陶陶

陶陶

1. (literary) harmonious and joyous appearance

   • 清人在軸、
     駟介陶陶、
     左旋右抽、
     中軍作好。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     清人在轴、
     驷介陶陶、
     左旋右抽、
     中军作好。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11^th – 7^th centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

     Qīngrén zài Zhóu,
     Sìjiè táotáo,
     Zuǒ xuán yòu chōu,
     Zhōng jūn zuòhǎo. [Pinyin]

     The men of Qing were at Zhou;
     The armoured horse-quartet jaunted with joy;
     On the left, [the driver] steered; on the right [the guard] [his weapon] drew;
     In the center, the army['s general] contentment shewed.

2. (literary) long-lasting

   • 冬夜兮陶陶，雨雪兮冥冥。 [Classical Chinese, trad. and simp.]

     From: The Verses of Chu, 4^th century BCE – 2^nd century CE

     Dōngyè xī táotáo, yǔxuě xī míngmíng. [Pinyin]

     Long-lasting is the winter's night; Dark and gloomy are the rain and snow.

3. (literary) yang qi thriving; ebullient; energetic

   • 陶陶孟夏兮，草木莽莽。 [Classical Chinese, trad. and simp.]

     From: The Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian, c. 91 BCE

     Táotáo mèngxià xī, cǎomù mǎngmǎng. [Pinyin]

     Ebullient is summer's first month; trees and grasses grow thick and dense.