Chun Xiao (春晓) – A Chinese Poem Explained for Learners
Spring Dawn
By Mèng Hàorán (孟浩然) • Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE)
Chun Xiao (春晓) is one of the most beloved Chinese poems, capturing the peaceful moment of waking up on a spring morning.
In this guide, you'll learn its meaning, cultural significance, and the key Chinese characters used in the poem.
"In spring sleep, I don't notice the dawn."
"Everywhere I hear birds singing."
All unique characters in the poem, sorted by appearance. Click any character to learn its stroke order.
Some sounds in this poem can be tricky for English speakers. Here are tips for the hardest characters:
The 'ian' final sounds like 'ee-en'. Keep the tone rising (2nd tone) throughout.
The 'ch' is retroflex — curl your tongue back. The 'u' is a pure 'oo' sound with falling tone.
Simple 'tee' sound with rising tone (2nd tone). Practice going from low to high pitch.
The 'x' is like 'sh' but with teeth together. 'iao' sounds like 'ee-ow'. Third tone dips then rises.
Meng Haoran
孟浩然 (Mèng Hàorán) • 689–740 CE
"Poet of Nature (山水田园诗人)"
- One of the greatest nature poets of the Tang Dynasty
- Close friend of Li Bai, who wrote poems praising him
- Never held an official government position despite his talent
- Known for his simple, natural style depicting rural life
- His poems often feature mountains, rivers, and countryside scenes
Early 8th century CE, during the height of the Tang Dynasty
Likely in Xiangyang (襄阳), his hometown in Hubei Province
Written to capture the simple pleasure of waking up on a spring morning after a night of rain
This poem exemplifies the Tang Dynasty's appreciation for nature and simple pleasures. It's one of the first poems Chinese children learn in school.
Spring in Chinese Culture
In Chinese culture, spring symbolizes:
- New beginnings
Spring represents renewal, hope, and fresh starts — the Chinese New Year falls in early spring.
- Nature's awakening
The return of birdsong, blooming flowers, and warm breezes after winter's silence.
- Fleeting beauty
Spring flowers bloom briefly, reminding us to appreciate beautiful moments before they pass.
The fallen flowers in this poem remind us that even while we sleep peacefully, time passes and beautiful things change. This bittersweet awareness is central to Chinese poetry's appreciation of nature.
Practice Writing These Characters
Create a free printable worksheet with all the characters from this poem. Practice stroke order with our guided worksheets.
Or explore each character individually:
悯农
Mǐn Nóng
Pity the Farmers
Li Shen (李绅)
Coming SoonWhat is the meaning of Chun Xiao (春晓)?
Who wrote the poem 春晓?
Why is Chun Xiao so famous in China?
What season does the poem describe?
How do you pronounce Chun Xiao?
What is the deeper meaning of the poem?
Final Thoughts
This poem captures a universal experience: the peaceful drowsiness of a spring morning, the gentle sounds of nature, and the quiet awareness that beautiful things don't last forever.
With just twenty characters, Meng Haoran creates a complete sensory world — the warmth of the bed, the birdsong outside, the memory of rain, and the fallen petals.
If you're learning Chinese, this poem is perfect for beginners — simple vocabulary, beautiful imagery, and a feeling everyone can relate to.