וּמִפְּרִ֣י הָעֵץ֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּתֹוךְ־הַגָּן֒ אָמַ֣ר אֱלֹהִ֗ים לֹ֤א תֹֽאכְלוּ֙ מִמֶּ֔נּוּ וְלֹ֥א תִגְּע֖וּ בֹּ֑ו פֶּן־תְּמֻתֽוּן׃
但園子中那棵樹上的果子，上帝說：『你們不可吃，也不可碰，免得你們死。』
但园子中那棵树上的果子，上帝说：『你们不可吃，也不可碰，免得你们死。』
Dàn yuán zi zhōng nà kē shù shàng de guǒ zi, Shàngdì shuō: ‘Nǐ men bù kě chī, yě bù kě pèng, miǎn dé nǐ men sǐ.’
But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, “You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.”
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 但 | dàn | But | Conjunction |
| 園子 / 园子 | yuán zi | Garden | Noun |
| 中 | zhōng | Middle | Noun |
| 那棵樹 / 那棵树 | nà kē shù | That tree | Noun phrase |
| 果子 | guǒ zi | Fruit | Noun |
| 上帝 | Shàngdì | God | Proper noun |
| 說 / 说 | shuō | To say | Verb |
| 你們 / 你们 | nǐ men | You (plural) | Pronoun |
| 不可 | bù kě | May not | Modal verb |
| 吃 | chī | To eat | Verb |
| 也 | yě | Also | Adverb |
| 碰 | pèng | To touch | Verb |
| 免得 | miǎn dé | Lest | Conjunction |
| 死 | sǐ | To die | Verb |
2. Grammar Explanation
Sentence Structure:
- 但園子中那棵樹上的果子 (Dàn yuán zi zhōng nà kē shù shàng de guǒ zi): Introduces the subject of the prohibition, “the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden.”
- 上帝說 (Shàngdì shuō): Indicates God’s direct speech.
- 你們不可吃，也不可碰 (Nǐ men bù kě chī, yě bù kě pèng): Expresses the prohibition against eating and touching.
- 免得你們死 (Miǎn dé nǐ men sǐ): States the consequence of disobedience, “lest you die.”
Key Grammar Points:
- 但 (dàn): A conjunction meaning “but,” used to contrast or introduce a specific condition.
- 不可 (bù kě): A modal verb meaning “may not” or “must not,” indicating prohibition.
- 免得 (miǎn dé): A conjunction meaning “lest,” introducing a potential negative outcome.
3. Pronunciation Practice
Pinyin: Dàn yuán zi zhōng nà kē shù shàng de guǒ zi, Shàngdì shuō: “Nǐ men bù kě chī, yě bù kě pèng, miǎn dé nǐ men sǐ.”
Tone Practice:
- 但 (dàn): 4th tone (falling)
- 園子 / 园子 (yuán zi): 2nd tone (rising) + neutral tone
- 中 (zhōng): 1st tone (flat)
- 那棵樹 / 那棵树 (nà kē shù): 4th tone (falling) + 1st tone (flat) + 4th tone (falling)
- 果子 (guǒ zi): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + neutral tone
- 上帝 (Shàngdì): 4th tone (falling) + 4th tone (falling)
- 說 / 说 (shuō): 1st tone (flat)
- 你們 / 你们 (nǐ men): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + neutral tone
- 不可 (bù kě): 4th tone (falling) + 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 吃 (chī): 1st tone (flat)
- 也 (yě): 3rd tone (falling-rising)
- 碰 (pèng): 4th tone (falling)
- 免得 (miǎn dé): 3rd tone (falling-rising) + 2nd tone (rising)
- 死 (sǐ): 3rd tone (falling-rising)
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 不可 (bù kě): Represents prohibition, highlighting strict boundaries or rules.
- 碰 (pèng): Means “to touch,” emphasizing physical contact or interaction.
- 免得 (miǎn dé): A conjunction meaning “lest,” often used to express caution or preventative measures.
5. Cultural Insights
- Boundaries in Moral Context: The prohibition reflects the concept of divine authority and boundaries, a theme resonating with Confucian ideals of proper behavior and respect for hierarchical order.
- Consequences and Fear: The warning about death illustrates the weight of consequences, which aligns with the Chinese cultural emphasis on forethought and caution to prevent missteps.
- Symbolism of Touch: In Chinese culture, “touching” can metaphorically mean transgressing boundaries or challenging authority, adding depth to the prohibition here.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 不可 (bù kě): Imagine a red “no entry” sign to symbolize prohibition.
- 碰 (pèng): Visualize someone reaching out but being stopped before touching a glowing object.
- 免得 (miǎn dé): Picture a person stepping back cautiously to avoid danger or a warning sign.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew:
- וּמִפְּרִ֣י הָעֵץ֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּתֹוךְ־הַגָּן (UmiPri HaEtz Asher BeToch HaGan): → 但園子中那棵樹上的果子 (Dàn yuán zi zhōng nà kē shù shàng de guǒ zi): Both describe the fruit of the tree in the center of the garden.
- לֹ֤א תֹֽאכְלוּ֙ מִמֶּ֔נּוּ וְלֹ֥א תִגְּע֖וּ בֹּ֑ו (Lo Tochlu Mimenu VeLo Tig’u Bo): → 你們不可吃，也不可碰 (Nǐ men bù kě chī, yě bù kě pèng): Both express the prohibitions against eating or touching the fruit.
- פֶּן־תְּמֻתֽוּן (Pen Temutun): → 免得你們死 (Miǎn dé nǐ men sǐ): Both warn of death as a consequence of disobedience.
- Comparison with English:
- “But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden” matches 但園子中那棵樹上的果子 (Dàn yuán zi zhōng nà kē shù shàng de guǒ zi): Both specify the subject of the prohibition.
- “God said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it’ corresponds to 上帝說：『你們不可吃，也不可碰』 (Shàngdì shuō: ‘Nǐ men bù kě chī, yě bù kě pèng’): Both articulate the divine prohibition.
- “Lest you die” aligns with 免得你們死 (Miǎn dé nǐ men sǐ): Both express the potential consequence of disobedience.
- Comparison with Chinese Cultural Concepts:
- Respect for Rules: The prohibition mirrors Confucian principles of adhering to rules and respecting authority.
- Fear of Consequences: The emphasis on avoiding death resonates with the Chinese focus on prudence and foresight in decision-making.
