as Crown Prince, he had passed it along the three brothers in turn [by means or order/in order], He wanted Yimo to in the end present the state Jizi Zha.
What does 兄 mean?
Older brother.
What does 光 mean?
Light, brilliance.
- In L12, this character is the name of a prince of 吳.
What does 內 mean?
Inside, within, inner, private, domestic.
彼光將有內志，未可說以外事。」乃進專諸於公子光: This person Guang is also has is own/private ambitions (aka killing his father), he cannot be persuaded by means of external affairs (attacking Chu).”
What does 吳 mean?
The state of Wu.
What does 堂 mean?
Hall, reception hall.
What does 外 mean?
Outside, public, external, foreign.
Note the expression 外事, “foreign affairs.”
What does 夷 mean?
- East, eastern direction; eastern barbarian tribes.
- To massacre, to level to the ground.
Here, this character is part of a king’s name
What does 季 mean?
- Season; last (third) month of a season.
- Youngest of three brothers (following 伯 [206] and 仲 [113]).
Here, this character is part of a prince’s name.
What does 客 mean?
Guest, retainer, employee.
Note that the expression 善客 is used here adverbially, to indicate the manner in which 光 treated 專諸.
光既得專諸，善客待之: After [Wu Zixu reccommended Zhuan Zhu to prince Guang)Guang got Zhuan Zhu, he treated him as a good retainer/honoured/great retainer.
What does 弟 mean?
Little brother.
What does 彼 mean?
That, those; that person, he, she; those people, they.
This character is sometimes used as a rude reference to others; 彼光將有內
志，未可說以外事。」This person Guang is also has is own/private ambitions (aka killing his father), he cannot be persuaded by means of external affairs (attacking Chu).”
What does 止 mean?
To stop.
What does 真 mean?
True, authentic; truly, really.
What does 祭 mean?
To worship, to offer sacrifices to; festival.
Here, this character is part of a king’s name.
What does 私 mean?
Private, secret, selfish
What does 立 mean?
- To set up, to establish, to appoint, to place on the throne, to take the throne.*
- To stand, to occupy.
- Immediately
「使以兄弟次邪，季子當立。必以子乎，則光真適嗣，當立。」“If it has to be by sons? Then Guang’s (me) is the true/main heir, and should be appointed to the throne.”
What does 肯 mean?
To be willing, to wish.
What does 說 mean?
shuì (1); yuè (2); shuō (3)
1. To persuade.*
2. To take pleasure in, to enjoy; to be happy.
3. Speech, discourse, story
What does 進 mean?
To present, to give [usually to social superior]; to move forward, to approach
乃進專諸於公子光: Then he approached Zhuan Zhu from Prince Guang.
What does 適 mean?
- Legal wife, main wife.*
- To satisfy, to please.
- To happen, to fall in with, to be suitable for; coincidental.
- To go to, to proceed to
What does 邪 mean?
- [Question particle; variant for 耶 (345).]*
- Wicked, perverse
more often in meaning #1, where it is used instead of 耶. In the sentence of our lesson
text, the prince uses 邪 in one clause and then 乎 in the next to refer to two hypothetical
questions he is posing to himself: “Is X true? Then in that case . . . . Is Y true? Then in that
case . . . .”
使以兄弟次邪，季子當立: “If it has to be by sons? Then Guang’s (me) is the true/main heir, and should be appointed to the throne.”
What does 陰 yin1 mean?
Secret, secretly; dark; the “yin” principle.
故嘗陰養謀臣以求立: He deliberately in the past secretly employed [him] to plot against the ministers in order to seek to take the throne.
What does 養 mean?
To look after, to raise, to harbor, to employ [in one’s private service].
- In L12: it refers to bringing retainers into one’s service.
故嘗陰養謀臣以求立: He deliberately in the past secretly employed [him] to plot against the ministers in order to seek to take the throne.
What does 專 mean?
To monopolize; to focus on, to act single-mindedly.
In this lesson’s text, this character is used as a surname. (L12)
What does 胥 mean?
To assist, to aid.
Here the character is part of a personal name.
What does 讎 mean?
Enemy, rival; revenge, vengeance.
Note the expression 報讎, “to get revenge.
彼伍員父兄皆死於楚，而員言伐楚。欲自為報私讎也，非能為
吳。」吳王乃止: This person Wu Yuan’s (Wu Zixu) father and older brother were all killed by Chu, and Yuan talks about attacking Chu. He wants to get selfish revenge for the sake of himself, it is not that he is able for the sake of Wu [to carry out his policies] “
What does 且 mean?
- Moreover, furthermore.*
- About to, will . . . . [future marker]
- Temporarily, for the time being
What does 亂 mean?
luàn
To riot, to be thrown into confusion, to disorder, to misgovern; rebellion.
What does 伏 fú mean?
- To fall prostrate, to humble oneself, to submit to.
- To lie in ambush, to place troops in ambush.*
Note the two radically different groups of meanings—but both of them suggest a person
crouching down or lying flat.
What does 侍 shi4 mean?
To attend upon, to serve
What does 兩 mean?
- Both, pair.*
- An ounce of silver (tael).
Meaning #2, though common, does not occur in our texts.
What does 卿 qing1 mean?
Minister of state.
What does 喪 mean?
To lose; to die; to destroy.
2. To mourn; mourning. (funeral)
What does 室 mean?
House, chamber, room
窟室 Cellar (?), empty room (?)
What does 宮 mean?
Palace, ruler’s dwelling.
What does 封 mean?
To appoint, to grant a fief to; fiefdom.
What does 屬 mean?
- Kind, class, category; to belong to, to be subordinate to, to be governed by.
- To instruct, to direct, to exhort.
Here, the character is part of a name.
What does 平 mean?
Peaceful, calm, level, flat.
What does 廢 mean?
To abandon, to discard.
Here, this character is used in the sense of “to overthrow” or “to depose.”
此時不可失。不求，何
獲﹖且光真王嗣，當立。季子雖來，不吾廢也: “This time [we] it is not permissable to lose. If we don’t seek [it], how can we catch [them]? (this opportunity cannot be wasted, how can we obtain it without striving for it; 2 without seeking how can we gain anyhting) Furthermore, I am the true heir to the King’s heir (rightful heir), then I should be placed on the throne. Although Jizi may come, he will not cast me out/expel me/overthrow me (it is not my overthrowing/it’s not overthrowing me). “
What does 延 mean?
To extend, to stretch; to invite.
Here, this character is part of a place-name.
What does 戶 mean?
Door.
What does 持 mean?
To hold, to grasp.
What does 春 mean?
Spring (the season).
What does 月 mean?
Moon, month.
What does 滅 miè mean?
To destroy, to annihilate, to be destroyed.
What does 發 mean?
To issue, to send forth, to arise, to manifest, to open.
What does 空 mean?
Empty, vacant, futile.
What does 置 mean?
To position, to place.
What does 老 mean?
Old; to grow old.
What does 蓋 mean?
- Canopy, cover (usually for a carriage).
- “No doubt,” “probably.” [particle introducing opinion]
Here, the character is part of a name.
What does 親 mean?
Relatives, intimates.
親戚 usually means “relations,” but the guests here were probably just people close to the king.
What does 觀 mean?
To observe, to watch, to contemplate.
What does 路 mean?
Path, road, route.
What does 門 mean?
Door, gate.
What does 陵 mean?
Mound, ridge, tomb mound.
延陵
Yanling. [a place-name]
Name of the fief of 季子札 (
418a). Sometimes people are referred to by their place of
origin or their fiefdom: “Jizi of Yanling.
What does 陳 chen2 mean?
To deploy, to lay out, to take up positions. This character is often used in a military sense
What does 骨 mean?
Bone
骨鯁 : Hard, unyielding, outspoken (descriptive of subordinates)
What does 刺 ci4 mean?
To stab.
What does 困 mean?
To be in hard straits, to be in difficulty, to cause difficulty.
What does 夾 jiá mean?
To flank, to stand on either side of, to insert.
What does 庸 mean?
- Mediocre, common; hired labor; to work for hire.
- Yong (a mountain range in Fujian).
Here, the character is part of a person’s name.
What does 戚 mean?
Relatives, intimates.
親戚 usually means “relations,” but the guests here were probably just people close to the
king.
What does 潛 mean?
Sunken, hidden, secret; secretly; to sink.
Here, this character is the name for a place in the state of 楚.
What does 腹 mean?
Belly, stomach.
What does 詳 mean?
- To feign, to pretend.*
- Carefully, in detail.
What does 閭 mean?
Neighborhood (technically, of
25 families); village or neighborhood gate.
Here, this character is part of a king’s name; it only occurs in proper names in our texts.
What does 陛 bi4 mean?
Stairs [usually of a palace].
What does 階 mean?
Stairs.
What does 頓 mean?
- To beat on the ground.*
- Suddenly
