Source-verified collection

Chinese Poems and Quotes About Love

These lines express love without inventing a modern quotation. Each result keeps the original Chinese, pinyin, an English reading, and a traceable source.

I love you I cannot stop thinking about her a poetic way to confess love

Original lines

Read the Chinese, meaning, and source together

11 curated lines

✓ 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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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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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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死生契阔，与子成说。执子之手，与子偕老。

Sǐ shēng qì kuò, yǔ zǐ chéng shuō. Zhí zǐ zhī shǒu, yǔ zǐ xié lǎo.

Close English reading

Through life and death, union and separation, I made this pledge with you: holding your hand, I will grow old with you.

Plain meaningI promise to stand with you through life and grow old together.

Source

Anonymous· Pre-Qin China · Ji Gu (Drums)

The Book of Songs

Why it fitsIts language of pledge, hand-holding, and growing old together makes it a powerful expression of enduring commitment.

Original context and translation note

死生契阔，与子成说。执子之手，与子偕老。

The poem's original setting is separation in military service, which gives the promise a more difficult context than a simple wedding slogan.

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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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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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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相濡以沫，不如相忘于江湖。

Xiāng rú yǐ mò, bù rú xiāng wàng yú jiāng hú.

Close English reading

Rather than moistening each other with foam, it is better to forget each other in the rivers and lakes.

Plain meaningSometimes the kinder choice is to let each other go and live freely.

Source

Zhuangzi· Warring States period · The Great and Venerable Teacher

Zhuangzi

Why it fitsIt contrasts mutual struggle in a depleted place with freedom in a larger world.

Original context and translation note

泉涸，鱼相与处于陆，相呴以湿，相濡以沫，不如相忘于江湖。

The full passage describes fish stranded when a spring dries up. The line is about freedom from a desperate condition, not casual indifference.

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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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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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: These English readings are original explanations prepared for Gu Ren Said. The Chinese original and source are the authoritative objects being verified; literary translations can reasonably differ.

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Missing someoneClassical Chinese lines for longing, absence, and someone who remains on your mind.BeautyElegant classical Chinese lines for praising a smile, eyes, presence, and unforgettable beauty.FriendshipVerified classical Chinese lines about true friends, distance, understanding, and harmony without conformity.HomesicknessClassical Chinese poetry about missing home, family, and familiar places while living far away.