Together, 宋词 (Sòng cí) literally translates to “Song lyrics” or “lyrics of the Song,” directly referencing the dominant poetic art form of that era.
宋词 (Sòng cí) is a titan of Chinese literature, often paired with the poetry of the preceding Tang Dynasty in the common phrase 唐诗宋词 (Táng shī Sòng cí). This phrase signifies the highest achievements of classical Chinese poetry, with each representing the pinnacle of its respective era. The key difference lies in form and feeling. Tang Poetry (唐诗) is often compared to a grand, majestic oil painting. It typically uses regular five or seven-character lines and often tackles broad themes like history, war, epic landscapes, and social duty. Song Ci (宋词), in contrast, is more like an intimate watercolor sketch. Its variable line lengths create a more musical, flowing rhythm, and its content is often deeply personal, focusing on:
Comparison to Western Culture: One can compare the relationship between 唐诗 (Táng shī) and 宋词 (Sòng cí) to that of epic poetry (like Homer's *The Iliad*) and lyrical poetry (like Shakespeare's sonnets or Romantic odes). The former tells grand stories and addresses great events, while the latter delves into the personal emotions and inner world of the author. 宋词's unique feature is its composition based on pre-existing musical templates called 词牌 (cípái), a constraint that, paradoxically, fostered immense creativity. This art form reflects a cultural shift towards valuing individual experience and refined aesthetics, which were hallmarks of the Song Dynasty's sophisticated scholar-official class.
While 宋词 is a classical form and not used in daily conversation, its presence in modern China is pervasive and profound.
Essentially, you don't “speak” in 宋词, but you use the term to refer to this body of literature, and you quote from it to enrich modern language.