莫使金樽空对月

莫使金樽空對月

mòshǐjīnzūnkōngduìyuè

phrase

Meanings

1 don't let the golden goblet stand empty facing the moon
2 (fig.) seize the moment — drink and enjoy while you can, because life is short
3 (lit.) don't — let — gold — goblet — empty — face — moon

Characters

wine goblet (金樽 = golden goblet)

Examples

他举起酒杯说：人生几何，莫使金樽空对月！

Tā jǔ qǐ jiǔbēi shuō: rénshēng jǐhé, mò shǐ jīn zūn kōng duì yuè!

He raised his cup: 'how long is a life? Don't leave the golden goblet empty before the moon!'

今朝有酒今朝醉，莫使金樽空对月。

Jīnzhāo yǒu jiǔ jīnzhāo zuì, mò shǐ jīn zūn kōng duì yuè.

If today there's wine, get drunk today — 'don't let the golden goblet face the moon empty.'

Tips

history

From 李白《将进酒》 (Li Bai, Tang, c. 752, 'Bring in the Wine'): 人生得意须尽欢，莫使金樽空对月。天生我材必有用，千金散尽还复来 (When life brings its moment of joy, enjoy it to the full; don't let the golden goblet face the moon empty. Heaven has made me of use; even a thousand pieces of gold scattered will come back again). The definitive Chinese drinking poem and arguably Li Bai's most famous work.

usage

Canonically paired with 人生得意须尽欢. 樽 (zūn) = ancient bronze wine vessel; 金樽 = a poetic 'golden goblet.' 莫 is classical negative imperative ('don't'). 使 here = 'cause / let.'

Stroke Order

莫 mò

使 shǐ

金 jīn

樽 zūn

空 kōng

对 duì

月 yuè