This is a translation and annotation of the poem 山中問答 (Shānzhōng Wèndá) by the Chinese Tang dynasty poet 李白 (Lǐ Bái).

As always, this is only my beginner’s attempt at an annotation. If you could improve it or have any suggestions, please share your thoughts in the comments at the end of the page.

山中問答 Shānzhōng Wèndá [mountain] [in] [question] [answer] Questions and Answers in the Mountains

問余何意棲碧山， Wèn yú hé yì qī bì shān, [ask] [me] [what] [meaning] [live] [blue jade] [mountain] You ask me why I live in the blue-green mountains;

笑而不答心自閒。 Xiào ér bù dá xīn zì xián. [smile] [and] [not] [answer] [heart] [self] [leisure] I smile and do not answer, my heart at leisure.

桃花流水窅然去， Táohuā liúshuǐ yǎo rán qù, [peach] [blossom] [flow] [water] [remote] [-ly] [go] Peach blossom on flowing water goes distantly;

別有天地非人間。 Biéyǒu tiāndì fēi rénjiān. [separate] [have] [heaven] [earth] [not] [person] [space] this is not heaven or earth, nor the place of people.

Please share your suggestions in the comments at the end of the page.

Further reading