老舍与养花
Lao She and his flowers
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Lao She and his flowers
37 new words
养yǎngto raise, to keep, to grow
养花也会遇到意外。
Growing flowers also brings accidents.
除非chúfēionly if, unless
他在乎每一次浇水和修枝；除非愿意认真照看，否则花朵再鲜艳也很难保持很久。
奋斗fèndòuto fight, to struggle, to strive
养花虽不是事业上的奋斗，付出却未必立刻有回报；每天看看叶子、摸摸土，能让人发现自己的心也安定下来。
Growing flowers may not be a career struggle, but effort does not necessarily receive an immediate return; looking at leaves and touching soil each day can settle the heart.
乐趣lèqùjoy, pleasure
花开时，昙花的短暂、菊花的安静，都有自己的乐趣。
在乎zàihuto care, to mind
他在乎每一次浇水和修枝；除非愿意认真照看，否则花朵再鲜艳也很难保持很久。
朵duǒused for flowers and clouds
他在乎每一次浇水和修枝；除非愿意认真照看，否则花朵再鲜艳也很难保持很久。
剪刀jiǎndāoscissors
照料花草有许多细小事情：用剪刀修枝，捡掉落叶，给土浇水，让干燥的土壤慢慢变得潮湿，再等湿度变得合适。
Caring for flowers involves many small tasks: using scissors to prune branches, picking up fallen leaves, watering the soil until dry earth slowly becomes damp, and then waiting for its moisture to reach the right condition.
捡jiǎnto pick up, to collect
照料花草有许多细小事情：用剪刀修枝，捡掉落叶，给土浇水，让干燥的土壤慢慢变得潮湿，再等湿度变得合适。
Caring for flowers involves many small tasks: using scissors to prune branches, picking up fallen leaves, watering the soil until dry earth slowly becomes damp, and then waiting for its moisture to reach the right condition.
装饰zhuāngshìdecoration
在他的眼里，一盆花不是单纯的装饰，而是需要时间和爱心的生命。
结合jiéhéto combine, to integrate
在长期照料中，辛苦和乐趣结合在一起。
Over long-term care, hard work and pleasure combine.
暴雨bàoyǔrainstorm
暴雨来了，屋檐上的瓦片可能砸到花盆，把枝条压断；要是形势忽然紧急，只好劳驾邻居搭把手，一起抢救花盆和枝条，搬进屋里，累得腰都直不起来。
When a storm arrives, a roof tile may fall and smash a pot, snapping the branches; if it turns urgent one has to ask a neighbour for a hand rescuing the pots and branches and moving them inside, until one's back will not straighten.
紧急jǐnjíurgent, emergent
暴雨来了，屋檐上的瓦片可能砸到花盆，把枝条压断；要是形势忽然紧急，只好劳驾邻居搭把手，一起抢救花盆和枝条，搬进屋里，累得腰都直不起来。
When a storm arrives, a roof tile may fall and smash a pot, snapping the branches; if it turns urgent one has to ask a neighbour for a hand rescuing the pots and branches and moving them inside, until one's back will not straighten.
劳驾láojiàto trouble sb. (to do sth.)
暴雨来了，屋檐上的瓦片可能砸到花盆，把枝条压断；要是形势忽然紧急，只好劳驾邻居搭把手，一起抢救花盆和枝条，搬进屋里，累得腰都直不起来。
When a storm arrives, a roof tile may fall and smash a pot, snapping the branches; if it turns urgent one has to ask a neighbour for a hand rescuing the pots and branches and moving them inside, until one's back will not straighten.
抢救qiǎngjiùto rescue, to save
暴雨来了，屋檐上的瓦片可能砸到花盆，把枝条压断；要是形势忽然紧急，只好劳驾邻居搭把手，一起抢救花盆和枝条，搬进屋里，累得腰都直不起来。
When a storm arrives, a roof tile may fall and smash a pot, snapping the branches; if it turns urgent one has to ask a neighbour for a hand rescuing the pots and branches and moving them inside, until one's back will not straighten.
腰yāowaist
暴雨来了，屋檐上的瓦片可能砸到花盆，把枝条压断；要是形势忽然紧急，只好劳驾邻居搭把手，一起抢救花盆和枝条，搬进屋里，累得腰都直不起来。
When a storm arrives, a roof tile may fall and smash a pot, snapping the branches; if it turns urgent one has to ask a neighbour for a hand rescuing the pots and branches and moving them inside, until one's back will not straighten.
直zhícontinuously, straight
暴雨来了，屋檐上的瓦片可能砸到花盆，把枝条压断；要是形势忽然紧急，只好劳驾邻居搭把手，一起抢救花盆和枝条，搬进屋里，累得腰都直不起来。
When a storm arrives, a roof tile may fall and smash a pot, snapping the branches; if it turns urgent one has to ask a neighbour for a hand rescuing the pots and branches and moving them inside, until one's back will not straighten.
不然bùránor else, otherwise
这种劳动不是浪漫的游戏，却让人学会应付变化，不然许多努力会白费。
This work is not a romantic game, but it teaches people to handle change; otherwise much effort is wasted.
回报huíbàoto repay, to requite
养花虽不是事业上的奋斗，付出却未必立刻有回报；每天看看叶子、摸摸土，能让人发现自己的心也安定下来。
Growing flowers may not be a career struggle, but effort does not necessarily receive an immediate return; looking at leaves and touching soil each day can settle the heart.
真理zhēnlǐtruth
老舍写养花，讲的也不是什么高深的真理，而是每天弯下腰去做的那点小事。
What Lao She wrote about growing flowers was no lofty truth either, but the small things one bends down to do each day.
浇jiāoto water, to pour (liquid on sth.)
他在乎每一次浇水和修枝；除非愿意认真照看，否则花朵再鲜艳也很难保持很久。
潮湿cháoshīwet, moist
照料花草有许多细小事情：用剪刀修枝，捡掉落叶，给土浇水，让干燥的土壤慢慢变得潮湿，再等湿度变得合适。
Caring for flowers involves many small tasks: using scissors to prune branches, picking up fallen leaves, watering the soil until dry earth slowly becomes damp, and then waiting for its moisture to reach the right condition.
施肥shīféito apply fertilizer
有时还要施肥、松土，或把花盆搬到能吹到风的地方。
Sometimes one must fertilise, loosen the soil, or move a pot where it can catch the wind.
熟练shúliànskilled, practiced
熟练的人知道每一朵花需要的并不完全相同。
Skilled people know that every flower needs something slightly different.
应付yìngfuto handle, to cope with
这种劳动不是浪漫的游戏，却让人学会应付变化，不然许多努力会白费。
This work is not a romantic game, but it teaches people to handle change; otherwise much effort is wasted.
鲜艳xiānyànbright-colored
他在乎每一次浇水和修枝；除非愿意认真照看，否则花朵再鲜艳也很难保持很久。
自豪zìháoproud
养出一盆好花当然值得自豪，可遇到病叶和枯枝，也不必假装一切都好，更不要抱着“反正已经坏了”的心态；问题既然出现了，就用耐心处理。
Growing a fine plant is certainly something to be proud of, but when leaves sicken and branches dry there is no need to pretend all is well, or to take the attitude that it is already ruined anyway; since the problem has appeared, handle it patiently.
吹chuīto boast, to brag
有时还要施肥、松土，或把花盆搬到能吹到风的地方。
Sometimes one must fertilise, loosen the soil, or move a pot where it can catch the wind.
爱心àixīnlove, compassion
在他的眼里，一盆花不是单纯的装饰，而是需要时间和爱心的生命。
分享fēnxiǎngto share (good things such as joy and rights)
人可以庆祝一朵新花开放，也可以把美景分享给朋友；可花谢之后，不必过分悲伤，因为下一季仍有新的可能。
昙花tánhuābroad-leaved epiphyllum
花开时，昙花的短暂、菊花的安静，都有自己的乐趣。
庆祝qìngzhùto celebrate
人可以庆祝一朵新花开放，也可以把美景分享给朋友；可花谢之后，不必过分悲伤，因为下一季仍有新的可能。
保留bǎoliúto reserve, to save
它要求人观察、等待，也要求人在忙碌中保留温柔。
It asks people to observe and wait, and to keep tenderness amid busyness.
菊花júhuāchrysanthemum
花开时，昙花的短暂、菊花的安静，都有自己的乐趣。
砸záto crush, to smash
暴雨来了，屋檐上的瓦片可能砸到花盆，把枝条压断；要是形势忽然紧急，只好劳驾邻居搭把手，一起抢救花盆和枝条，搬进屋里，累得腰都直不起来。
When a storm arrives, a roof tile may fall and smash a pot, snapping the branches; if it turns urgent one has to ask a neighbour for a hand rescuing the pots and branches and moving them inside, until one's back will not straighten.
悲伤bēishāngsad, sorrowful
人可以庆祝一朵新花开放，也可以把美景分享给朋友；可花谢之后，不必过分悲伤，因为下一季仍有新的可能。
反正fǎnzhènganyway, no matter what
养出一盆好花当然值得自豪，可遇到病叶和枯枝，也不必假装一切都好，更不要抱着“反正已经坏了”的心态；问题既然出现了，就用耐心处理。
Growing a fine plant is certainly something to be proud of, but when leaves sicken and branches dry there is no need to pretend all is well, or to take the attitude that it is already ruined anyway; since the problem has appeared, handle it patiently.
热爱rè'àito love ardently
老舍的文字让读者看见，热爱并不等于只喜欢成功。
Lao She's writing lets readers see that love does not mean liking success alone.
Listen to the text
老舍不只写人和城市，还把照料花草放进日常生活。在他的眼里，一盆花不是单纯的装饰，而是需要时间和爱心的生命。他在乎每一次浇水和修枝；除非愿意认真照看，否则花朵再鲜艳也很难保持很久。
lǎo shě bù zhǐ xiě rén hé chéng shì， hái bǎ zhào liào huā cǎo fàng jìn rì cháng shēng huó。 zài tā de yǎn lǐ， yī pén huā bù shì dān chún de zhuāngshì， ér shì xū yào shí jiān hé àixīn de shēng mìng。 tā zàihu měi yī cì jiāo shuǐ hé xiū zhī； chúfēi yuàn yì rèn zhēn zhào kàn， fǒu zé huā duǒ zài xiānyàn yě hěn nán bǎo chí hěn jiǔ。
Lao She wrote not only about people and cities, but also made caring for plants part of everyday life. In his eyes, a pot of flowers was not mere decoration, but life requiring time and care. He cared about every watering and pruning. Unless someone is willing to look after it seriously, even bright flowers are hard to keep for long.
照料花草有许多细小事情：用剪刀修枝，捡掉落叶，给土浇水，让干燥的土壤慢慢变得潮湿，再等湿度变得合适。有时还要施肥、松土，或把花盆搬到能吹到风的地方。熟练的人知道每一朵花需要的并不完全相同。
zhào liào huā cǎo yǒu xǔ duō xì xiǎo shì qíng： yòng jiǎndāo xiū zhī， jiǎn diào luò yè， gěi tǔ jiāo shuǐ， ràng gàn zào de tǔ rǎng màn màn biàn dé cháoshī， zài děng shī dù biàn dé hé shì。 yǒu shí hái yào shīféi、 sōng tǔ， huò bǎ huā pén bān dào néng chuī dào fēng de dì fāng。 shúliàn de rén zhī dào měi yī duǒ huā xū yào de bìng bù wán quán xiāng tóng。
Caring for flowers involves many small tasks: using scissors to prune branches, picking up fallen leaves, watering the soil until dry earth slowly becomes damp, and then waiting for its moisture to reach the right condition. Sometimes one must fertilise, loosen the soil, or move a pot where it can catch the wind. Skilled people know that every flower needs something slightly different.
养花也会遇到意外。暴雨来了，屋檐上的瓦片可能砸到花盆，把枝条压断；要是形势忽然紧急，只好劳驾邻居搭把手，一起抢救花盆和枝条，搬进屋里，累得腰都直不起来。这种劳动不是浪漫的游戏，却让人学会应付变化，不然许多努力会白费。
yǎng huā yě huì yù dào yì wài。 bàoyǔ lái le， wū yán shàng de wǎ piàn kě néng zá dào huā pén， bǎ zhī tiáo yā duàn； yào shì xíng shì hū rán jǐnjí， zhǐ hǎo láojià lín jū dā bǎ shǒu， yī qǐ qiǎngjiù huā pén hé zhī tiáo， bān jìn wū lǐ， lèi dé yāo dōu zhí bù qǐ lái。 zhè zhǒng láo dòng bù shì làng màn de yóu xì， què ràng rén xué huì yìngfu biàn huà， bùrán xǔ duō nǔ lì huì bái fèi。
Growing flowers also brings accidents. When a storm arrives, a roof tile may fall and smash a pot, snapping the branches; if it turns urgent one has to ask a neighbour for a hand rescuing the pots and branches and moving them inside, until one's back will not straighten. This work is not a romantic game, but it teaches people to handle change; otherwise much effort is wasted.
花开时，昙花的短暂、菊花的安静，都有自己的乐趣。人可以庆祝一朵新花开放，也可以把美景分享给朋友；可花谢之后，不必过分悲伤，因为下一季仍有新的可能。
huā kāi shí， tánhuā de duǎn zàn、 júhuā de ān jìng， dōu yǒu zì jǐ de lèqù。 rén kě yǐ qìngzhù yī duǒ xīn huā kāi fàng， yě kě yǐ bǎ měi jǐng fēnxiǎng gěi péng yǒu； kě huā xiè zhī hòu， bù bì guò fēn bēishāng， yīn wèi xià yī jì réng yǒu xīn de kě néng。
When flowers bloom, the short life of an epiphyllum and the quietness of chrysanthemums each have their own pleasure. Someone can celebrate a new bloom and share its beauty with friends. After flowers fade, there is no need for excessive sadness, because another season can bring new possibilities.
在长期照料中，辛苦和乐趣结合在一起。养花虽不是事业上的奋斗，付出却未必立刻有回报；每天看看叶子、摸摸土，能让人发现自己的心也安定下来。花草还会让人懂得季节的节奏与等待的意义。这样的回报不在价格。老舍写养花，讲的也不是什么高深的真理，而是每天弯下腰去做的那点小事。
zài zhǎng qī zhào liào zhōng， xīn kǔ hé lèqù jiéhé zài yī qǐ。 yǎng huā suī bù shì shì yè shàng de fèndòu， fù chū què wèi bì lì kè yǒu huíbào； měi tiān kàn kàn yè zi、 mō mō tǔ， néng ràng rén fā xiàn zì jǐ de xīn yě ān dìng xià lái。 huā cǎo hái huì ràng rén dǒng dé jì jié de jié zòu yǔ děng dài de yì yì。 zhè yàng de huíbào bù zài jià gé。 lǎo shě xiě yǎng huā， jiǎng de yě bù shì shén me gāo shēn de zhēnlǐ， ér shì měi tiān wān xià yāo qù zuò de nà diǎn xiǎo shì。
Over long-term care, hard work and pleasure combine. Growing flowers may not be a career struggle, but effort does not necessarily receive an immediate return; looking at leaves and touching soil each day can settle the heart. Plants also teach the rhythm of seasons and the meaning of waiting. The reward is not a price. What Lao She wrote about growing flowers was no lofty truth either, but the small things one bends down to do each day.
老舍的文字让读者看见，热爱并不等于只喜欢成功。养出一盆好花当然值得自豪，可遇到病叶和枯枝，也不必假装一切都好，更不要抱着“反正已经坏了”的心态；问题既然出现了，就用耐心处理。愿意承担照顾的责任，才会真正懂得“养”这个字。
lǎo shě de wén zì ràng dú zhě kàn jiàn， rè'ài bìng bù děng yú zhǐ xǐ huān chéng gōng。 yǎng chū yī pén hǎo huā dāng rán zhí dé zìháo， kě yù dào bìng yè hé kū zhī， yě bù bì jiǎ zhuāng yī qiè dōu hǎo， gèng bù yào bào zhe“ fǎnzhèng yǐ jīng huài le” de xīn tài； wèn tí jì rán chū xiàn le， jiù yòng nài xīn chù lǐ。 yuàn yì chéng dān zhào gù de zé rèn， cái huì zhēn zhèng dǒng dé“ yǎng” zhè gè zì。
Lao She's writing lets readers see that love does not mean liking success alone. Growing a fine plant is certainly something to be proud of, but when leaves sicken and branches dry there is no need to pretend all is well, or to take the attitude that it is already ruined anyway; since the problem has appeared, handle it patiently. Willingness to accept the responsibility of care is what truly explains the word 'nurture'.
因此，养花并非逃开现实，而是一种面对现实的练习。它要求人观察、等待，也要求人在忙碌中保留温柔。花给人的不是命令，而是提醒：把小事做好，生活就会有更长久的光彩。
yīn cǐ， yǎng huā bìng fēi táo kāi xiàn shí， ér shì yī zhǒng miàn duì xiàn shí de liàn xí。 tā yào qiú rén guān chá、 děng dài， yě yào qiú rén zài máng lù zhōng bǎoliú wēn róu。 huā gěi rén de bù shì mìng lìng， ér shì tí xǐng： bǎ xiǎo shì zuò hǎo， shēng huó jiù huì yǒu gèng zhǎng jiǔ de guāng cǎi。
Therefore, growing flowers is not escaping reality, but practising how to face it. It asks people to observe and wait, and to keep tenderness amid busyness. Flowers give no orders, but offer a reminder: do small things well, and life gains a more lasting brightness.
Tap a marked word for its meaning. Tap a line to see the English.
Grammar
他在乎每一次浇水和修枝；除非愿意认真照看，否则花朵再鲜艳也很难保持很久。
除非A +否则B
除非. Conjunction. Only if, unless. Usually indicates the only condition. Often used with '否则', '不然'.
可除非是那些好种易活、自己会奋斗的花草，否则他是不养的。
Kě chúfēi shì nàxiē hǎozhòng yìhuó, zìjǐ huì fèndòu de huācǎo, fǒuzé tā shì bù yǎng de.
But unless they are flowers and plants that are easy to grow and can struggle on their own, he will not grow them.
暴雨来了，屋檐上的瓦片可能砸到花盆，把枝条压断；要是形势忽然紧急，只好劳驾邻居搭把手，一起抢救花盆和枝条，搬进屋里，累得腰都直不起来。When a storm arrives, a roof tile may fall and smash a pot, snapping the branches; if it turns urgent one has to ask a neighbour for a hand rescuing the pots and branches and moving them inside, until one's back will not straighten.
直+ Verb
直. Adverb. Continuously, straight.
累得腰酸腿疼，热汗直流。
Lèi de yāosuān tuǐténg, rèhàn zhíliú.
So tired that his waist aches and legs hurt, and hot sweat flows straight down.
养出一盆好花当然值得自豪，可遇到病叶和枯枝，也不必假装一切都好，更不要抱着“反正已经坏了”的心态；问题既然出现了，就用耐心处理。Growing a fine plant is certainly something to be proud of, but when leaves sicken and branches dry there is no need to pretend all is well, or to take the attitude that it is already ruined anyway; since the problem has appeared, handle it patiently.
反正+ Statement
反正. Adverb. Anyway, no matter what. Indicates the same result despite different circumstances.
反正我要感谢它们。
Fǎnzhèng wǒ yào gǎnxiè tāmen.
Anyway, I want to thank them.
Which word means “joy, pleasure”?
Culture
老舍 - Lao She
Lao She often wrote about ordinary people and daily life in Beijing. His language is natural and vivid, with humor and observations of social change. Readers can sense a city's character through people and small events. This style can still move people today.
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斗 from 奋斗 · to fight, to struggle, to strive
Practice
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