格律 (gé lǜ) — metrical and tonal rules for classical Chinese poetry; versification

Definition

The metrical and tonal rules that govern classical Chinese poetry (e.g. Tang regulated verse 宋词). A technical term for versification — not everyday vocabulary.

noun
metrical and tonal rules for classical Chinese poetryversification

Examples

  • 格律。
    Xué xí gǔ diǎn shī gē shǒu xiān yào zhǎng wò gé lǜ.
    To study classical poetry, you must first master the metrical rules.
  • 格律，。
    Zhè shǒu shī yán gé zūn xún le gé lǜ, dú qǐ lái hěn yǒu jié zòu gǎn.
    This poem strictly follows the versification rules, giving it a strong rhythmic feel.
  • 格律。
    Yǒu xiē xiàn dài shī rén cháng shì tū pò chuán tǒng gé lǜ de shù fù.
    Some modern poets try to break free from the constraints of traditional metrical rules.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

格gépattern
律lǜrule

格 and 律 both concern pattern and rule, together naming the formal rules of classical poetry.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mùwood
Sound part声符shēngfú
各
各gè格gé
Same sound today

格 is built from 木 (wood) on the left and 各 on the right, which gives the sound.

Open 格 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
彳彳chì
Sound part声符shēngfú
聿
聿yù律lǜ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

律 puts 彳 beside 聿: 彳 is the part tied to the meaning, and 聿 is the part tied to the sound.

Open 律 →

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