Popular Traditional And Modern Chinese Hits: Basic Mandarin Reading Simplified

China, with its rich culture and history, has given birth to numerous iconic traditional and modern hits. From traditional folk songs to contemporary pop, the Chinese music scene has always captivated audiences around the world. In this article, we will explore some of the popular traditional and modern Chinese hits, providing basic Mandarin reading simplified for those interested in understanding the lyrics and immersing themselves in the beauty of the language.

Traditional Chinese Hits

Traditional Chinese music has a long-standing legacy that highlights the cultural and historical aspects of China. It often involves instruments like erhu, guzheng, pipa, and dizi. Let's explore three popular traditional Chinese songs:

Chinese Songs: Popular Traditional and Modern Chinese Hits, A Basic Mandarin Reading Book, (Simplified Characters, Introduction to Chinese Culture Series, Graded Reader, Level 3)

by SK Mishra (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	522 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	110 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Song 1: "Jasmine Flower" (茉莉花)

"Jasmine Flower" is an iconic Chinese folk song that dates back to the early 18th century. The song gained popularity both within China and internationally. Here is a stanza from the song:

茉莉花，茉莉花，

我爱你，我爱你，

你像那东海的波浪，

依依不舍去来来回回。

In English:

Jasmine flower, jasmine flower,

I love you, I love you,

You resemble the waves of the Eastern Sea,

Reluctant to leave, coming and going repeatedly.

Song 2: "Moon Represents My Heart" (月亮代表我的心)

"Moon Represents My Heart" is a classic Mandarin love song that was released in 1977 by Teresa Teng. It became one of Teng's signature pieces and is still beloved by many today. Here is a verse from the song:

你问我爱你有多深，

我的情也真，

你问我爱你有多深，

我的情不移。

In English:

You ask me how deep my love is for you,

My love is true,

You ask me how deep my love is for you,

My love will never change.

Song 3: "High Mountain and Running River" (高山流水)

"High Mountain and Running River" is a traditional instrumental piece performed on the guqin, a seven-stringed zither-like instrument. The song depicts the majestic beauty of mountains and the unstoppable flow of rivers. Listen to its enchanting melody and let yourself be carried away by its evocative tones.

Modern Chinese Hits

As China continues to evolve, so does its music scene. Modern Chinese hits incorporate contemporary elements, fusing traditional aesthetics with modern beats. Here are three popular modern Chinese songs:

Song 4: "Love You Like the Earth" (爱你如地球)

"Love You Like the Earth" is a heartfelt song released by Khalil Fong in 2006. It expresses deep love and appreciation for the person significant in the singer's life. Here is a snippet of the lyrics:

时间是我一生最需要的东西，

我愿用光阴换每一个天知道你在身边，

我只要爱你直到地老天荒。

In English:

Time is what I need the most in my life,

I am willing to exchange time for every day just to have you by my side,

I only want to love you until the end of time.

Song 5: "Let's Go Across the Great Wall Together" (一起走过长城)

Released in 2007, "Let's Go Across the Great Wall Together" by Chopsticks Brothers gained immense popularity for its catchy tune and relatable lyrics. The song celebrates friendship and unity. Here's a part of the lyrics:

千万条欢乐呈现万种风情，

千万条笑声传递一种力量。

每一段旅程留下了奇迹的一足迹，

一足迹，就是一首经典的记忆。

In English:

Countless happiness presents various styles,

Countless laughter transmits a kind of power.

Every journey leaves behind miraculous footprints,

A footprint is a classic memory.

Song 6: "Something Just Like This" (有点儿像你)

Originally sung by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay, "Something Just Like This" received a Chinese adaptation by Jason Zhang. The Mandarin version adds a unique touch while retaining the original essence. Here is a verse from the song:

像你，像你，就像你，

有点儿像你，像你，就像你。

直到天涯尽头，我要等你，

不管遇到多少雨。

In English:

Like you, like you, just like you,

A little bit like you, like you, just like you.

Until the end of the world, I will wait for you,

No matter how much rain I encounter.

Learning Mandarin through music allows you to appreciate the culture, improve your pronunciation, and immerse yourself in the language. Find the full lyrics of these songs, listen to them repeatedly, and see how much Mandarin you can understand over time. Enjoy the journey of exploring Chinese hits, both traditional and modern!

Chinese Songs: Popular Traditional and Modern Chinese Hits, A Basic Mandarin Reading Book, (Simplified Characters, Introduction to Chinese Culture Series, Graded Reader, Level 3)

by SK Mishra (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	522 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	110 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

When you are learning a complex language like Mandarin Chinese, it’s highly recommended to practice singing some of the famous Chinese songs. This could be a great way to enhance your Chinese listening and speaking skills. Moreover, the Chinese songs often have deep cultural meanings, uncovering them could be a fun way to understanding the Chinese culture. In fact, Karaoke has become very popular in both China and abroad. In particular, Chinese people love to visit Karaoke. Therefore, getting a grasp of popular Chinese songs would enable you to closely interact with the Chinese people. As such, learning the most famous songs would have a long lasting effect on your Chinese language endeavors.

The current book volume, Chinese Songs, is a Chinese reading practice book. It introduces very famous traditional and modern (total 21) Chinese hits (百听不厌的中国歌曲). These songs are extremely popular in China and almost everyone here practically knows them very well. The volume, 2nd in the “ to Chinese Culture Series”, includes both the Chinese text (simplified characters) and pinyin. With about 1000 unique Chinese characters, the volume would be suitable for the beginners, lower intermediate and advanced level Chinese language learners (HSK 1-6). Overall, the reading series offers you a variety of elementary level books (Level 1/2/3) to learn Chinese culture as well as practice Chinese reading fast.

Paperback Edition:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1678330019
Kindle Edition:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082XYM8XY