וַֽיְהִ֖י לְשִׁבְעַ֣ת הַיָּמִ֑ים וּמֵ֣י הַמַּבּ֔וּל הָי֖וּ עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃
過了七天，洪水就降在地上。
过了七天，洪水就降在地上。
Guòle qī tiān, hóngshuǐ jiù jiàng zài dìshàng.
After seven days, the floodwaters came upon the earth.
1. Vocabulary Breakdown
| Chinese Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Grammar Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 過了 / 过了 | guòle | After | Verb phrase |
| 七天 | qī tiān | Seven days | Noun phrase |
| 洪水 | hóngshuǐ | Flood | Noun |
| 就 | jiù | Then | Adverb |
| 降 | jiàng | To descend | Verb |
| 在 | zài | On, at | Preposition |
| 地上 | dìshàng | Earth | Noun |
2. Grammar Explanation
- 過了 / 过了 (guòle): Indicates a completed action, translating as “after” or “passed.”
- 就 (jiù): Used to connect actions in sequence, meaning “then” or “immediately after.”
- 降在地上 (jiàng zài dìshàng): The verb “降” (descend) combined with the preposition “在” (on) and the noun “地上” (earth) specifies where the action occurs.
3. Pronunciation Practice
- 過了 / 过了 (guòle): [guò lē] – “Guò” has a falling tone, and “le” is neutral.
- 洪水 (hóngshuǐ): [hóng shuǐ] – “Hóng” has a rising tone, and “shuǐ” has a falling-rising tone.
- 地上 (dìshàng): [dì shàng] – “Dì” has a falling tone, and “shàng” also has a falling tone.
4. Character Learning
Key Characters:
- 洪水 (hóngshuǐ): Refers to the great flood, a central theme in the narrative.
- 地上 (dìshàng): Refers to the earth, emphasizing the universal impact of the floodwaters.
5. Cultural Insights
- The Significance of Seven Days: In many cultures, the number seven is symbolic of completion or divine order, aligning with the preparation period before the flood.
- Flood Narratives in Ancient Cultures: The concept of a great flood appears in various traditions, symbolizing cleansing, judgment, and a new beginning.
6. Mnemonics for Retention
- 洪水 / 洪水 (hóngshuǐ): Associate “洪” (flood) with large-scale water events to remember its meaning.
- 地上 (dìshàng): Visualize water covering the ground to recall “地上” as the earth.
7. Comparative Studies
- Comparison with Hebrew: The Hebrew “וַֽיְהִ֖י לְשִׁבְעַ֣ת הַיָּמִ֑ים” matches “過了七天” in Chinese, both describing a seven-day waiting period before the flood begins.
- Comparison with English: The phrase “After seven days” conveys the same idea, though Chinese uses “過了” to emphasize the passing of time.
8. Application
The seven-day waiting period teaches the value of preparation and patience in facing challenges. It serves as a reminder that significant events often require deliberate and thoughtful readiness. In modern contexts, this can inspire individuals to prioritize careful planning and trust in divine timing during times of uncertainty or transition.
