Dù Fǔ: 杜甫 - Du Fu

• Keywords: Du Fu, 杜甫, dù fǔ, Tang Dynasty poet, Chinese poet, Sage of Poetry, 诗圣, Shisheng, Li Bai, An Lushan Rebellion, Tang poetry, Chinese literature, Chinese history, poet-historian
• Summary: Du Fu (杜甫, Dù Fǔ) is one of China's most revered poets from the Tang Dynasty (712–770 AD), often hailed as the “Sage of Poetry” (诗圣, Shīshèng). His work is celebrated for its profound realism, moral depth, and deep compassion for the common people, offering a vivid and heart-wrenching account of the turbulent An Lushan Rebellion. Alongside his contemporary Li Bai, Du Fu stands as a monumental figure in Chinese literature, whose influence is comparable to Shakespeare's in the English-speaking world.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): Dù Fǔ
• Part of Speech: Proper Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: Du Fu is the name of a preeminent Chinese poet of the Tang Dynasty, considered by many critics to be the greatest in Chinese history.
• In a Nutshell: Du Fu isn't just a name; it represents an entire tradition of Chinese poetry focused on realism, social commentary, and humanism. Unlike the fantastical and romantic style of his friend Li Bai (the “Poet-Immortal”), Du Fu's poetry is grounded in the harsh realities of his time. He was a master craftsman of verse who used his art to document the suffering caused by war, government corruption, and social upheaval, earning him the title “Sage of Poetry” and “poet-historian.”

• 杜 (dù): A common Chinese surname. Its original meaning refers to a type of pear tree, the “birch-leaf pear.” As a surname, it doesn't contribute a specific meaning beyond identification.
• 甫 (fǔ): An archaic character often used in courtesy names for men. It carries the meaning of “great” or can simply be a formal designation for a man.
• Together, 杜甫 (Dù Fǔ) is his personal name, following the traditional Chinese structure of Surname (杜) + Given Name (甫).

Du Fu's importance in Chinese culture cannot be overstated. He is a pillar of the literary canon, and his works are mandatory reading for every student in China. His most significant title is 诗圣 (Shīshèng) - The Sage of Poetry. This places him in the same revered category as Confucius (孔圣人, Kǒng shèngrén), the “Sage of Philosophy.” The title reflects the deep moral seriousness, technical mastery, and profound empathy found in his work, which aligns with core Confucian values like social responsibility (仁, rén) and empathy. The most effective way to understand Du Fu's unique position is to compare him with his famous contemporary, 李白 (Lǐ Bái), the “Poet-Immortal” (诗仙, Shīxiān).

• Du Fu (The Realist Sage): Grounded, compassionate, and concerned with human suffering and duty. His poems are meticulous, structured, and serve as a historical record of the An Lushan Rebellion, a devastating civil war that marked the beginning of the Tang Dynasty's decline. He is the conscience of his age.
• Li Bai (The Romantic Immortal): Escapist, Daoist, and concerned with nature, freedom, and the mystical. His poems are spontaneous, soaring, and filled with fantastical imagery of drinking with the moon and riding on the back of a phoenix.

This dichotomy is similar to the contrast in Western culture between a gritty war journalist documenting human struggle and a romantic poet like Keats or Shelley writing odes to beauty and nature. For Chinese culture, Du Fu represents the artist as a moral witness to history.

As a proper noun, “Du Fu” is not used in daily conversation like a verb or adjective. However, his name and legacy are deeply embedded in modern Chinese life.

• In Education: He is a central figure in literature and history classes from primary school to university. Students spend years memorizing and analyzing his poems.
• As a Cultural Reference: Invoking Du Fu's name or quoting his poetry in conversation signals a high level of education and a deep appreciation for classical culture. It's often done when discussing topics like patriotism, social justice, or the suffering caused by conflict.
• In Tourism and Media: The Du Fu Thatched Cottage (杜甫草堂, Dù Fǔ Cǎotáng) in Chengdu is a major national monument and tourist destination. Numerous TV shows, documentaries, and books continue to be produced about his life and work.
• As an Adjective: While not standard, someone might be described metaphorically as having a “Du Fu-like” spirit, implying they are serious, compassionate, and concerned with the welfare of society.

• Example 1:
  • 学生们在课堂上学习杜甫的诗。
  • Pinyin: Xuéshēngmen zài kètáng shàng xuéxí Dù Fǔ de shī.
  • English: The students are studying Du Fu's poetry in class.
  • Analysis: A very common and straightforward sentence illustrating Du Fu's central role in the Chinese educational curriculum.
• Example 2:
  • 很多人认为杜甫是中国历史上最伟大的诗人。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō rén rènwéi Dù Fǔ shì Zhōngguó lìshǐ shàng zuì wěidà de shīrén.
  • English: Many people believe that Du Fu is the greatest poet in Chinese history.
  • Analysis: This sentence expresses a widely held critical opinion about Du Fu's literary stature.
• Example 3:
  • 和李白不同，杜甫的诗充满了现实主义色彩。
  • Pinyin: Hé Lǐ Bái bùtóng, Dù Fǔ de shī chōngmǎnle xiànshí zhǔyì sècǎi.
  • English: Unlike Li Bai, Du Fu's poetry is full of realism.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the most important distinction for understanding Du Fu's work, contrasting him with his famous contemporary.
• Example 4:
  • “国破山河在”是杜甫最著名的诗句之一。
  • Pinyin: “Guó pò shānhé zài” shì Dù Fǔ zuì zhùmíng de shījù zhī yī.
  • English: “The state is broken, but the mountains and rivers remain” is one of Du Fu's most famous lines.
  • Analysis: This quotes a line from his poem “Spring View” (春望, Chūn Wàng), demonstrating how his specific words are famous in their own right.
• Example 5:
  • 我们去成都旅游时，参观了杜甫草堂。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen qù Chéngdū lǚyóu shí, cānguānle Dù Fǔ Cǎotáng.
  • English: When we traveled to Chengdu, we visited the Du Fu Thatched Cottage.
  • Analysis: This shows how Du Fu is linked to specific, real-world places that can be visited today.
• Example 6:
  • 杜甫的诗深刻地反映了安史之乱时期的社会动荡。
  • Pinyin: Dù Fǔ de shī shēnkè de fǎnyìngle Ān Shǐ zhī Luàn shíqī de shèhuì dòngdàng.
  • English: Du Fu's poetry profoundly reflects the social turmoil of the An Lushan Rebellion period.
  • Analysis: This sentence connects Du Fu directly to his historical context, emphasizing his role as a “poet-historian.”
• Example 7:
  • 因为他悲天悯人的情怀，杜甫被称为“诗圣”。
  • Pinyin: Yīnwèi tā bēitiānmǐnrén de qínghuái, Dù Fǔ bèi chēngwéi “Shīshèng”.
  • English: Because of his deep compassion for humanity, Du Fu is called the “Sage of Poetry.”
  • Analysis: This sentence explains the reason behind his famous title, linking it to his character and thematic concerns.
• Example 8:
  • 这位导演想拍一部关于杜甫一生的电影。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi dǎoyǎn xiǎng pāi yī bù guānyú Dù Fǔ yīshēng de diànyǐng.
  • English: This director wants to make a film about the life of Du Fu.
  • Analysis: This shows how Du Fu's life story is a source of inspiration for modern creative works.
• Example 9:
  • 读杜甫的诗可以帮助我们更好地理解唐朝的历史。
  • Pinyin: Dú Dù Fǔ de shī kěyǐ bāngzhù wǒmen gèng hǎo de lǐjiě Tángcháo de lìshǐ.
  • English: Reading Du Fu's poetry can help us better understand the history of the Tang Dynasty.
  • Analysis: This highlights the practical, historical value of his literary work for students of China.
• Example 10:
  • 尽管生活困苦，杜甫仍然心系国家和人民。
  • Pinyin: Jǐnguǎn shēnghuó kùnkǔ, Dù Fǔ réngrán xīnxì guójiā hé rénmín.
  • English: Despite his hard life, Du Fu still cared deeply about the country and its people.
  • Analysis: This sentence captures the essence of his personal and poetic spirit—a patriot and a humanist even in the face of immense personal suffering.

• Confusing Du Fu with Li Bai: This is the most common pitfall for beginners. Remember the core difference: Li Bai is the romantic, Daoist “Poet-Immortal” (诗仙) who wrote about freedom and nature. Du Fu is the realist, Confucian “Sage of Poetry” (诗圣) who wrote about war, suffering, and social duty. Think: Li Bai = Fantasy; Du Fu = Reality.
• Underestimating His Status: Calling Du Fu “a famous Chinese poet” is like calling Shakespeare “a famous English writer.” It's technically true but vastly understates his monumental importance. He is arguably the single most revered poet in a 3,000-year-old literary tradition.
• Mispronunciation: Pay attention to the tones: Dù (4th tone, falling) Fǔ (3rd tone, falling-rising). A common mistake is to pronounce them with flat, toneless sounds.

• 李白 (Lǐ Bái) - Du Fu's friend and contemporary, the “Poet-Immortal,” whose romantic style provides a crucial contrast.
• 唐诗 (Táng shī) - Tang Poetry; the era considered the golden age of Chinese poetry, in which Du Fu was a leading figure.
• 诗圣 (Shīshèng) - “Sage of Poetry,” Du Fu's revered title, linking him to the moral authority of Confucius.
• 安史之乱 (Ān Shǐ zhī Luàn) - The An Lushan Rebellion; the devastating civil war that Du Fu lived through and documented in his poetry.
• 现实主义 (xiànshí zhǔyì) - Realism; the literary school his work best represents.
• 儒家 (Rújiā) - Confucianism; the philosophical tradition that heavily influenced Du Fu's sense of social responsibility and compassion.
• 杜甫草堂 (Dù Fǔ Cǎotáng) - The Du Fu Thatched Cottage; his former home in Chengdu, now a popular museum and park.
• 春望 (Chūn Wàng) - “Spring View”; one of his most famous poems, written while he was a captive in the capital during the rebellion.
• 白居易 (Bái Jūyì) - A later Tang poet who was heavily influenced by Du Fu's commitment to social commentary.