月亮代表我的心

This page was created in order to share one of China’s best-loved songs with a new generation of Chinese learners. The Chinese name, of course, is 月亮代表我的心 (yuèliang dàibiǎo wǒ de xīn).

The song has been a favorite at performances and karaoke parlors alike for years. No study of Chinese culture should bypass this classic, whether you really love it or just find it cheesy.

The word 代表 represents a bit of a translation problem. This verb is typically translated as “represent” or “stands for.” Used with the two nouns “moon” and “heart,” however, it comes out seeming a bit strange in English. Yet the Chinese is not the least bit strange. An appreciation for this song may lead to a better grammatical grasp of Chinese (or an improved understanding of the scope of the verb 代表 at the very least).

The song expresses that words cannot adequately convey the speaker’s love. The moon, a symbol of romance the world over, can.

The video below is Teresa Teng’s rendition of the song, which is considered to be the classic:

The Chinese lyrics are below. Hold the cursor over a line of lyrics to see it in pinyin.

月亮代表我的心

1:

你问我爱你有多深

我爱你有几分

我的情也真

我的爱也真

月亮代表我的心

2:

你问我爱你有多深

我爱你有几分

我的情不移

我的爱不变

月亮代表我的心

3:

轻轻的一个吻

已经打动我的心

深深的一段情

教我思念到如今

4:

你问我爱你有多深

我爱你有几分

你去想一想

你去看一看

月亮代表我的心

Repeat 3

Repeat 4

你去想一想

你去看一看

月亮代表我的心

A video of a Chinese girl’s sweet rendition, sung to acoustic guitar:

The following is the Chinese lyrics in pinyin only.

Yuèliang Dàibiǎo Wǒ de Xīn

1:

nǐ wèn wǒ ài nǐ yǒu duō shēn

wǒ ài nǐ yǒu jǐ fēn

wǒ de qíng yě zhēn

wǒ de ài yě zhēn

yuèliang dàibiǎo wǒ de xīn

2:

nǐ wèn wǒ ài nǐ yǒu duō shēn

wǒ ài nǐ yǒu jǐ fēn

wǒ de qíng bùyí

wǒ de ài bùbiàn

yuèliang dàibiǎo wǒ de xīn

3:

qīngqīng de yīgè wěn

yǐjīng dǎdòng wǒ de xīn

shēnshēn de yīduàn qíng

jiào wǒ sīniàn dào rújīn

4:

nǐ wèn wǒ ài nǐ yǒu duō shēn

wǒ ài nǐ yǒu jǐ fēn

nǐ qù xiǎng yī xiǎng

nǐ qù kàn yī kàn

yuèliang dàibiǎo wǒ de xīn

Repeat 3

Repeat 4

nǐ qù xiǎng yī xiǎng

nǐ qù kàn yī kàn

yuèliang dàibiǎo wǒ de xīn

Andy Lau’s rendition:

This is my own translation, borrowing a bit from convention.

The Moon Represents my Heart

1:

You ask how deeply I love you,

and just how great my love is.

My affection is real,

and my love is true.

The moon represents my heart.

2:

You ask how deeply I love you,

and just how great my love is.

My affection does not waver

and my love doesn’t change.

The moon represents my heart.

3:

So soft was the kiss

that has moved my heart.

Such a deep affection

makes me long for you now.

4:

You ask how deeply I love you,

and just how great my love is.

Consider this,

and look above.

The moon represents my heart.

(Repeat 3)

(Repeat 4)

Consider this,

and look above.

The moon represents my heart.

While I’m at it, here’s a MS Word file of the lyrics in all three forms and a link to the guitar tabs.

MP3s

If the videos above aren’t enough, the following songs will give you even more of a taste of what the song can be like in different versions. Unfortunately, I can no longer offer MP3s of these songs, as it was taking up too much bandwidth. In some cases I have linked to the Baidu.com MP3 search search results, which should help you; in other cases you’ll just have to do your own search if you really want to find the song.

Artist	Photo	MP3	Comments
Qí Qín 齐秦		MP3	My favorite version. It has the best emotion.
Teresa Teng Dèng Lìjūn 邓丽君		MP3	Pure cheese if you ask me, but this is a popular classic version.
Táo Zhé 陶喆		MP3	A modern vocal rendition that’s actually a little different from the rest.
Linda Wong Wáng Xīnpíng 王馨平		MP3	This rendition gets points for its fast pace. The pace ruins the sentiment, however.
Leslie Cheung Zhāng Guóróng 张国荣		MP3	I find this version pretty awful, but this late singer was very popular.
Huáng Hóngyīng 黄红英		MP3	This piano version tries too hard.
Andy Lau Liú Déhuá 刘德华		MP3	This is a live concert recording which might appeal to fans of arguably the most famous male Chinese singer alive. Very good.
Piàobái Yuèduì 漂白乐队		MP3	An amusing attempt to “spice up” the old classic.
“Green Swallow Singers” Qīng Yànzi 青燕子		MP3	This weird version sounds kind of like a chorus of angels is singing it.
“Folk” Version		MP3	Funky traditional instrumental version!