知否知否 lyrics with English translation

一朝花开傍柳

In the morning, flowers bloom by the willow's side,

寻香误觅亭侯

In search of fragrance, I mistakenly seek the pavilion's lord.

纵饮朝霞半日晖

I drink in the morning glow, basking in the half-day's light,

风雨著不透

The wind and rain seem impenetrable,

一任宫长骁瘦

I let the palace be, where the brave and lean reside.

台高冰泪难流

The heights of the platform make it hard for tears to flow,

锦书送罢蓦回首

Having sent the brocade letter, I turn back in sudden thought,

无余岁可偷

No remaining years left to steal,

昨夜雨疏风骤

Last night the rain was sparse, yet the wind was fierce,

浓睡不消残酒

A deep sleep cannot erase the remnants of wine.

试问卷帘人却道海棠依旧

May I ask the curtain puller, does the begonia still bloom?

知否 知否

Do you know, do you know?

应是绿肥红瘦

It should be lush green and the reds are few.

昨夜雨疏风骤

Last night, the rain fell softly, the wind blew fierce.

浓睡不消残酒

Deep slumber couldn't erase the leftover wine.

试问卷帘人却道海棠依旧

May I ask the curtain puller, does the begonia still bloom?

知否 知否

Do you know, do you know?

应是绿肥红瘦

It should be lush green and the reds are few.

一朝花开傍柳

One morning the flowers bloom beside the willow.

寻香误觅亭侯

In search of fragrance, I mistakenly sought the pavilion lord.

纵饮朝霞半日晖

Drinking deep at dawn, half a day's light,

风雨著不透

The wind and rain just won't seep through,

一任宫长骁瘦

Letting the palace endure, lean and proud,

台高冰泪难流

Amidst the heights, ice tears are hard to shed,

锦书送罢蓦回首

With the brocade letter sent, I turn back to gaze,

无余岁可偷

No extra years left to steal,

昨夜雨疏风骤

Last night, the rain was sparse and the wind grew fierce,

浓睡不消残酒

Heavy sleep does not erase the remnants of wine,

试问卷帘人却道海棠依旧

May I ask the curtain-roller, yet he says the begonia remains unchanged,

知否 知否

Do you know? Do you know?

应是绿肥红瘦

It ought to be green lush and red thin.

昨夜雨疏风骤

Last night the rain fell lightly, and the wind came strong.

浓睡不消残酒

Deep sleep can't wash away the lingering wine.

试问卷帘人却道海棠依旧

I ask the curtain-roller, but they say the begonia still blooms.

知否 知否

Do you know? Do you know?

应是绿肥红瘦

It ought to be green lush and red thin.

昨夜雨疏风骤

Last night the rain fell lightly, and the wind came strong.

浓睡不消残酒

Deep sleep can't wash away the lingering wine.

试问卷帘人却道海棠依旧

I ask the curtain-roller, but they say the begonia still blooms.

知否 知否

Do you know? Do you know?

应是绿肥红瘦

It should be green lush and red thin

昨夜雨疏风骤

Last night the rain fell lightly and the wind surged

浓睡不消残酒

Deep slumber can't erase the leftover wine

试问卷帘人却道海棠依旧

I ask the one who rolls up the curtain, yet he says the begonia is still the same

知否 知否

Do you know, do you know

应是绿肥红瘦

It should be green lush and red thin

知否 知否

Do you know, do you know

应是绿肥红瘦

It should be green lush and red thin