Chat attack

The Four Gentlemen of Plants/ "植物四君子"/ (zhíwù sìjūnzǐ)

A: I heard that you like traditional Chinese culture. So can I ask you a question to test you? 

听说你很喜欢中国传统文化,那我出个题考考你吧？

(tīnɡshuō nǐ hěnxǐhuān zhōnɡɡuó chuántǒnɡ wénhuà, nà wǒ chūɡè tí kǎokǎo nǐ bā?)

B: Okay, go ahead. 

好啊,你说说看。

(hǎoā, nǐ shuōshuō kàn.)

A: Do you know "The Four Gentlemen of Plants" in traditional Chinese culture? 

你知道在中国传统文化中有 "植物四君子"这个说法吗？

(nǐ zhīdào zài zhōnɡɡuó chuántǒnɡ wénhuà zhōnɡ yǒu "zhíwù sìjūnzǐ" zhèɡè shuōfǎ ma?)

B: Of course. I also know they are plum blossom, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum. 

当然。我知道这四种植物分别是梅兰竹菊。

(dānɡrán.wǒ zhīdào zhè sìzhǒnɡ zhíwù fēnbié shì méilánzhújú.)

A: You're right. But do you know what these four plants represent?  

你说对了,但你知道这四种植物分别有什么寓意吗？

(nǐ shuō duìle, dàn nǐ zhīdào zhè sìzhǒnɡ zhíwù fēnbié yǒu shénme yùyì ma?)

B: The plum blossom represents uprightness, orchids represent purity and determination, bamboo is humility and perseverance and chrysanthemum is independence.  

梅花象征着高洁,兰花象征着不受外界干扰的定力。竹子象征着谦虚和坚韧,菊花象征着独立的品格。

(méihuā xiànɡzhēnɡ zhe ɡāojié, lánhuā xiànɡzhēnɡ zhe bùshòu wàijiè ɡànrǎo de dìnɡlì.zhúzǐ xiànɡzhēnɡ zhe qiānxū hé jiānrèn, júhuā xiànɡzhēnɡ zhe dúlì de pǐnɡé.)

A: You are right. Such good qualities are celebrated in the Chinese culture.

你说对了。这些优良品质在中国文化中很受欢迎。

(nǐ shuōduì le.zhèxiē yōuliánɡ pǐnzhì zài zhōnɡɡuó wénhuà zhōnɡ hěnshòu huānyínɡ.)

Illustrations:Liu Xidan/GT