Translation of the song 之乎者也 artist Lo Da-Yu

知之为知之 在乎不在乎

Knowing it is regarded as knew it. Care about those things that (common people) did not care about.

此人何其者 孔老夫子也

Who is this person? This person is the venerable Master Confucius.1

知之为不知 在在不在乎

Knowing it, (but he regarded it as) not knowing it. Everything, (he) all did not care about them.

此人何其者 寒山子是也

Who is this person? This person is Monk Han Shan.2

不知为知之 不在乎在乎

Not knowing it, but he pretended he knew it. He cared about those things that people did not care.

此人何其者 齐人是也

Who is this person? It is the Qi person.3

很久以前我们的祖先都曾经这么说

Long time ago, our ancestors all once said something like this.

很久以前我们的祖先都曾经这么说

Long time ago, our ancestors all once said something like this.

现在看看我们的青年他们在讲什么

Now, listen to our youth; what are they talking about?

但是要想想到底你要他们怎么做

However, you have to take a look: What on earth do you want them to do?

剪刀等待之 清汤挂面乎

Scissors are waiting it 4; (hair is like) a bowl of clear soup with noodles hanging down on the face.

尊师重道者 莫过如此也

Revere teachers and respect the way, there is nothing more than this.5

风花雪月之 哗啦啦啦乎

Wind, flower, snow and moon; crashing sound and crashing sound;

所谓民歌者 是否如此也

Those so called folk songs, whether or not they all are like this?6

之之之之之

zhi1 zhi1 zhi1 zhi1 zhi1

乎乎乎乎乎

hu1 hu1 hu1 hu1 hu1

者者者者者

zhe3 zhe3 zhe3 zhe3 zhe3

也也也也也

ye3 ye3 ye3 ye3 ye3

很久以前我们的祖先都曾经这么说

Long time ago, our ancestors all once said something like this.

很久以前我们的祖先都曾经这么说

Long time ago, our ancestors all once said something like this.

现在听听我们的青年他们在唱什么

Now, listen to our youth; what are they singing about?

但是要想想到底你要他们怎么做

However, you have to think: What on earth do you want them to do?

眼睛睁一只 嘴巴呼一呼

(Only) open one eye; mouth randomly shouts;

耳朵遮一遮 皆大欢喜也

Cover up ears; everyone all will be happy.

大家都知之 大家都在乎

Everyone all knows it; everyone all cares.

袖手旁观者 你我是也

Those who watch with folded arms7 are — you and me.8