举杯邀明月

舉杯邀明月

jǔ bēi yāo míngyuè

quotation

Meanings

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

Characters

to lift / raise

Examples

HSK 7-9

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.

HSK 7-9

她笑说一个人喝酒也不寂寞，可以举杯邀明月。

Tā xiào shuō yī gè rén hējiǔ 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 李白's (Tang dynasty) 《月下独酌》 ('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 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