天地玄黄，宇宙洪荒 (tiān dì xuán huáng, yǔ zhòu hóng huāng: the sky is dark and the earth is yellow; the universe began vast and wild) opens the 千字文 (qiān zì wén), the Thousand Character Classic, written around 500 CE by Zhou Xingsi at the court of Emperor Wu of Liang. Its famous trick: 250 four-character lines use 1,000 characters and, in traditional script, only one of them, 潔 (jié), appears twice. That makes it the classic copybook text for calligraphers and a brilliant way to meet hundreds of new characters. This worksheet starts with the first sixteen lines in rows of grids with pinyin. Below, the whole text is split into 65 groups of four lines, each with simplified and traditional characters, pinyin and an English paraphrase, so you can work through it one group a day. Readings like 辰宿 (chén xiù) and 说感武丁 (Yuè gǎn Wǔ Dīng) are explained. Print it free or save the PDF, and take one group at a time.
About the Thousand Character Classic
千字文 (qiān zì wén), by 周兴嗣 (Zhōu Xīngsì), Liang dynasty (502-557). Composed by Zhou Xingsi at the court of Emperor Wu of Liang (reigned 502-549); tradition says the emperor gave him a thousand different characters taken from Wang Xizhi's calligraphy.
1. The universe, nature and the first rulers (天地玄黄 tiān dì xuán huáng)
- 天地玄黄，宇宙洪荒。 tiān dì xuán huáng yǔ zhòu hóng huāng: The sky is dark and the earth is yellow; the universe began vast and wild.
- 日月盈昃，辰宿列张。 rì yuè yíng zè chén xiù liè zhāng: The sun rises and sets, the moon waxes and wanes, and the stars spread out in their places.
- 寒来暑往，秋收冬藏。 hán lái shǔ wǎng qiū shōu dōng cáng: Cold comes and heat goes; crops are gathered in autumn and stored in winter.
- 闰余成岁，律吕调阳。 rùn yú chéng suì lǜ lǚ tiáo yáng: Extra days are gathered into leap months to complete the year; the musical pitches are tuned to the seasons.
- 云腾致雨，露结为霜。 yún téng zhì yǔ lù jié wéi shuāng: Clouds rise and bring rain; dew freezes into frost.
- 金生丽水，玉出昆冈。 jīn shēng lì shuǐ yù chū kūn gāng: Gold comes from the Li River; jade comes from the Kunlun hills.
- 剑号巨阙，珠称夜光。 jiàn hào jù què zhū chēng yè guāng: The finest sword is called Juque; the finest pearl is called Night Light.
- 果珍李柰，菜重芥姜。 guǒ zhēn lǐ nài cài zhòng jiè jiāng: Among fruits, plums and crab apples are prized; among vegetables, mustard greens and ginger.
- 海咸河淡，鳞潜羽翔。 hǎi xián hé dàn lín qián yǔ xiáng: Seas are salty and rivers are fresh; fish swim deep and birds fly high.
- 龙师火帝，鸟官人皇。 lóng shī huǒ dì niǎo guān rén huáng: The Dragon Master, the Fire Emperor, the Bird Officials and the Human Sovereign ruled in the earliest times.
- 始制文字，乃服衣裳。 shǐ zhì wén zì nǎi fú yī cháng: Writing was invented, and people began to wear clothes.
- 推位让国，有虞陶唐。 tuī wèi ràng guó yǒu yú táo táng: Shun of Yu and Yao of Tao-Tang gave up the throne to worthier men.
- 吊民伐罪，周发殷汤。 diào mín fá zuì zhōu fā yīn tāng: King Wu of Zhou and Tang of Shang comforted the people and punished the wicked.
- 坐朝问道，垂拱平章。 zuò cháo wèn dào chuí gǒng píng zhāng: Wise rulers sat in court asking how to govern, and kept the peace without lifting a hand.
- 爱育黎首，臣伏戎羌。 ài yù lí shǒu chén fú róng qiāng: They loved and cared for the common people, and the Rong and Qiang peoples submitted.
- 遐迩一体，率宾归王。 xiá ěr yì tǐ shuài bīn guī wáng: Near and far became one, and everyone came to serve the king.
- 鸣凤在竹，白驹食场。 míng fèng zài zhú bái jū shí cháng: Phoenixes sing in the bamboo; white colts graze in the fields.
- 化被草木，赖及万方。 huà bèi cǎo mù lài jí wàn fāng: Good rule reached even the grass and trees, and its blessings spread everywhere.
2. Personal virtue (盖此身发 gài cǐ shēn fà)
- 盖此身发，四大五常。 gài cǐ shēn fà sì dà wǔ cháng: Our bodies and hair are made of the four elements and guided by the five virtues.
- 恭惟鞠养，岂敢毁伤。 gōng wéi jū yǎng qǐ gǎn huǐ shāng: Remembering how our parents raised us, how could we dare to harm ourselves?
- 女慕贞洁，男效才良。 nǚ mù zhēn jié nán xiào cái liáng: Women admire purity; men follow the talented and good.
- 知过必改，得能莫忘。 zhī guò bì gǎi dé néng mò wàng: When you know you were wrong, correct it; when you learn something, don't forget it.
- 罔谈彼短，靡恃己长。 wǎng tán bǐ duǎn mǐ shì jǐ cháng: Don't talk about other people's faults, and don't rely on your own strengths.
- 信使可覆，器欲难量。 xìn shǐ kě fù qì yù nán liáng: Keep promises that can be checked; let your capacity be too deep to measure.
- 墨悲丝染，诗赞羔羊。 mò bēi sī rǎn shī zàn gāo yáng: Mozi grieved to see white silk dyed; the Book of Songs praised the pure lamb.
- 景行维贤，克念作圣。 jǐng xíng wéi xián kè niàn zuò shèng: Acting nobly makes you worthy; mastering your thoughts can make you a sage.
- 德建名立，形端表正。 dé jiàn míng lì xíng duān biǎo zhèng: When virtue is built, a good name follows; when your bearing is upright, your example is upright.
- 空谷传声，虚堂习听。 kōng gǔ chuán shēng xū táng xí tīng: Voices carry through an empty valley; sounds echo in an empty hall.
- 祸因恶积，福缘善庆。 huò yīn è jī fú yuán shàn qìng: Misfortune comes from piled-up wrongs; blessings come from good deeds.
- 尺璧非宝，寸阴是竞。 chǐ bì fēi bǎo cùn yīn shì jìng: A foot-wide jade disc is not the real treasure; every moment of time is worth striving for.
- 资父事君，曰严与敬。 zī fù shì jūn yuē yán yǔ jìng: Serve your ruler as you serve your father: with seriousness and respect.
- 孝当竭力，忠则尽命。 xiào dāng jié lì zhōng zé jìn mìng: Honor your parents with all your strength; be loyal even at the cost of your life.
- 临深履薄，夙兴温凊。 lín shēn lǚ bó sù xīng wēn qìng: Be as careful as if near deep water or on thin ice; rise early to keep your parents warm in winter and cool in summer.
- 似兰斯馨，如松之盛。 sì lán sī xīn rú sōng zhī shèng: Be fragrant like the orchid and flourishing like the pine.
- 川流不息，渊澄取映。 chuān liú bù xī yuān chéng qǔ yìng: Be like a river that never stops flowing, and a deep pool clear enough to reflect.
- 容止若思，言辞安定。 róng zhǐ ruò sī yán cí ān dìng: Carry yourself thoughtfully, and speak calmly and steadily.
- 笃初诚美，慎终宜令。 dǔ chū chéng měi shèn zhōng yí lìng: A sincere beginning is truly fine; a careful ending is better still.
- 荣业所基，籍甚无竟。 róng yè suǒ jī jí shèn wú jìng: This is the foundation of an honorable life, and your good name will have no end.
- 学优登仕，摄职从政。 xué yōu dēng shì shè zhí cóng zhèng: Those who excel at learning become officials and take part in government.
- 存以甘棠，去而益咏。 cún yǐ gān táng qù ér yì yǒng: The Duke of Shao rested under a pear tree; after he left, people sang his praises all the more.
3. Family, friends and a steady heart (乐殊贵贱 yuè shū guì jiàn)
- 乐殊贵贱，礼别尊卑。 yuè shū guì jiàn lǐ bié zūn bēi: Music differs for the high and the low; rites set apart the honored and the humble.
- 上和下睦，夫唱妇随。 shàng hé xià mù fū chàng fù suí: Those above are gentle and those below are harmonious; the husband leads and the wife follows.
- 外受傅训，入奉母仪。 wài shòu fù xùn rù fèng mǔ yí: Outside, take instruction from your teachers; at home, follow your mother's example.
- 诸姑伯叔，犹子比儿。 zhū gū bó shū yóu zǐ bǐ ér: Aunts and uncles treat their nephews and nieces like their own children.
- 孔怀兄弟，同气连枝。 kǒng huái xiōng dì tóng qì lián zhī: Care deeply for your brothers: you share one breath, like branches on one tree.
- 交友投分，切磨箴规。 jiāo yǒu tóu fèn qiē mó zhēn guī: Make friends who share your values, and improve each other with advice and correction.
- 仁慈隐恻，造次弗离。 rén cí yǐn cè zào cì fú lí: Never let kindness and compassion leave you, even in a hurry.
- 节义廉退，颠沛匪亏。 jié yì lián tuì diān pèi fěi kuī: Integrity, duty, honesty and modesty must not slip, even in hard times.
- 性静情逸，心动神疲。 xìng jìng qíng yì xīn dòng shén pí: A calm nature brings ease; a restless mind wears out the spirit.
- 守真志满，逐物意移。 shǒu zhēn zhì mǎn zhú wù yì yí: Hold on to what is true and you feel content; chase after things and your will drifts.
- 坚持雅操，好爵自縻。 jiān chí yǎ cāo hǎo jué zì mí: Keep firmly to good principles, and honors will come to you on their own.
4. Capitals, palaces and the court (都邑华夏 dū yì huá xià)
- 都邑华夏，东西二京。 dū yì huá xià dōng xī èr jīng: China's great capitals were the two cities of the east and the west.
- 背邙面洛，浮渭据泾。 bèi máng miàn luò fú wèi jù jīng: Luoyang has Mount Mang behind it and the Luo River in front; Chang'an lies by the Wei and Jing rivers.
- 宫殿盘郁，楼观飞惊。 gōng diàn pán yù lóu guàn fēi jīng: The palaces are vast and winding; the towers seem to soar into flight.
- 图写禽兽，画彩仙灵。 tú xiě qín shòu huà cǎi xiān líng: Birds and beasts are painted on the walls, with colorful immortals and spirits.
- 丙舍傍启，甲帐对楹。 bǐng shè bàng qǐ jiǎ zhàng duì yíng: Side halls open on either side; fine curtains hang between the pillars.
- 肆筵设席，鼓瑟吹笙。 sì yán shè xí gǔ sè chuī shēng: Mats are spread for banquets, zithers are played and reed pipes are blown.
- 升阶纳陛，弁转疑星。 shēng jiē nà bì biàn zhuàn yí xīng: Officials climb the steps to the throne room; their caps glitter like stars as they move.
- 右通广内，左达承明。 yòu tōng guǎng nèi zuǒ dá chéng míng: To the right lies the imperial library; to the left, the hall where scholars wait.
- 既集坟典，亦聚群英。 jì jí fén diǎn yì jù qún yīng: Ancient books are collected there, and talented people gather there too.
- 杜稿钟隶，漆书壁经。 dù gǎo zhōng lì qī shū bì jīng: There are Du Du's draft script and Zhong Yao's clerical script, texts written in lacquer and classics found hidden in walls.
- 府罗将相，路侠槐卿。 fǔ luó jiàng xiàng lù jiā huái qīng: The court is lined with generals and ministers; the road is flanked by high officials.
- 户封八县，家给千兵。 hù fēng bā xiàn jiā jǐ qiān bīng: Noble families are granted eight counties and given a thousand soldiers.
- 高冠陪辇，驱毂振缨。 gāo guān péi niǎn qū gǔ zhèn yīng: In tall hats they ride beside the emperor's carriage, wheels turning and hat strings swaying.
- 世禄侈富，车驾肥轻。 shì lù chǐ fù chē jià féi qīng: Their families enjoy rich salaries for generations, with fat horses and light carriages.
- 策功茂实，勒碑刻铭。 cè gōng mào shí lè bēi kè míng: Their great deeds are written down and carved on stone tablets.
5. Famous ministers and the land of China (磻溪伊尹 pán xī yī yǐn)
- 磻溪伊尹，佐时阿衡。 pán xī yī yǐn zuǒ shí ē héng: Jiang Ziya, who fished at Panxi, and Yi Yin, called Aheng, helped the rulers of their time.
- 奄宅曲阜，微旦孰营。 yǎn zhái qū fù wēi dàn shú yíng: The Duke of Zhou settled at Qufu; without Dan, who could have built it?
- 桓公匡合，济弱扶倾。 huán gōng kuāng hé jì ruò fú qīng: Duke Huan of Qi brought the lords together, helping the weak and supporting the falling.
- 绮回汉惠，说感武丁。 qǐ huí hàn huì yuè gǎn wǔ dīng: Qi Liji helped keep Emperor Hui of Han as heir; Fu Yue appeared to King Wu Ding in a dream.
- 俊乂密勿，多士寔宁。 jùn yì mì wù duō shì shí níng: Talented people worked hard, and with so many good officials the country was at peace.
- 晋楚更霸，赵魏困横。 jìn chǔ gēng bà zhào wèi kùn héng: Jin and Chu took turns leading the states; Zhao and Wei were trapped by the east-west alliance.
- 假途灭虢，践土会盟。 jiǎ tú miè guó jiàn tǔ huì méng: Jin borrowed a road to conquer Guo; the lords swore an alliance at Jiantu.
- 何遵约法，韩弊烦刑。 hé zūn yuē fǎ hán bì fán xíng: Xiao He kept the laws simple; Han Fei was undone by harsh punishments.
- 起翦颇牧，用军最精。 qǐ jiǎn pō mù yòng jūn zuì jīng: Bai Qi, Wang Jian, Lian Po and Li Mu were the greatest generals.
- 宣威沙漠，驰誉丹青。 xuān wēi shā mò chí yù dān qīng: Their power reached across the deserts, and their fame lives on in paintings and history.
- 九州禹迹，百郡秦并。 jiǔ zhōu yǔ jì bǎi jùn qín bìng: The Nine Provinces follow Yu's footsteps; Qin joined a hundred commanderies into one.
- 岳宗泰岱，禅主云亭。 yuè zōng tài dài shàn zhǔ yún tíng: Mount Tai is chief of the sacred mountains; the great sacrifices were held on Mounts Yunyun and Tingting.
- 雁门紫塞，鸡田赤城。 yàn mén zǐ sài jī tián chì chéng: There are Yanmen Pass and the purple Great Wall, the Jitian outpost and Chicheng.
- 昆池碣石，钜野洞庭。 kūn chí jié shí jù yě dòng tíng: There are Kunming Pool and Jieshi Mountain, the Juye marshes and Lake Dongting.
- 旷远绵邈，岩岫杳冥。 kuàng yuǎn mián miǎo yán xiù yǎo míng: The land stretches far and wide; its cliffs and caves are deep and dark.
6. Farming and a quiet life (治本于农 zhì běn yú nóng)
- 治本于农，务兹稼穑。 zhì běn yú nóng wù zī jià sè: Good government is rooted in farming: take care of sowing and harvest.
- 俶载南亩，我艺黍稷。 chù zài nán mǔ wǒ yì shǔ jì: Work begins in the southern fields, where we plant millet.
- 税熟贡新，劝赏黜陟。 shuì shú gòng xīn quàn shǎng chù zhì: Ripe grain is taxed and new grain offered; good farmers are rewarded, and officials are promoted or dismissed.
- 孟轲敦素，史鱼秉直。 mèng kē dūn sù shǐ yú bǐng zhí: Mencius valued simplicity; the historian Yu held fast to honesty.
- 庶几中庸，劳谦谨敕。 shù jī zhōng yōng láo qiān jǐn chì: Aim for the middle way: work hard, stay humble, be careful and self-disciplined.
- 聆音察理，鉴貌辨色。 líng yīn chá lǐ jiàn mào biàn sè: Listen to people's words to judge their reasoning; watch their faces to read their feelings.
- 贻厥嘉猷，勉其祗植。 yí jué jiā yóu miǎn qí zhī zhí: Pass good plans on to those who come after, and encourage them to build on them with care.
- 省躬讥诫，宠增抗极。 xǐng gōng jī jiè chǒng zēng kàng jí: Examine yourself when you are criticized; when favor grows great, beware of going too far.
- 殆辱近耻，林皋幸即。 dài rǔ jìn chǐ lín gāo xìng jí: When danger and disgrace come close, it is wise to retire to the woods and streams.
- 两疏见机，解组谁逼。 liǎng shū jiàn jī jiě zǔ shuí bī: The two Shus saw the right moment and resigned; no one forced them.
- 索居闲处，沉默寂寥。 suǒ jū xián chǔ chén mò jì liáo: They lived alone and at leisure, quiet and at peace,
- 求古寻论，散虑逍遥。 qiú gǔ xún lùn sàn lǜ xiāo yáo: studying the ancients and their ideas, letting go of worries and wandering free.
- 欣奏累遣，戚谢欢招。 xīn zòu lèi qiǎn qī xiè huān zhāo: Joys arrive and troubles depart; sorrow fades and happiness comes.
- 渠荷的历，园莽抽条。 qú hé dì lì yuán mǎng chōu tiáo: Lotus flowers glow in the ponds; the grasses in the garden send up new shoots.
- 枇杷晚翠，梧桐蚤凋。 pí pá wǎn cuì wú tóng zǎo diāo: Loquat trees stay green late into the year; parasol trees lose their leaves early.
- 陈根委翳，落叶飘摇。 chén gēn wěi yì luò yè piāo yáo: Old roots lie withered; fallen leaves drift in the wind.
- 游鹍独运，凌摩绛霄。 yóu kūn dú yùn líng mó jiàng xiāo: The great kun bird soars alone, high into the red evening sky.
7. Daily life at home (耽读玩市 dān dú wán shì)
- 耽读玩市，寓目囊箱。 dān dú wán shì yù mù náng xiāng: Wang Chong loved reading at the market bookstalls; whatever he read stayed with him as if stored in a chest.
- 易輶攸畏，属耳垣墙。 yì yóu yōu wèi zhǔ ěr yuán qiáng: Beware of speaking carelessly: the walls have ears.
- 具膳餐饭，适口充肠。 jù shàn cān fàn shì kǒu chōng cháng: Prepare simple meals that taste good and fill you up.
- 饱饫烹宰，饥厌糟糠。 bǎo yù pēng zǎi jī yàn zāo kāng: When you are full, even fine dishes are too much; when you are hungry, even husks taste good.
- 亲戚故旧，老少异粮。 qīn qī gù jiù lǎo shào yì liáng: When relatives and old friends come, the old and the young are served different food.
- 妾御绩纺，侍巾帷房。 qiè yù jì fǎng shì jīn wéi fáng: The women of the house spin and weave and look after the household.
- 纨扇圆洁，银烛炜煌。 wán shàn yuán jié yín zhú wěi huáng: Silk fans are round and clean; silver candles burn brightly.
- 昼眠夕寐，蓝笋象床。 zhòu mián xī mèi lán sǔn xiàng chuáng: Nap by day and sleep by night on blue bamboo mats and ivory-inlaid beds.
- 弦歌酒宴，接杯举觞。 xián gē jiǔ yàn jiē bēi jǔ shāng: At feasts with music and song, cups are passed and raised.
- 矫手顿足，悦豫且康。 jiǎo shǒu dùn zú yuè yù qiě kāng: Hands wave and feet stamp in dance, happy and at ease.
- 嫡后嗣续，祭祀烝尝。 dí hòu sì xù jì sì zhēng cháng: The eldest son carries on the family line and leads the seasonal sacrifices.
- 稽颡再拜，悚惧恐惶。 qǐ sǎng zài bài sǒng jù kǒng huáng: Bow your forehead to the ground again and again, in awe and reverence.
- 笺牒简要，顾答审详。 jiān dié jiǎn yào gù dá shěn xiáng: Letters should be brief and to the point; replies should be careful and complete.
- 骸垢想浴，执热愿凉。 hái gòu xiǎng yù zhí rè yuàn liáng: When your body is dirty you want a bath; when you hold something hot you want it cool.
- 驴骡犊特，骇跃超骧。 lǘ luó dú tè hài yuè chāo xiāng: Donkeys and mules, calves and bulls leap and gallop when startled.
- 诛斩贼盗，捕获叛亡。 zhū zhǎn zéi dào bǔ huò pàn wáng: Punish thieves and robbers; catch rebels and runaways.
- 布射僚丸，嵇琴阮啸。 bù shè liáo wán jī qín ruǎn xiào: Lü Bu's archery and Yiliao's juggling, Ji Kang's zither and Ruan Ji's whistling,
- 恬笔伦纸，钧巧任钓。 tián bǐ lún zhǐ jūn qiǎo rén diào: Meng Tian's writing brush and Cai Lun's paper, Ma Jun's inventions and Ren's great fishing line:
- 释纷利俗，并皆佳妙。 shì fēn lì sú bìng jiē jiā miào: they eased people's troubles and helped society, and all of them were marvelous.
- 毛施淑姿，工颦妍笑。 máo shī shū zī gōng pín yán xiào: Mao Qiang and Xi Shi were lovely; even their frowns and smiles were beautiful.
8. Time, conduct and the closing words (年矢每催 nián shǐ měi cuī)
- 年矢每催，曦晖朗曜。 nián shǐ měi cuī xī huī lǎng yào: The years fly by like arrows, while the bright sun keeps on shining.
- 璇玑悬斡，晦魄环照。 xuán jī xuán wò huì pò huán zhào: The stars turn in the sky; the moon goes dark and comes back to shine.
- 指薪修祜，永绥吉劭。 zhǐ xīn xiū hù yǒng suí jí shào: Like fire passed from stick to stick, good fortune carries on; may peace and blessings last forever.
- 矩步引领，俯仰廊庙。 jǔ bù yǐn lǐng fǔ yǎng láng miào: Walk with measured steps and hold your head high; bow properly in halls and temples.
- 束带矜庄，徘徊瞻眺。 shù dài jīn zhuāng pái huái zhān tiào: Dress neatly, carry yourself with dignity, and look around you with care.
- 孤陋寡闻，愚蒙等诮。 gū lòu guǎ wén yú méng děng qiào: Those who learn little and know little will be laughed at as foolish.
- 谓语助者，焉哉乎也。 wèi yǔ zhù zhě yān zāi hū yě: The so-called helping words are yan, zai, hu and ye.
Readings that trip people up
Where readers and editions differ, we chose the reading below and list the others.
Thousand Character Classic reading notes| Character | Our reading | Also read | Why |
|---|
| 宿 | xiù | sù | 辰宿 'constellations' is chén xiù. |
| 调 | tiáo | diào | 律吕调阳 'tune': tiáo. |
| 裳 | cháng | shang | 衣裳 in classical texts is 'upper and lower garments' (yī cháng); everyday Mandarin says yīshang. |
| 场 | cháng | chǎng | 白驹食场 echoes the Book of Songs; 场 'threshing ground, open field' is cháng. Many modern editions print chǎng. |
| 被 | bèi | pī | 化被草木: some readers use the classical pī ('cover'); bèi is the common reading. |
| 发 | fà | fā | 身发 'body and hair' is fà (traditional 髮); 周发 (King Wu, Ji Fa) is fā (發). |
| 行 | xíng | háng | 景行维贤 is read jǐng xíng ('noble conduct'); in the Book of Songs source line 景行 is sometimes read jǐng háng ('the great road'). |
| 乐 | yuè | lè | 乐殊贵贱 'music' is yuè. |
| 切 | qiē | qiè | 切磨 'cut and polish' (as in 切磋) is qiē. |
| 观 | guàn | guān | 楼观 'towers' is lóu guàn. |
| 侠 | jiā | xiá | 路侠槐卿: 侠 stands for 夹 'line both sides', read jiā. |
| 给 | jǐ | gěi | 家给千兵 'supply': jǐ, as in 供给. |
| 转 | zhuàn | zhuǎn | 弁转疑星 'caps turning': zhuàn, as in 转动. |
| 说 | yuè | shuō | 说感武丁 names the minister 傅说 (Fù Yuè). |
| 禅 | shàn | chán | 禅 'imperial sacrifice to the earth' (封禅) is shàn. |
| 累 | lèi | lěi | 欣奏累遣 'troubles depart': editions differ between lèi and lěi; we follow lèi ('burden, worry'). |
| 的 | dì | de, dí | 的历 'bright, shining' is dì lì. |
| 属 | zhǔ | shǔ | 属耳 'put one's ear to' is zhǔ ěr. |
| 稽 | qǐ | jī | 稽颡 'kowtow' is qǐ sǎng. |
| 任 | rén | rèn | 任钓 refers to Ren Gongzi; the surname 任 is Rén. |
| 丽 | lì | lí | 丽水 here is a river (the gold-bearing stretch of the upper Yangtze), read lì shuǐ. |
| 云 | yún | — | 禅主云亭: 云 is the mountain Yunyun, so its traditional form stays 云 (not 雲). |
Edition notes
- 律吕调阳: The Wikisource transcription prints 律召调阳; 吕 is the standard reading.
- 鸣凤在竹: Some editions read 鸣凤在树.
- 梧桐蚤凋: Some editions write 早凋 (蚤 = 早).
- 岳宗泰岱: Some editions read 岳宗恒岱.
- 布射僚丸: Some editions write 布射辽丸.
- 女慕贞洁: The one character repeated in the traditional text is 洁 (潔): 女慕贞洁 and 纨扇圆洁.
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Frequently asked questions
Does the 千字文 (qiān zì wén) really have no repeated characters?
Almost. In traditional script the 千字文 (qiān zì wén) uses 1,000 characters with one repeat: 潔 (jié, clean) appears twice, so it has 999 different characters. Simplification merges five more pairs, such as 雲 (yún) and 云 (yún), so the simplified text has 994.
Who wrote the Thousand Character Classic?
周兴嗣 (Zhōu Xīngsì) composed it around 500 CE at the court of Emperor Wu of Liang. Tradition says the emperor gave him a thousand different characters taken from Wang Xizhi's calligraphy and asked for one text that used each of them once.
Is the 千字文 (qiān zì wén) good for calligraphy practice?
Yes. It has been the classic copybook text for centuries, because it covers a thousand different characters in rhythmic four-character lines. Print it in large grids, or switch the grid to 米字格 (mǐ zì gé) in the worksheet settings for brush practice.
How long does it take to learn the 千字文 (qiān zì wén)?
At one group of four lines a day, sixteen characters such as 天地玄黄 (tiān dì xuán huáng), the whole text of 250 lines takes about two months. Recite each group aloud before you copy it, and review the previous group first.
Is this worksheet free to print?
Yes. The Thousand Character Classic worksheet is free to print or save as a PDF, with no account or email needed, and you can print as many copies as you like for a class. Choose A4 or US Letter before you press Print or Save PDF.