相思 · Yearning — 王维 (Tang Dynasty)

红豆生南国

hóng dòu shēng nán guó

春来发几枝

chūn lái fā jǐ zhī

愿君多采撷

yuàn jūn duō cǎi xié

此物最相思

cǐ wù zuì xiāng sī

English translation

Red beans grow in the southern land, / how many sprigs bloom in spring? / Gather them plentifully, my friend — / they are the very token of longing.

Red beans (红豆) are the Chinese symbol of longing — this poem is why.

Learn 20 characters from this poem with stroke-order animations, tone drills and quizzes in the free app.