子路背米
Zilu Carrying Rice
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A story of filial piety from the Spring and Autumn Period.
41 new words
背bēito carry on the back
父母需要食物时，结实的粮袋压着他的后背，他仍把粮食背回家去。
When they needed food, he carried a sturdy sack of grain on his back and walked it home.
从前cóngqiánbefore, in the past
物质生活比从前好得多，可每逢家人团圆的日子，他总觉得心里少了什么。
时期shíqīperiod, stage
子路生活的时期，诸侯相争，战争频繁，家里像普通农民一样清贫。
Zilu lived in an era when rival states were often at war, and his family was poor like many farming families.
流传liúchuánto spread, to hand down
这个故事流传很久，至今仍被提起，是因为他始终把孝敬自己的父母看得很重。
The story has been passed down to this day because he always placed great importance on caring for his parents.
至今zhìjīnup to now
这个故事流传很久，至今仍被提起，是因为他始终把孝敬自己的父母看得很重。
The story has been passed down to this day because he always placed great importance on caring for his parents.
孝敬xiàojìngto show filial respect for
这个故事流传很久，至今仍被提起，是因为他始终把孝敬自己的父母看得很重。
The story has been passed down to this day because he always placed great importance on caring for his parents.
农民nóngmínfarmer, peasant
子路生活的时期，诸侯相争，战争频繁，家里像普通农民一样清贫。
Zilu lived in an era when rival states were often at war, and his family was poor like many farming families.
战争zhànzhēngwar
子路生活的时期，诸侯相争，战争频繁，家里像普通农民一样清贫。
Zilu lived in an era when rival states were often at war, and his family was poor like many farming families.
满足mǎnzúto be satisfied
他从不因生活艰难而委屈，也不把一点收获当成满足。
惭愧cánkuìashamed
有位朋友问他，做官不是很大的成就吗，为什么还常常惭愧？
A friend asked why he still felt ashamed when being an official was such an achievement.
决心juéxīndetermination; to make up one's mind
有人打听他为什么这样辛苦，他很诚恳，随后回答：只要父母吃得安心，我的决心就不会改变。
委屈wěiquto do (sb.) wrong; feeling wronged
他从不因生活艰难而委屈，也不把一点收获当成满足。
打听dǎtingto inquire about
有人打听他为什么这样辛苦，他很诚恳，随后回答：只要父母吃得安心，我的决心就不会改变。
主人zhǔrénmaster, owner
子路勤奋又老实，常替镇上的主人家做工，所得的工钱并不多。
结实jiēshistrong, sturdy
父母需要食物时，结实的粮袋压着他的后背，他仍把粮食背回家去。
When they needed food, he carried a sturdy sack of grain on his back and walked it home.
勤奋qínfèndiligent
子路勤奋又老实，常替镇上的主人家做工，所得的工钱并不多。
银yínsilver
有一次，山路又滑又陡，月光把石阶照得像铺了一层银；他顶着风背米，想把滑下来的袋子甩回肩上，脚下一滑，袋子差点滑进沟里。
老实lǎoshihonest, frank
子路勤奋又老实，常替镇上的主人家做工，所得的工钱并不多。
镇zhèntown
子路勤奋又老实，常替镇上的主人家做工，所得的工钱并不多。
后背hòubèiback (of the human body)
父母需要食物时，结实的粮袋压着他的后背，他仍把粮食背回家去。
When they needed food, he carried a sturdy sack of grain on his back and walked it home.
滑huáslippery; to slip, to slide
有一次，山路又滑又陡，月光把石阶照得像铺了一层银；他顶着风背米，想把滑下来的袋子甩回肩上，脚下一滑，袋子差点滑进沟里。
甩shuǎito throw off, to swing
有一次，山路又滑又陡，月光把石阶照得像铺了一层银；他顶着风背米，想把滑下来的袋子甩回肩上，脚下一滑，袋子差点滑进沟里。
顶dǐngto go against; to support
有一次，山路又滑又陡，月光把石阶照得像铺了一层银；他顶着风背米，想把滑下来的袋子甩回肩上，脚下一滑，袋子差点滑进沟里。
扶fúto support with one's hand
路人扶住他，劝他别再走了：这样累得不行，何必逞强？
不行bùxíng(indicating degree, intensity) terribly
路人扶住他，劝他别再走了：这样累得不行，何必逞强？
团圆tuányuánto be reunited
物质生活比从前好得多，可每逢家人团圆的日子，他总觉得心里少了什么。
去世qùshìto die, to pass away
后来，家中双亲已经去世，子路离开家乡，到国君身边做官。
国王guówángking
不论是国君，还是别国的国王，官位占多大分量都不是重点；这个故事提醒人们：孝顺不是等富裕以后才开始的美德。
本领běnlǐngability, capability
他凭本领和努力得到重用，也成了大家称赞的人才。
人才réncáitalented person
他凭本领和努力得到重用，也成了大家称赞的人才。
官guāngovernment official
后来，家中双亲已经去世，子路离开家乡，到国君身边做官。
物质wùzhìmaterial
物质生活比从前好得多，可每逢家人团圆的日子，他总觉得心里少了什么。
反倒fǎndàoon the contrary, instead
有人把照顾亲人当作负担，子路却把它当成最自然的责任；这份回忆反倒让他心里更添惆怅。
诚恳chéngkěnsincere, earnest
有人打听他为什么这样辛苦，他很诚恳，随后回答：只要父母吃得安心，我的决心就不会改变。
成就chéngjiùachievement, accomplishment
有位朋友问他，做官不是很大的成就吗，为什么还常常惭愧？
A friend asked why he still felt ashamed when being an official was such an achievement.
古代gǔdàiancient times
因此，人们今天讲起这个古代故事，记住的不只是一个人背粮的本领。
For that reason, when people tell this ancient story today, they remember more than Zilu’s ability to carry a load.
孝顺xiàoshùnto show filial piety; obedient
子路回答，自己年轻时能亲手背米孝顺家人，如今有再多东西，也不能回到那段日子。
Zilu replied that when he was young he could carry rice for his parents himself; no amount of later wealth could return him to that time.
美德měidévirtue, goodness
不论是国君，还是别国的国王，官位占多大分量都不是重点；这个故事提醒人们：孝顺不是等富裕以后才开始的美德。
占zhànto occupy, to take, to hold up
不论是国君，还是别国的国王，官位占多大分量都不是重点；这个故事提醒人们：孝顺不是等富裕以后才开始的美德。
食物shíwùfood
父母需要食物时，结实的粮袋压着他的后背，他仍把粮食背回家去。
When they needed food, he carried a sturdy sack of grain on his back and walked it home.
银（子）yín(zi)silver
Listen to the text
子路生活的时期，诸侯相争，战争频繁，家里像普通农民一样清贫。这个故事流传很久，至今仍被提起，是因为他始终把孝敬自己的父母看得很重。父母需要食物时，结实的粮袋压着他的后背，他仍把粮食背回家去。
zi lù shēng huó de shíqī， zhū hóu xiāng zhēng， zhànzhēng pín fán， jiā lǐ xiàng pǔ tōng nóngmín yī yàng qīng pín。 zhè gè gù shì liúchuán hěn jiǔ， zhìjīn réng bèi tí qǐ， shì yīn wèi tā shǐ zhōng bǎ xiàojìng zì jǐ de fù mǔ kàn dé hěn zhòng。 fù mǔ xū yào shíwù shí， jiēshi de liáng dài yā zhe tā de hòubèi， tā réng bǎ liáng shí bēi huí jiā qù。
Zilu lived in an era when rival states were often at war, and his family was poor like many farming families. The story has been passed down to this day because he always placed great importance on caring for his parents. When they needed food, he carried a sturdy sack of grain on his back and walked it home.
子路勤奋又老实，常替镇上的主人家做工，所得的工钱并不多。他从不因生活艰难而委屈，也不把一点收获当成满足。有人打听他为什么这样辛苦，他很诚恳，随后回答：只要父母吃得安心，我的决心就不会改变。
zi lù qínfèn yòu lǎoshi， cháng tì zhèn shàng de zhǔrén jiā zuò gōng， suǒ dé de gōng qián bìng bù duō。 tā cóng bù yīn shēng huó jiān nán ér wěiqu， yě bù bǎ yī diǎn shōu huò dāng chéng mǎnzú。 yǒu rén dǎting tā wèi shén me zhè yàng xīn kǔ， tā hěn chéngkěn， suí hòu huí dá： zhǐ yào fù mǔ chī dé ān xīn， wǒ de juéxīn jiù bù huì gǎi biàn。
Zilu was diligent and honest. He often worked for the householders in the town, though he earned little in wages; people then did not use the silver coins often mentioned in later times. He did not complain about hardship or regard a small gain as enough. When people asked why he worked so hard, he said sincerely that his resolve would not change as long as his parents could eat in peace.
有一次，山路又滑又陡，月光把石阶照得像铺了一层银；他顶着风背米，想把滑下来的袋子甩回肩上，脚下一滑，袋子差点滑进沟里。路人扶住他，劝他别再走了：这样累得不行，何必逞强？子路擦去泥水，说父母在家等食物，自己更不能停下。
yǒu yī cì， shān lù yòu huá yòu dǒu， yuè guāng bǎ shí jiē zhào dé xiàng pù le yī céng yín； tā dǐng zhe fēng bēi mǐ， xiǎng bǎ huá xià lái de dài zi shuǎi huí jiān shàng， jiǎo xià yī huá， dài zi chà diǎn huá jìn gōu lǐ。 lù rén fú zhù tā， quàn tā bié zài zǒu le： zhè yàng lèi dé bùxíng， hé bì chěng qiáng？ zi lù cā qù ní shuǐ， shuō fù mǔ zài jiā děng shíwù， zì jǐ gèng bù néng tíng xià。
Once a mountain path was slippery and steep. Carrying rice into the wind, he tried to swing the slipping sack back onto his shoulder, but lost his footing and it nearly slid into a ditch. A passer-by supported him and urged him to stop: why exhaust yourself like this? Zilu wiped away the mud and said that his parents were waiting at home for food, so he could not stop.
后来，家中双亲已经去世，子路离开家乡，到国君身边做官。他凭本领和努力得到重用，也成了大家称赞的人才。物质生活比从前好得多，可每逢家人团圆的日子，他总觉得心里少了什么。
hòu lái， jiā zhōng shuāng qīn yǐ jīng qùshì， zi lù lí kāi jiā xiāng， dào guó jūn shēn biān zuò guān。 tā píng běnlǐng hé nǔ lì dé dào zhòng yòng， yě chéng le dà jiā chēng zàn de réncái。 wùzhì shēng huó bǐ cóngqián hǎo dé duō， kě měi féng jiā rén tuányuán de rì zi， tā zǒng jué dé xīn lǐ shǎo le shén me。
Later, after his parents died, Zilu left home and became an official serving a ruler. Such a ruler was called a guojun, not the king of later stories. His ability and effort won him recognition, and people called him a talent. His material life became much better, yet on family reunion days he always felt that something was missing.
有位朋友问他，做官不是很大的成就吗，为什么还常常惭愧？子路回答，自己年轻时能亲手背米孝顺家人，如今有再多东西，也不能回到那段日子。他并非否定后来的成就，只是明白机会不会永远存在。
yǒu wèi péng yǒu wèn tā， zuò guān bù shì hěn dà de chéngjiù ma， wèi shén me hái cháng cháng cánkuì？ zi lù huí dá， zì jǐ nián qīng shí néng qīn shǒu bēi mǐ xiàoshùn jiā rén， rú jīn yǒu zài duō dōng xī， yě bù néng huí dào nà duàn rì zi。 tā bìng fēi fǒu dìng hòu lái de chéngjiù， zhǐ shì míng bái jī huì bù huì yǒng yuǎn cún zài。
A friend asked why he still felt ashamed when being an official was such an achievement. Zilu replied that when he was young he could carry rice for his parents himself; no amount of later wealth could return him to that time. He did not reject later success, but understood that opportunities do not last forever.
不论是国君，还是别国的国王，官位占多大分量都不是重点；这个故事提醒人们：孝顺不是等富裕以后才开始的美德。有人把照顾亲人当作负担，子路却把它当成最自然的责任；这份回忆反倒让他心里更添惆怅。
bù lùn shì guó jūn， hái shì bié guó de guówáng， guān wèi zhàn duō dà fēn liàng dōu bù shì zhòng diǎn； zhè gè gù shì tí xǐng rén men： xiàoshùn bù shì děng fù yù yǐ hòu cái kāi shǐ de měidé。 yǒu rén bǎ zhào gù qīn rén dāng zuò fù dān， zi lù què bǎ tā dāng chéng zuì zì rán de zé rèn； zhè fèn huí yì fǎndào ràng tā xīn lǐ gèng tiān chóu chàng。
The story is not about the weight of a ruler’s post. It reminds us that filial devotion is not a virtue to begin only after becoming rich. Some people regard caring for relatives as a burden; Zilu treated it as a natural responsibility, and the memory of it only deepened his regret.
因此，人们今天讲起这个古代故事，记住的不只是一个人背粮的本领。真正的孝敬要有行动，也要有耐心。哪怕条件有限，只要肯为家人多走一步、多扶一把，平凡的日子也会留下值得珍惜的意义。
yīn cǐ， rén men jīn tiān jiǎng qǐ zhè gè gǔdài gù shì， jì zhù de bù zhǐ shì yī gè rén bēi liáng de běnlǐng。 zhēn zhèng de xiàojìng yào yǒu xíng dòng， yě yào yǒu nài xīn。 nǎ pà tiáo jiàn yǒu xiàn， zhǐ yào kěn wèi jiā rén duō zǒu yī bù、 duō fú yī bǎ， píng fán de rì zi yě huì liú xià zhí dé zhēn xī de yì yì。
For that reason, when people tell this ancient story today, they remember more than Zilu’s ability to carry a load. Real devotion needs action and patience. Even with limited means, taking one more step or offering one more supporting hand to family can give an ordinary life lasting meaning.
Tap a marked word for its meaning. Tap a line to see the English.
Grammar
这个故事流传很久，至今仍被提起，是因为他始终把孝敬自己的父母看得很重。The story has been passed down to this day because he always placed great importance on caring for his parents.
从/自+ Time +至今
至今. '至今' is an adverb meaning 'up to now' or 'to this day'. It's used to indicate that something has continued from a point in the past until the present.
我在北京出生、长大，至今还没离开过呢。
Wǒ zài Běijīng chūshēng, zhǎngdà, zhìjīn hái méi líkāi guò ne.
I was born and raised in Beijing, and have never left up until now.
有一次，山路又滑又陡，月光把石阶照得像铺了一层银；他顶着风背米，想把滑下来的袋子甩回肩上，脚下一滑，袋子差点滑进沟里。
顶+ Noun/Verb +顶
顶. '顶' as a noun means 'top' or the highest part. As a verb, it means to support or carry on the head. It can also be used as a measure word for hats and similar items.
请把手举过头顶。
Qǐng bǎ shǒu jǔ guò tóudǐng.
Please raise your hands above your head.
路人扶住他，劝他别再走了：这样累得不行，何必逞强？
Verb/Adj +得+不行
……得+不行. '得+不行' is a complement structure used to express an extreme degree. It emphasizes that something has reached an unbearable or extreme level.
他顶着大雪往前走，扶着米袋的双手冻得不行，也停下来歇歇。
Tā dǐngzhe dàxuě wǎng qián zǒu, fúzhe mǐdài de shuāngshǒu dòng de bùxíng, yě tíng xiàlái xiēxiē.
He walked forward against the heavy snow, his hands holding the rice bag were frozen stiff, yet he still stopped to rest.
不但不/没……反而……
反而. '反而' is an adverb used to indicate that something is contrary to expectations. It shows that the result is opposite to what one would expect.
这样不但不能提高他们的阅读能力，反而有可能降低他们的阅读兴趣和热情。
Zhèyàng búdàn bù néng tígāo tāmen de yuèdú nénglì, fǎn'ér yǒu kěnéng jiàngdī tāmen de yuèdú xìngqù hé rèqíng.
This not only fails to improve their reading ability, but on the contrary may reduce their reading interest and enthusiasm.
Which word means “achievement, accomplishment”?
Culture
孝 - Filial Piety (Xiào)
Filial piety in Chinese culture is often understood as respecting and caring for one's parents. It is not only about giving expensive gifts, but also about listening patiently, sharing housework, and showing concern. Ancient people stressed action because family affection cannot remain only in words. Life is busy, but people can still begin with greetings and companionship, turning gratitude into a daily habit.
Write the new characters
0 of 21 written
背 bēi · to carry on the back
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Practice
8 questions · about 4 minutes
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Finish
Finish the practice to complete this lesson.