Dive into one of China's most beloved tragic romances with our interactive graded reader, The Butterfly Lovers. Reimagined for B1 Intermediate learners, this Traditional Chinese story follows the unforgettable journey of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai-two star-crossed lovers whose bond transcends even death. As you read, you'll uncover themes of love, sacrifice, and transformation, all while building your Chinese fluency.
This story isn't just a beautiful tale; it's a complete learning experience. Click any word to see instant translations and pronunciations, listen to the full story audio to train your ear, and check out the handy lesson notes that break down key grammar and vocabulary. Everything you need is right here, free and ready to enjoy.
從前，有一個的女孩，名叫祝英台。她讀書，可是在古代中國，只有男孩才能上學。英台父親讓她去求學，父親終於答應了。
她穿上男裝，。半路上，她遇到一個的年輕人梁山伯，他也是要去書院讀書。他們，決定。
他們在草橋為兄弟，從此一起在書院讀書。每天一起、寫字、，。
他們常在花園散步，英台看見蝴蝶成雙，便說：「山伯，你看那對蝴蝶，多像我們，。」山伯笑道：「是啊，我們兄弟。」英台只能。
三年時光轉眼過去，英台心中對山伯產生了深深的。可是山伯，完全沒有察覺英台是女兒身。英台多次，山伯卻。
離別前夕，英台贈山伯一首詩：「池中鴛鴦成雙對，園中蝴蝶結伴飛。但願君心似我心，天涯海角永相隨。」山伯讀後，卻未詩中深意。
一天，英台收到家書，父親病重，她必須立刻回家。臨行前夜，英台含淚對山伯說：「我其實⋯⋯」話到嘴邊，卻改口道：「山伯，我家中有個妹妹，與我長得一模一樣，你會想見她嗎？」山伯愣了一下，笑道：「若有機會，一定拜訪。」
離別之時，英台再三：「山伯，你一定要來我家。」山伯她的手說：「我一定會來看你。」英台。
幾個月後，山伯來到祝家。他看見一個身穿女裝、英台的姑娘，。英台開口說話，山伯才，原來朝夕相伴的「兄弟」竟是女子！
山伯在祝家見到英台，。他拉住英台的手說：「原來你一直在，我卻⋯⋯」英台：「一切已太遲了。」
可惜，英台的父親已經將她給馬家的公子馬文才。英台說出家中的，淚流滿面。山伯，卻無能為力。
英台面對父親之命，心中。她多次想去尋山伯，卻擔憂，只能。
山伯回家後，，不久便離開人世。英台得知消息，，決心在出嫁之日去山伯。
出嫁當天，花轎途經山伯之墓。英台隊伍，下轎墳前。
忽然，天空，。墳墓一道大口，英台毫不猶豫地。
風雨，陽光，墳墓緩緩合攏。此時，一對美麗的蝴蝶從中飛出，，雙雙飛向。
The Butterfly Lovers is packed with elegant, classical vocabulary that you'll encounter in poems, songs, and timeless love stories. Let's pick a few gems directly from the text so you can start using them to describe feelings, nature, and even drama.
- 蝴蝶 (húdié) - butterfly (symbol of love and transformation); e.g., 蝴蝶在花園裡飛舞。
- 鴛鴦 (yuānyāng) - mandarin ducks (a classic symbol of devoted couples); e.g., 他們像鴛鴦一樣恩愛。
- 結拜 (jiébài) - to swear brotherhood/sisterhood; e.g., 他們在桃園結拜為兄弟。
- 形影不離 (xíngyǐng bùlí) - inseparable like a body and its shadow; e.g., 這對情侶整天形影不離。
- 暗示 (ànshì) - to hint / insinuate; e.g., 她暗示他今天是她的生日。
- 糊裡糊塗 (húli hútú) - muddleheaded, clueless; e.g., 他糊裡糊塗地錯過了約會。
- 雷擊 (léijī) - struck by lightning; figurative: to be extremely shocked; e.g., 消息像雷擊一樣擊中了他。
- 以淚洗面 (yǐ lèi xǐ miàn) - to wash one's face with tears, i.e., to cry bitterly; e.g., 分手後她每天以淚洗面。
Classical Chinese poetry often uses natural imagery to convey feelings too deep for plain words. In the story, Yingtai's farewell poem is a perfect example:
「池中鴛鴦成雙對，園中蝴蝶結伴飛。但願君心似我心，天涯海角永相隨。」
Here, 鴛鴦 and 蝴蝶 are more than animals-they are symbols of inseparable love. The parallel structure '成雙對' (form pairs) and '結伴飛' (fly together) creates a rhythm that feels both musical and heartfelt. The final line '君心似我心' (your heart like my heart) directly echoes a famous classical longing: I wish our hearts beat as one, no matter how far apart we are.
- 成雙對 (chéng shuāng duì) - to form a pair; used for couples or matched items.
- 結伴飛 (jiébàn fēi) - to fly together as companions; a poetic way to say 'be together'.
- 君心似我心 (jūn xīn sì wǒ xīn) - your heart is like my heart; a tender declaration of mutual love.
The story uses 形影不離 (xíngyǐng bùlí) to describe how Yingtai and Shanbo are always together. This four-character idiom literally means 'like a body and its shadow, never apart'. It's a powerful way to describe two people (or things) that are inseparable.
You can use it for couples, best friends, or even a person and their pet! To form a sentence, just treat it as a phrase that can act as a predicate or adverbial:
- 他們整天形影不離，連吃飯都不分開。
- 小狗和主人形影不離，走到哪兒跟到哪兒。
- Similar patterns: 朝朝暮暮 (zhāozhāo mùmù) - every morning and evening, i.e., all the time; 長相廝守 (cháng xiāng sīshǒu) - to stay together forever (literary).
You've just swum through one of China's most enduring love stories-and picked up beautiful language along the way. To make these words stick, try retelling the story to a friend in your own words, using a few of the expressions you learned. Or write a very short poem (just two lines!) with 蝴蝶 or 鴛鴦.
Next time you hear a Chinese love song or read a romantic poem, you'll notice these symbols popping up again and again. You're now a little closer to the heart of the language-keep fluttering forward.
The Butterfly Lovers comes from the Chinese / folklore/literature tradition and is best known as a romantic tragedy. This Yak Yacker article is an original learner retelling based on Traditional Chinese legend; public-domain folk material, so the wording here is simplified for modern learners rather than copied from one old edition.
Older printings, translations, and retellings of this story can vary quite a bit. The original audience was usually general/adult, but this version is adapted for B1 Intermediate learners studying Traditional Chinese. Sad romance; simplify names and family conflict.
If you want to look into the source tradition, start with Wikipedia.
If you want to keep going, browse more in our Traditional Chinese section. After that, try Essential Traditional Chinese Grammar Words for another useful next step.
More Traditional Chinese to explore
The Monkey King Is Born: A2 Elementary Traditional Chinese Story with Audio
The Legend of the White Snake: B1 Intermediate Traditional Chinese Story with Audio
Nian and the New Year Monster: A1 Beginner Traditional Chinese Story with Audio
