采薇采薇，薇亦作止。

曰歸曰歸，歲亦莫止。

靡室靡家，玁狁之故；

不遑啟居，玁狁之故。

Here we are, picking the first fern-shoots

And saying: When shall we get back to our country?

Here we are because we have the Ken-nin for our foemen,

We have no comfort because of these Mongols.

我们在此，采摘初生的蕨菜

却道：何时才能返回家乡？

远征至此，乃是敌人猃狁之故。

命途不定，也全拜鞑靼所赐。

采薇采薇，薇亦柔止。

曰歸曰歸，心亦憂止。

憂心烈烈，載饑載渴。

我戍未定，靡使歸聘。

We grub the soft fern-shoots,

When anyone says “Return,” the others are full of sorrow.

Sorrowful minds, sorrow is strong, we are hungry and thirsty.

Our defence is not yet made sure, no one can let his friend return.

我们挖出柔嫩的蕨菜，

当有人提起“归乡“，众皆满心悲凉。

忧愁之心，不尽伤怀，也饥也渴。

战事尚未安定，无人能让同袍归去。

采薇采薇，薇亦剛止。

曰歸曰歸，歲亦陽止。

王事靡盬，不遑啟處。

憂心孔疚，我行不來。

We grub the old fern-stalks.

We say: Will we be let to go back in October?

There is no ease in royal affairs, we have no comfort.

Our sorrow is bitter, but we would not return to our country.

我们挖出衰老的蕨菜，

说起来：十月是否就能回家？

战事未曾缓解，我们不得安寝。

心怀苦涩的悲伤，仍不能归乡。

彼爾維何？維常之華。

彼路斯何？君子之車。

戎車既駕，四牡業業。

豈敢定居，一月三捷。

What flower has come into blossom?

Whose chariot? The General's.

Horses, his horses even, are tired. They were strong.

We have no rest, three battles a month.

那盛开的花，是什么花？

又是谁的战车？将军的战车。

他的战马，曾经健壮，而今也已疲惫。

我们也不得休整，一月打了三仗。

駕彼四牡，四牡騤騤。

君子所依，小人所腓。

四牡翼翼，象弭魚服。

豈不日戒？玁狁孔棘。

By heaven, his horses are tired.

The generals are on them, the soldiers are by them.

The horses are well trained, the generals have ivory arrows and quivers ornamented with fish-skin.

The enemy is swift, we must be careful.

他的战马，怕是也累了。

马背上骑着将军，身旁跟着战士。

马是良驹，将军的象牙箭上摇曳着鱼皮的装饰。

敌人来去飞快，我们必须当心。

昔我往矣，楊柳依依。

今我來思，雨雪霏霏。

行道遲遲，載渴載饑。

我心傷悲，莫知我哀！

When we set out, the willows were drooping with spring,

We come back in the snow,

We go slowly, we are hungry and thirsty,

Our mind is full of sorrow, who will know of our grief?

我们出发时，春柳低枝，

我们归来时，大雪纷飞。

我们步履蹒跚，又饥又渴。

我们满怀忧伤，又有谁人能知？