蒹葭苍苍，白露为霜。所谓伊人，在水一方。
溯洄从之，道阻且长。溯游从之，宛在水中央。
蒹葭萋萋，白露未晞。所谓伊人，在水之湄。
溯洄从之，道阻且跻。溯游从之，宛在水中坻。
蒹葭采采，白露未已。所谓伊人，在水之涘。
溯洄从之，道阻且右。溯游从之，宛在水中沚。
现代汉语今译
（河岸）芦苇莽莽苍苍，
（清晨的）秋露结成了霜。
（我）心中的那个人啊，
远在水的另一方。
逆流而上去寻找他，
路途艰难啊又漫长。
顺流而下去寻找他，
他又依稀仿佛在那水中央。
（河岸）芦苇茂密繁盛，
（清晨的）秋露还没晒干。
（我）心中的那个人啊，
远在高高的岸边。
逆水而上去寻找他，
道路艰险啊难以登攀。
顺流而下去寻找他，
他又依稀仿佛在那小岛间。
（河岸）芦苇密密麻麻，
（清晨的）秋露还没有干。
（我）心中的那个人啊，
远在水的那一边。
逆流而上去寻找他，
路上险阻啊又曲折。
顺流而下去寻找他，
他又依稀仿佛在那水中滩。
Thick grow the rush leaves;
Their white dew turns to frost.
He whom I love
Must be somewhere along this stream.
I went up the river to look for him,
But the way was difficult and long.
I went down the stream to look for him,
And there in mid-water
Sure enough, it’s he!
Close grow the rush leaves,
Their white dew not yet dry.
He whom I love
Is at the water’s side.
Up stream I sought him;
But the way was difficult and steep.
Down stream I sought him,
And away in mid-water
There on a ledge, that’s he!
Very fresh are the rush leaves;
The white dew still falls.
He whom I love
Is at the water’s edge.
Up stream I followed him;
But the way was hard and long.
Down stream I followed him,
And away in mid-water
There on the shoals is he!
