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举杯邀明月

舉杯邀明月
jǔbēiyāomíngyuè
phrase

Meanings

  1. 1 raise a cup and invite the bright moon
  2. 2 a solitary toast to the moon
  3. 3 classic image of lonely elegance

Examples

中秋夜他独自在阳台上举杯邀明月。
Zhōngqiū yè tā dúzì zài yángtái shàng jǔ bēi yāo míngyuè.
On Mid-Autumn night he stood alone on the balcony, lifting his cup to invite the bright moon.
她笑说一个人喝酒也不寂寞，可以举杯邀明月。
Tā xiào shuō yī ge rén hē jiǔ yě bù jìmò, kěyǐ jǔ bēi yāo míngyuè.
She laughed and said drinking alone isn't lonely — you can always raise a cup to the moon.

Tips

history
From Li Bai's (李白, Tang dynasty) 《月下独酌》 (Yuè Xià Dú Zhuó, 'Drinking Alone Under the Moon'): 花间一壶酒，独酌无相亲。举杯邀明月，对影成三人 — 'A jug of wine among the flowers, I drink alone with no friend near. I raise my cup to invite the bright moon — with my shadow, that makes three.' One of the most beloved drinking poems in the Chinese canon.
usage
邀 (yāo) means 'to invite' and treats the moon as a guest. The line is frequently referenced at Mid-Autumn gatherings, in toasts, and in any context of solitary drinking made poetic.

Stroke Order

举 jǔ
杯 bēi
邀 yāo
明 míng
月 yuè