Keywords: jueju, 绝句, what is a jueju, Chinese quatrain, classical Chinese poetry, Tang Dynasty poems, five-character jueju, seven-character jueju, Li Bai poem, Wang Wei poem, Chinese literature.
Summary: A 绝句 (juéjù) is a major form of classical Chinese poetry, specifically a quatrain, consisting of four lines. Perfected during the Tang Dynasty, this poetic form is celebrated for its brevity, strict tonal patterns, and its ability to convey profound emotion and vivid imagery within a very limited space. Famous poets like Li Bai and Wang Wei are masters of the 绝句, which remains a cornerstone of Chinese literary education.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): juéjù
Part of Speech: Noun
HSK Level: N/A
Concise Definition: A classical Chinese poem composed of four lines, typically with five or seven characters per line, following a strict tonal pattern.
In a Nutshell: Think of a 绝句 (juéjù) as a “poetic snapshot.” It's a short, four-line poem that captures a single, powerful moment, feeling, or scene. The magic of the `绝句` is its ability to be both simple and incredibly deep. With just 20 or 28 characters, it can paint a picture of a quiet night, express the sorrow of parting, or celebrate the beauty of nature. It's a highly refined art form where every single character counts.
Character Breakdown
绝 (jué): This character can mean “to cut off,” “absolute,” or “peerless.” In the context of `绝句`, it refers to the poem's “cut short” and concise nature. It implies a complete thought that is perfectly contained and abruptly finished, leaving the reader to ponder its meaning.
句 (jù): This character means “sentence” or “line (of verse).”
Together, 绝句 (juéjù) literally translates to “cut-off lines” or “terminated sentences.” This name perfectly describes the poem's structure: a brief, self-contained piece of four lines that stands alone as a complete work of art.
Cultural Context and Significance
The Pinnacle of Tang Poetry: The `绝句` reached its zenith during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), often considered the golden age of Chinese poetry. It was a required skill for any aspiring scholar or official, and masters of the form like Li Bai (李白), Du Fu (杜甫), and Wang Wei (王维) are revered as some of the greatest literary figures in Chinese history.
Comparison to Western Forms: A `绝句` can be compared to a Western haiku or sonnet to understand its cultural role.
Like a haiku, it is incredibly brief and often focuses on capturing a specific moment or natural image. However, a `绝句` is typically more personal and emotionally expressive.
Like a sonnet, it follows very strict rules regarding structure and rhyme. But instead of meter, the `绝句`'s core rule is its tonal pattern (平仄, píngzè), where characters are organized based on their tones to create a musical rhythm.
The Value of Brevity: The `绝句` embodies the aesthetic value of “saying more with less.” The empty space around the few words is as important as the words themselves, inviting the reader to fill in the gaps with their own imagination and emotion. This reflects a broader cultural appreciation for subtlety and profound meaning hidden beneath a simple surface.
Practical Usage in Modern China
Literary Education: The `绝句` is not a term used in daily conversation. Its primary modern context is in education. From a very young age, Chinese students are required to memorize, recite, and analyze famous `绝句`. It's a fundamental part of cultural and literary literacy.
Art and Calligraphy: Famous `绝句` are extremely popular subjects for calligraphy and traditional Chinese painting. The poem is often brushed onto a landscape painting that depicts its theme, creating a harmony between visual and literary art.
Quotations and Allusions: Educated speakers, writers, and even politicians might quote a line from a famous `绝句` to add weight, elegance, or historical resonance to their point. It's a way of tapping into a shared cultural heritage.
Example Sentences
Example 1: (Using the word `绝句`)
唐代是绝句创作的黄金时代。
Pinyin: Táng dài shì juéjù chuàngzuò de huángjīn shídài.
English: The Tang Dynasty was the golden age for the creation of jueju.
Analysis: This sentence provides historical context, stating a fact about the `绝句` form. It's a typical sentence you might find in a textbook.
Example 2: (A famous five-character `绝句`)
《静夜思》 李白
床前明月光，疑是地上霜。举头望明月，低头思故乡。
Pinyin: Chuáng qián míng yuè guāng, yí shì dì shàng shuāng. Jǔ tóu wàng míng yuè, dī tóu sī gùxiāng.
English: (By Li Bai) Moonlight before my bed, I suspect it is frost on the ground. I raise my head to gaze at the bright moon, then lower my head and think of my hometown.
Analysis: This is arguably the most famous `绝句` in China. It's a perfect example of the form's power: four simple lines create a powerful scene of quiet loneliness and deep nostalgia. This is a 五言绝句 (wǔyán juéjù), or five-character quatrain.
English: (By Wang Zhihuan) The white sun sets behind the mountains, the Yellow River flows into the sea. To see a thousand miles further, one must climb another storey higher.
Analysis: This `绝句` starts with a vast natural scene and ends with a profound philosophical statement about ambition and perspective. The last two lines have become a famous proverb in Chinese.
English: (By Li Bai) At dawn I left Baidi Town, among its colored clouds; a thousand miles to Jiangling, I returned in a single day. The cries of monkeys on both banks were still echoing, as my swift boat passed ten thousand mountains.
Analysis: This is a famous 七言绝句 (qīyán juéjù). It perfectly captures a sense of speed, freedom, and exhilaration. The rhythm of the seven-character lines makes it feel swift and flowing, just like the boat on the river.
Example 6: (Using the word `绝句`)
老师让我们背诵这首绝句。
Pinyin: Lǎoshī ràng wǒmen bèisòng zhè shǒu juéjù.
English: The teacher had us memorize this jueju.
Analysis: A common classroom scenario in China, highlighting the role of `绝句` in education.
English: (By Meng Haoran) In spring slumber, I don't notice the dawn, everywhere I hear the chirping of birds. Last night came the sound of wind and rain; I wonder how many blossoms have fallen.
Analysis: This poem captures the delicate, slightly melancholy feeling of a spring morning after a storm. It moves from sound (birds) to a silent question (fallen flowers), creating a rich sensory experience.
English: (By Liu Zongyuan) A thousand mountains, no bird's flight. Ten thousand paths, no human trace. A lone boat, an old man in a straw coat, fishing alone in the cold river snow.
Analysis: A masterpiece of imagery and atmosphere. The poem paints a stark, minimalist, and lonely picture. The character 绝 (jué) from `绝句` even appears in the first line.
Example 9: (Using the word `绝句`)
他的书法作品上写了一首王维的绝句。
Pinyin: Tā de shūfǎ zuòpǐn shàng xiěle yī shǒu Wáng Wéi de juéjù.
English: A jueju by Wang Wei is written on his calligraphy work.
Analysis: This shows the connection between `绝句` and other traditional art forms like calligraphy.
English: (By Wang Wei) Morning rain in Weicheng dampens the light dust, the willows by the inn are fresh and green. I urge you to drink one more cup of wine, for west of Yang Pass, there are no old friends.
Analysis: This is a classic poem of farewell. The first two lines set a beautiful, fresh scene, which contrasts sharply with the deep sadness of parting in the final two lines. It captures the universal feeling of saying goodbye to a dear friend.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
`绝句` vs. `律诗` (lǜshī): This is the most common point of confusion. Both are Tang Dynasty poetic forms with strict tonal rules. The difference is length:
绝句 (juéjù): Always 4 lines.
律诗 (lǜshī): Always 8 lines.
Think of a `绝句` as the “short form” and a `律诗` as the “long form” of regulated verse.
Not Just Any Four-Line Poem: A beginner might assume any short, four-line Chinese poem is a `绝句`. However, a true `绝句` must adhere to a strict pattern of tones (平仄, píngzè) and a specific rhyme scheme. Older four-line poems that don't follow these rules are called `古体诗` (gǔtǐshī), or “old-style poetry.” You don't need to master these rules to appreciate the poems, but it's good to know they exist.
Related Terms and Concepts
律诗 (lǜshī) - “Regulated verse,” an eight-line classical poem that is the “big brother” of the `绝句`.
唐诗 (Tángshī) - “Tang poetry,” the broader category of poetry from the Tang Dynasty, where `绝句` flourished.
五言绝句 (wǔyán juéjù) - A `绝句` with five characters per line.
七言绝句 (qīyán juéjù) - A `绝句` with seven characters per line.