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When Chinese children first start learning classical poetry, one of the very first poems they memorize is 《咏鹅》 (Ode to the Goose). It is short, rhythmic, and full of beautiful imagery. What makes this poem even more interesting is that the poet **Luo Binwang wrote it when he was only seven years old!
Despite its simplicity, the poem vividly describes a goose swimming on the water using only a few Chinese characters. It is a wonderful poem for Chinese learners because the pronunciation is clear and the scene is easy to imagine.
The Poem
《咏鹅》
作者：Luo Binwang
é é é
鹅 鹅 鹅
qū xiàng xiàng tiān gē
曲 项 向 天 歌
bái máo fú lǜ shuǐ
白 毛 浮 绿 水
hóng zhǎng bō qīng bō
红 掌 拨 清 波
English Meaning
Goose, goose, goose,
Stretching its curved neck, it sings toward the sky.
White feathers float on green water,
Its red webbed feet paddle the clear waves.
Why This Poem Is So Popular
There are several reasons why this poem has been loved for more than a thousand years.
1. Simple and musical rhythm
The repetition of “鹅，鹅，鹅” makes the poem sound playful and easy to remember.
2. Beautiful colors
The poem uses simple colors that create a vivid picture:
- white feathers
- green water
- red feet
3. Easy for beginners
The vocabulary is simple, so even beginner Chinese learners can enjoy reading it aloud.
A Small Cultural Note
The poet **Luo Binwang lived during the Tang Dynasty, a golden age of Chinese poetry. Even though this poem is very short, it shows a special feature of Chinese poetry: using very few characters to create a clear and lively picture.
Try Reading It Aloud
Chinese poetry is meant to be read aloud. Try reading the poem slowly and enjoy the rhythm of the language.
Maybe this could become your first Chinese poem to memorize! ?
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