蒹葭 Jianjia: Among the Reeds

蒹葭苍苍，白露为霜。 jiān jiā cāng cāng, bái lù wéi shuāng.
The reeds grow thick and green; white dew has turned to frost.

所谓伊人，在水一方。 suǒ wèi yī rén, zài shuǐ yī fāng.
The figure I seek is across the water.

溯洄从之，道阻且长。 sù huí cóng zhī, dào zǔ qiě cháng.
Against the current I follow; the way is difficult and long.

溯游从之，宛在水中央。 sù yóu cóng zhī, wǎn zài shuǐ zhōng yāng.
With the current I follow; the figure seems to be in the middle of the water.

蒹葭萋萋，白露未晞。 jiān jiā qī qī, bái lù wèi xī.
The reeds grow lush and thick; the white dew has not dried.

所谓伊人，在水之湄。 suǒ wèi yī rén, zài shuǐ zhī méi.
The figure I seek is at the water’s edge.

溯洄从之，道阻且跻。 sù huí cóng zhī, dào zǔ qiě jī.
Against the current I follow; the way is difficult and steep.

溯游从之，宛在水中坻。 sù yóu cóng zhī, wǎn zài shuǐ zhōng chí.
With the current I follow; the figure seems to be on an islet in the water.

蒹葭采采，白露未已。 jiān jiā cǎi cǎi, bái lù wèi yǐ.
The reeds grow dense and plentiful; the white dew has not ceased.

所谓伊人，在水之涘。 suǒ wèi yī rén, zài shuǐ zhī sì.
The figure I seek is beside the water.

溯洄从之，道阻且右。 sù huí cóng zhī, dào zǔ qiě yòu.
Against the current I follow; the way is difficult and winding.

溯游从之，宛在水中沚。 sù yóu cóng zhī, wǎn zài shuǐ zhōng zhǐ.
With the current I follow; the figure seems to be on a little island in the water.