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A classical Chinese line for “Autumn is beautiful”

These matches come from a curated corpus of real Chinese poetry and philosophy. The source line is fixed; the English wording is provided to make its meaning accessible.

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The closest lines we found

6 source-verified results
✓ Verified sourceBilingual

停车坐爱枫林晚，霜叶红于二月花。

Tíng chē zuò ài fēng lín wǎn, shuāng yè hóng yú èr yuè huā.

Close English reading

I stop the carriage because I love the evening maple woods; frost-red leaves are brighter than flowers of the second month.

Plain meaningAutumn can be as vivid and beautiful as spring.

Source
Du Mu· Tang dynasty · Mountain Journey
Complete Tang Poems
Why it fitsThe speaker chooses to stop and look, overturning the assumption that spring flowers own all beauty.
Original context and translation note
远上寒山石径斜，白云生处有人家。停车坐爱枫林晚，霜叶红于二月花。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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接天莲叶无穷碧，映日荷花别样红。

Jiē tiān lián yè wú qióng bì, yìng rì hé huā bié yàng hóng.

Close English reading

Lotus leaves reach the sky in endless green; beneath the sun, lotus flowers glow with an unmatched red.

Plain meaningSummer opens into boundless green and radiant color.

Source
Yang Wanli· Southern Song dynasty · Leaving Jingci Temple at Dawn to See Lin Zifang Off
Song poetry
Why it fitsThe scale of the leaves and intensity of the flowers make the scene feel larger than an ordinary summer garden.
Original context and translation note
毕竟西湖六月中，风光不与四时同。接天莲叶无穷碧，映日荷花别样红。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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巧笑倩兮，美目盼兮。

Qiǎo xiào qiàn xī, měi mù pàn xī.

Close English reading

Her charming smile is lovely; her beautiful eyes glance brightly.

Plain meaningYour smile and your eyes are captivating.

Source
Anonymous· Pre-Qin China · Shuo Ren (The Stately Lady)
The Book of Songs
Why it fitsIt praises beauty through expression and presence rather than a flat statement about appearance.
Original context and translation note
手如柔荑，肤如凝脂，领如蝤蛴，齿如瓠犀。巧笑倩兮，美目盼兮。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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遥知不是雪，为有暗香来。

Yáo zhī bù shì xuě, wèi yǒu àn xiāng lái.

Close English reading

From afar I know it is not snow, because a hidden fragrance reaches me.

Plain meaningQuiet beauty reveals itself even in winter.

Source
Wang Anshi· Northern Song dynasty · Plum Blossoms
Collected Works of Wang Anshi
Why it fitsThe flower is recognized not by display but by fragrance, while blooming alone in the cold.
Original context and translation note
墙角数枝梅，凌寒独自开。遥知不是雪，为有暗香来。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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回眸一笑百媚生，六宫粉黛无颜色。

Huí móu yī xiào bǎi mèi shēng, liù gōng fěn dài wú yán sè.

Close English reading

At one backward glance and smile, a hundred charms came alive; the painted beauties of the six palaces lost their color.

Plain meaningHer smile outshines everyone around her.

Source
Bai Juyi· Tang dynasty · Song of Everlasting Sorrow
Complete Tang Poems
Why it fitsThe line praises a single smile by showing every other beauty fade beside it.
Original context and translation note
回眸一笑百媚生，六宫粉黛无颜色。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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云想衣裳花想容，春风拂槛露华浓。

Yún xiǎng yī shang huā xiǎng róng, chūn fēng fú jiàn lù huá nóng.

Close English reading

Clouds would borrow her robes and flowers her face; spring wind brushes the railing, and the dew glows richly.

Plain meaningHer beauty calls to mind clouds, blossoms, spring wind, and luminous dew.

Source
Li Bai· Tang dynasty · Qingping Tune, No. 1
Complete Tang Poems
Why it fitsLi Bai turns praise into a scene of clouds, flowers, spring air, and light.
Original context and translation note
云想衣裳花想容，春风拂槛露华浓。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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Translation note: The English readings are original explanatory translations for this product. They are designed for clarity and source verification, not presented as definitive literary translations.

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Related themes

Seasons & natureClassical Chinese poems about spring rain, summer lotus, autumn skies, winter plum blossoms, mountains, birds, and changing light.BeautyElegant classical Chinese lines for praising a smile, eyes, presence, and unforgettable beauty.

Original Chinese line, pinyin, a readable English explanation, and a traceable source—without inventing an ancient quotation.

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A Classical Chinese Line for “Autumn is beautiful” | Gu Ren Said