- 元和天子yuán hé tiān zǐ
- yuán hé tiān zǐ: Emperor Xianzong of Tang. Yuanhe (806–820) was the name of his reign.元和天子：唐宪宗。元和是他的年号（806—820）。
- 神武姿shén wǔ zī
- shén wǔ zī: a look as wise and brave as a god.神武姿：像神一样英明勇武的样子。
- 彼何人哉bǐ hé rén zāi
- bǐ hé rén zāi: what kind of men were they? Meaning Xianzong could stand beside them.彼何人哉：他们是什么样的人呢？意思是宪宗可以和他们相比。
- 轩与羲xuān yǔ xī
- xuān yǔ xī: Xuanyuan (the Yellow Emperor) and Fuxi, wise rulers of legend.轩与羲：轩辕（黄帝）和伏羲，传说中上古的圣明帝王。
- 上雪列圣耻shàng xuě liè shèng chǐ
- shàng xuě liè shèng chǐ: to wipe away the shame left by the emperors before him. Xuě, "snow", here means to wash clean.上雪列圣耻：洗刷前面几代皇帝留下的耻辱。雪，洗掉。列圣，历代先帝。
- 法宫fǎ gōng
- fǎ gōng: the main hall where the emperor ran the government.法宫：皇帝处理朝政的正殿。
- 朝四夷cháo sì yí
- cháo sì yí: to have peoples from every side come and bow to him.朝四夷：让四方各族都来朝拜。
- 淮西huái xī
- huái xī: the Huaixi region, in today's southeast Henan. Its warlords refused the court's orders for many years.淮西：唐代的淮西镇，在今天河南东南部一带，那里的军阀长期不听朝廷的命令。
- 有贼五十载yǒu zéi wǔ shí zǎi
- yǒu zéi wǔ shí zǎi: rebels had held it for about fifty years.有贼五十载：叛贼占据了五十年左右。
- 封狼生䝙䝙生罴fēng láng shēng chū chū shēng pí
- fēng láng shēng chū chū shēng pí: the great wolf gave birth to a chu, and the chu to a bear. Chu and pí are fierce beasts. It means the rebel leaders followed one after another, each fiercer than the last.封狼生䝙䝙生罴：大狼生出䝙，䝙又生出罴。封狼，大狼。䝙、罴，都是猛兽。比喻淮西的叛将一代接一代，越来越凶。
- 不据山河据平地bú jù shān hé jù píng dì
- bù jù shān hé jù píng dì: they did not hold mountains and rivers for defense, but took over the open plain.不据山河据平地：不是靠着高山大河的险要，而是在平原上占地称霸。
- 长戈利矛cháng gē lì máo
- cháng gē lì máo: long dagger-axes and sharp spears, old weapons.长戈利矛：长长的戈，锋利的矛，都是古代兵器。
- 日可麾rì kě huī
- rì kě huī: in an old story, a warrior waved his dagger-axe and the setting sun moved back. Here it means the rebels were so proud they thought they could do anything. Huī means to wave.日可麾：传说古时有人打仗时挥动戈，让快落山的太阳退了回来。这里说叛军很狂妄，以为什么都能做到。麾，挥。
- 圣相shèng xiàng
- shèng xiàng: a wise chief minister.圣相：贤明的宰相。
- 相曰度xiàng yuē dù
- xiàng yuē dù: the minister was named Pei Du.相曰度：这个宰相名叫裴度。
- 贼斫不死zéi zhuó bù sǐ
- zéi zhuó bù sǐ: in 815 assassins killed the chief minister Wu Yuanheng. Pei Du was also cut, but he did not die. Zhuó means to cut with a blade.贼斫不死：元和十年，刺客刺杀宰相武元衡，裴度也被砍伤，却没有死。斫，砍。
- 神扶持shén fú chí
- shén fú chí: as if a god were protecting him.神扶持：好像有神在保佑他。
- 腰悬相印yāo xuán xiàng yìn
- yāo xuán xiàng yìn: with the chief minister's seal hanging at his waist.腰悬相印：腰上挂着宰相的大印。
- 都统dū tǒng
- dū tǒng: commander-in-chief over all the armies.都统：统率各路军队的总指挥。
- 阴风惨澹yīn fēng cǎn dàn
- yīn fēng cǎn dàn: a cold wind under a gloomy sky.阴风惨澹：冷风吹着，天色阴沉。
- 天王旗tiān wáng qí
- tiān wáng qí: the banner of the emperor's army.天王旗：皇帝军队的大旗。
- 愬武古通sù wǔ gǔ tōng
- sù wǔ gǔ tōng: four generals: Li Su, Han Gongwu, Li Daogu and Li Wentong.愬武古通：四位将领：李愬、韩公武、李道古、李文通。
- 牙爪yá zhǎo
- yá zhǎo: teeth and claws, that is, strong fighting officers. Here it is praise.牙爪：爪牙，就是得力的武将。这里是夸奖的话，说他们勇猛能干。
- 仪曹外郎yí cáo wài láng
- yí cáo wài láng: an official in the Ministry of Rites, here Li Zongmin.仪曹外郎：礼部员外郎，一种官名，这里指李宗闵。
- 载笔随zài bǐ suí
- zài bǐ suí: going along with the army, brush in hand, to write its papers.载笔随：带着笔跟随军队，负责写文书。
- 行军司马xíng jūn sī mǎ
- xíng jūn sī mǎ: a senior staff officer of the army, here Han Yu.行军司马：军中的高级参谋官，这里指韩愈。
- 虎貔hǔ pí
- hǔ pí: tigers and pí, fierce beasts, standing for brave soldiers.虎貔：老虎和貔，都是猛兽，比喻勇猛的士兵。
- 入蔡缚贼rù cài fù zéi
- rù cài fù zéi: breaking into Caizhou and tying up the rebel leader Wu Yuanji. Caizhou was the main city of Huaixi.入蔡缚贼：攻进蔡州城，把叛军首领吴元济绑了起来。蔡，蔡州，淮西的中心城市。
- 献太庙xiàn tài miào
- xiàn tài miào: presenting the captive at the Great Temple, where the emperor honored his ancestors.献太庙：把俘虏献到太庙。太庙，皇帝祭祀祖先的地方。
- 功无与让gōng wú yǔ ràng
- gōng wú yǔ ràng: the deed was so great no one could match it, so there was no one to yield to.功无与让：功劳大，没有人比得上，用不着推让。
- 恩不訾ēn bù zī
- ēn bù zī: the emperor's rewards were beyond counting. Zī means to count.恩不訾：皇帝给的赏赐多得数不清。訾，计算。
- 汝度rǔ dù
- rǔ dù: you, Pei Du. Rǔ means "you".汝度：你裴度。汝，你。
- 从事愈cóng shì yù
- cóng shì yù: Han Yu, your officer. Cóng shì means a staff officer under someone.从事愈：你的部下韩愈。从事，下属官员。
- 宜为辞yí wéi cí
- yí wéi cí: should write the words. Cí here means the text for the stele.宜为辞：应该来写碑文。辞，文章，这里指碑文。
- 拜稽首bài qǐ shǒu
- bài qǐ shǒu: kneeling and bowing with the head to the ground.拜稽首：跪下磕头行大礼。
- 蹈且舞dǎo qiě wǔ
- dǎo qiě wǔ: stepping and dancing, an old way for an official to show thanks and joy before the emperor.蹈且舞：又跳又舞，古代臣子向皇帝表示感谢和高兴的一种礼节。
- 金石刻画jīn shí kè huà
- jīn shí kè huà: writing carved on bronze and stone.金石刻画：刻在铜器、石碑上的文字。
- 大手笔dà shǒu bǐ
- dà shǒu bǐ: a great writer trusted with the most important texts.大手笔：写重要文章的大作家。
- 不系于职司bú xì yú zhí sī
- bù xì yú zhí sī: does not depend on what post he holds.不系于职司：不看他担任什么职务。系，关系。职司，职务。
- 当仁dāng rén
- dāng rén zì gǔ yǒu bù ràng: when it is right to act, one has never stepped aside. It comes from the Analects: "When it comes to doing good, do not yield even to your teacher."当仁自古有不让：遇到该做的事，自古以来就不推让。出自《论语》“当仁，不让于师”。
- 言讫yán qì
- yán qì: having finished speaking.言讫：说完。讫，完毕。
- 屡颔lǚ hàn
- lǚ hàn tiān zǐ yí: the emperor nodded again and again. Hàn means to nod; yí is the chin.屡颔天子颐：皇帝一次次点头。颔，点头。颐，下巴。
- 公gōng
- gōng: Han Yu, a polite way to name him.公：指韩愈，是尊称。
- 斋戒zhāi jiè
- zhāi jiè: bathing, changing clothes, and giving up wine and meat to make body and mind clean, to show respect.斋戒：洗澡、换衣、不喝酒吃肉，让身心干净，表示郑重。
- 濡染大笔rú rǎn dà bǐ
- rú rǎn dà bǐ: soaking a big brush in ink. Rú means to wet.濡染大笔：把大笔蘸饱墨汁。濡，沾湿。
- 何淋漓hé lín lí
- hé lín lí: how rich and flowing! Lín lí means dripping with ink, and also writing freely and boldly.何淋漓：多么痛快、饱满啊！淋漓，墨汁饱满，也比喻写得酣畅。
- 点窜diǎn cuàn
- diǎn cuàn: to touch up and change words.点窜：修改字句。
- 尧典舜典yáo diǎn shùn diǎn
- yáo diǎn, shùn diǎn: two chapters of the Book of Documents about the ancient rulers Yao and Shun, among the oldest and most solemn writings.尧典、舜典：《尚书》里的两篇，记尧、舜的事，是最古老庄重的文章。
- 清庙生民qīng miào shēng mín
- qīng miào, shēng mín: two poems in the Book of Songs that praise ancestors and their deeds. The two lines mean Han Yu learned from and reshaped the oldest classics.清庙、生民：《诗经》里的两篇，用来歌颂祖先和功德。两句说韩愈学习、化用了最古老的经典文章。
- 破体pò tǐ
- pò tǐ: a style that breaks the usual rules, meaning Han Yu did not follow the fashion of the day. Another view says it refers to the style of the handwriting.破体：打破常规的写法，指韩愈的碑文不按当时流行的格式写。一说指书法上的字体。
- 丹墀dān chí
- dān chí: the red-painted steps before the palace hall, standing for the court.丹墀：宫殿前涂成红色的台阶，代指朝廷。
- 表biǎo
- biǎo: a formal letter from an official to the emperor.表：臣子给皇帝的一种奏章。
- 昧死上mèi sǐ shàng
- mèi sǐ shàng: "I present this at the risk of death", a set phrase of respect used when writing to the emperor.昧死上：冒着死罪呈上。这是古代给皇帝上书时表示恭敬的套话。
- 咏神圣功yǒng shén shèng gōng
- yǒng shén shèng gōng: praising the emperor's great deeds. Shén shèng here means the emperor.咏神圣功：歌颂皇帝的伟大功业。神圣，指皇帝。
- 三丈sān zhàng
- sān zhàng: about ten meters. Zhàng is an old unit of length.三丈：约十米。丈，长度单位。
- 字如斗zì rú dǒu
- zì rú dǒu: each character as big as a grain bucket. Dǒu is a measure for rice.字如斗：每个字有斗那么大。斗，量米的器具。
- 负以灵鳌fù yǐ líng áo
- fù yǐ líng áo: carried on the back of a stone turtle. Áo is a giant turtle of legend.负以灵鳌：碑下面用石刻的神龟驮着。鳌，传说中的大海龟。
- 蟠以螭pán yǐ chī
- pán yǐ chī: with chi coiled on top. Chī is a hornless dragon of legend.蟠以螭：碑顶刻着盘绕的螭。螭，传说中没有角的龙。
- 句奇语重jù qí yǔ zhòng
- jù qí yǔ zhòng: sentences that are unusual, words that are weighty.句奇语重：句子奇特，用语庄重。
- 喻者少yù zhě shǎo
- yù zhě shǎo: few people understood it. Yù means to understand.喻者少：能看懂的人很少。喻，明白。
- 谗之天子chán zhī tiān zǐ
- chán zhī tiān zǐ: speaking ill of it to the emperor. Chán means to slander.谗之天子：在皇帝面前说坏话。谗，说别人坏话。
- 言其私yán qí sī
- yán qí sī: saying it was unfair, playing favorites. Sī here means bias.言其私：说碑文偏心，不公平。私，偏私。
- 拽碑倒zhuài bēi dǎo
- zhuài bēi dǎo: dragging the stele down. Zhuài means to pull.拽碑倒：把碑拉倒。拽，拉。
- 相磨治xiāng mó zhì
- xiāng mó zhì: grinding the words off the stone.相磨治：把碑上的字磨掉。治，处理。
- 斯文sī wén
- sī wén: this piece of writing. Sī means "this".斯文：这篇文章。斯，这。
- 元气yuán qì
- yuán qì: the first, basic energy of heaven and earth, which everything grows from.元气：天地间最根本的气，万物都靠它生长。
- 先时xiān shí
- xiān shí: before the stele was ground down.先时：在碑被磨掉之前。
- 入人肝脾rù rén gān pí
- rù rén gān pí: entered people's livers and spleens, that is, sank deep into their hearts.入人肝脾：深深地印在人们心里。肝脾，代指内心。
- 汤盘tāng pán
- tāng pán: the washbasin of King Tang of Shang, carved with "If you can renew yourself one day, renew yourself every day".汤盘：商汤洗澡用的盘，上面刻着“苟日新，日日新，又日新”。
- 孔鼎kǒng dǐng
- kǒng dǐng: the bronze cauldron of Zheng Kaofu, an ancestor of Confucius, carved with words.孔鼎：孔子祖先正考父的鼎，上面刻着铭文。
- 述作shù zuò
- shù zuò: writings, here the words carved on them.述作：刻在上面的文字。
- 今无其器存其辞jīn wú qí qì cún qí cí
- jīn wú qí qì cún qí cí: the objects are gone now, but their words live on.今无其器存其辞：现在那些器物都没有了，可上面的文字还流传着。
- 呜呼wū hū
- wū hū: oh, alas, a cry of strong feeling.呜呼：唉，感叹声。
- 圣皇shèng huáng
- shèng huáng: the wise emperor, Xianzong.圣皇：圣明的皇帝，指唐宪宗。
- 相与xiāng yǔ
- xiāng yǔ: together.相与：一起。
- 烜赫xuǎn hè
- xuǎn hè: shining, glorious.烜赫：声名显赫，非常光彩。
- 流淳熙liú chún xī
- liú chún xī: leaving behind a pure and bright influence.流淳熙：留下美好、光明的影响。淳，纯厚。熙，光明。
- 不示后bú shì hòu
- bù shì hòu: is not shown to later people.不示后：不能给后人看到。
- 曷hé
- hé: how.曷：怎么。
- 三五sān wǔ
- sān wǔ: the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, wise rulers of legend.三五：三皇五帝，传说中上古的圣明君主。
- 相攀追xiāng pān zhuī
- xiāng pān zhuī: to catch up with them and stand beside them.相攀追：赶上、和他们并列。
- 愿书万本yuàn shū wàn běn
- yuàn shū wàn běn: I wish to copy it ten thousand times.愿书万本：希望把它抄写一万份。
- 诵万过sòng wàn guò
- sòng wàn guò: to read it aloud ten thousand times. Guò means "times".诵万过：读一万遍。过，遍。
- 口角流沫kǒu jiǎo liú mò
- kǒu jiǎo liú mò: reading until foam comes from the corners of my mouth.口角流沫：读得嘴角都起了白沫。
- 右手胝yòu shǒu zhī
- yòu shǒu zhī: copying until my right hand grows calluses. Zhī is a callus.右手胝：抄得右手都磨出了老茧。胝，老茧。
- 七十有二代qī shí yòu èr dài
- qī shí yòu èr dài: seventy-two generations. Legend says seventy-two ancient rulers went to Mount Tai for the grand rites. Here it means generation after generation.七十有二代：七十二代。传说古代到泰山祭天地的帝王有七十二位，这里指很多很多代。
- 封禅fēng shàn
- fēng shàn: the grand rite at Mount Tai to Heaven and Earth, held only by rulers with the greatest deeds.封禅：帝王到泰山祭天祭地的隆重大典，只有功业最大的帝王才能举行。
- 玉检yù jiǎn
- yù jiǎn: jade covers used to seal the writings offered at the grand rite.玉检：封禅时用来封存文书的玉片。
- 明堂基míng táng jī
- míng táng jī: the foundation stone of the Bright Hall, where emperors held their grandest ceremonies.明堂基：明堂的基石。明堂，帝王举行最隆重典礼的地方。