hide source

Introduction to Literary Chinese - Lesson 1, Text 2

Adapted from the 1927 book by J. Brandt
Transcribed by 武克富強 (Võ Khắc Phú Cường)
Man's Shadow
。
The new moon had just risen.
。。
A boy was passing under a veranda, and it seemed to him that somebody was following after him.
。
The boy did not dare to look back.
。
Hurriedly he went inside and told his elder sister.
。
[a]
。
His sister said, "It is your body's shadow.
。。
[b]
。
When you are standing before a lamp, or going under the sun, there is a shadow everywhere.
。
How is it that you forget it?"
[c]
。
The boy then understood.

Notes

[a] 汝身之影

Here 之 is a sign of the possessive case: "the shadow of your body".

[b] 皆有影

Here 皆 is used as an equalizing particle which indicates that a quality, a state or an action relates to two or several objects to the same extent.

Similar examples.

  • All men know that.
  • Old and young all are there.
  • All within the four seas are brothers.

[c] 兒乃悟

Here 乃 is used as a consequential particle.

Similar examples.

  • It will then do.
  • Everything then has gone right.