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A classical Chinese line for “I love you but you do not know”

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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6 source-verified results
✓ Verified sourceBilingual

山有木兮木有枝，心悦君兮君不知。

Shān yǒu mù xī mù yǒu zhī, xīn yuè jūn xī jūn bù zhī.

Close English reading

The mountain has trees and the trees have branches; my heart delights in you, yet you do not know.

Plain meaningI love you, but you do not know how I feel.

Source
Anonymous· Pre-Qin China · Song of the Yue Boatman
Shuo Yuan (Garden of Stories)
Why it fitsFew classical lines express unspoken affection more clearly: the feeling is real, but remains unknown to the beloved.
Original context and translation note
山有木兮木有枝，心悦君兮君不知。

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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✓ Verified sourceBilingual

两情若是久长时，又岂在朝朝暮暮。

Liǎng qíng ruò shì jiǔ cháng shí, yòu qǐ zài zhāo zhāo mù mù.

Close English reading

If two hearts are meant to last, why must they be together morning and evening?

Plain meaningTrue love can endure distance and time apart.

Source
Qin Guan· Northern Song dynasty · Immortal at the Magpie Bridge
Huaihai Ci
Why it fitsIt argues that lasting affection is not measured only by constant physical presence.
Original context and translation note
金风玉露一相逢，便胜却人间无数。两情若是久长时，又岂在朝朝暮暮。

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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✓ Verified sourceBilingual

只愿君心似我心，定不负相思意。

Zhǐ yuàn jūn xīn sì wǒ xīn, dìng bù fù xiāng sī yì.

Close English reading

I only wish your heart were like mine; then you would not fail this longing.

Plain meaningI hope you feel the same way I do.

Source
Li Zhiyi· Northern Song dynasty · Song of Divination: I Live at the Head of the Yangtze
Guxi Ci
Why it fitsIt turns distance and longing into one vulnerable request for mutual feeling.
Original context and translation note
我住长江头，君住长江尾。日日思君不见君，共饮长江水。只愿君心似我心，定不负相思意。

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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玲珑骰子安红豆，入骨相思知不知。

Líng lóng tóu zǐ ān hóng dòu, rù gǔ xiāng sī zhī bù zhī.

Close English reading

A red bean is set inside the delicate die; do you know this longing has entered my bones?

Plain meaningI miss you so deeply it feels carved into me.

Source
Wen Tingyun· Tang dynasty · Newly Added Song of Willow Branches
Complete Tang Poems
Why it fitsThe red bean is a traditional emblem of longing, while the image of it entering the bones intensifies the feeling.
Original context and translation note
井底点灯深烛伊，共郎长行莫围棋。玲珑骰子安红豆，入骨相思知不知。

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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青青子衿，悠悠我心。

Qīng qīng zǐ jīn, yōu yōu wǒ xīn.

Close English reading

Green, green is your collar; long, long is the yearning in my heart.

Plain meaningYou stay on my mind, and my longing does not fade.

Source
Anonymous· Pre-Qin China · Zi Jin (The Blue Collar)
The Book of Songs
Why it fitsA compact expression of sustained longing for someone who is absent or silent.
Original context and translation note
纵我不往，子宁不嗣音？

The collar identifies the person being longed for; the repeated words make the feeling linger.

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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✓ Verified sourceBilingual

愿得一心人，白头不相离。

Yuàn dé yī xīn rén, bái tóu bù xiāng lí.

Close English reading

May I find one true-hearted person and never part until our hair turns white.

Plain meaningI want a faithful love that lasts for life.

Source
Traditionally attributed to Zhuo Wenjun· Han dynasty · Baitou Yin (Song of White Hair)
New Songs from a Jade Terrace
Why it fitsA direct wish for one faithful partner and a lifetime without separation.
Original context and translation note
皑如山上雪，皎若云间月。闻君有两意，故来相决绝。愿得一心人，白头不相离。

The attribution to Zhuo Wenjun is traditional; the line is presented with the source used by the Chinese corpus.

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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A Classical Chinese Line for “I love you but you do not know” | Gu Ren Said