r/translator•
-jack

[Chinese -> English] A note from a sweetheart.

The note

This girl I've been seeing sent me a note. I would be very grateful if anyone could translate it for me, please. I've tried text recognition apps, but they don't seem to work on handwriting.

Posted Mar 1, 2016, 8:54 AM UTC

34
potatosoupofpowerMandarin, Japanese (N2)•

It's a line from this classical poem: "That I could become the southwest wind and pass into your arms forever".

Edit: I couldn't find a complete translation of the full poem so I tried my hand at it myself! My translation is pretty awkward but I tried to get the emotion across :)

明月照高楼,流光正徘徊。上有愁思妇,悲叹有余哀。
借问叹者谁,言是客子妻。君行逾十年,孤妾常独栖。
君若清路尘,妾若浊水泥;浮沉各异势,会合何时谐。
愿为西南风,长逝入君怀。君怀良不开,贱妾当何依。

The moon shone on a tall building as the dazzling light lingered. Within, a troubled woman sighed in overflowing sorrow. /
Asked who the sighing one was, the answer came: the wife of a traveller. You have been away for ten years and I am often left in solitude. /
You are like the dust of a clean road, I am like the mud of turbid waters; floating and sinking in our respective states, when shall we meet in harmony? /
That I could become the southwest wind and pass into your arms forever! Should your arms not open, where should this lowly self rest?

3
-jackOP•

The whole poem is seriously touching. I thank You kindly, Sir/Madam, you went above and beyond my request.

2
potatosoupofpowerMandarin, Japanese (N2)•

It's no problem! Love notes are my favourite thing to translate here on r/translator :)

2
-jackOP•

You have this young mans gratitude :)

2