人生不相見，動如參與商。

Bosom friends seldom see each other, almost like two remote stars that never meet.

今夕復何夕，共此燈燭光！

How fortunate we meet at this very evening, sharing the same lamplight.

少壯能幾時？鬢發各已蒼！

How long the younger days we have been?  Now gray hairs have silently crept onto our temples

訪舊半為鬼，驚呼熱中腸。

When hearing half of our old acquaintances are gone, you shock while my heart trembles.

焉知二十載，重上君子堂。

I have never thought we could meet again, after a span of twenty years long.

昔別君未婚，兒女忽成行。

You had yet to marry when we last parted, but now you have many children of your own.

怡然敬父執，問我來何方？

They all respect me like an uncle, warmly asking me where am I from?

問答未及已，驅兒羅酒漿。

Barely waiting for my answering all questions, you order them to prepare winde and repast,

夜雨剪春韭，新炊間黃粱。

with the fresh spring garlic chives cut amid evening rain, and the newly-cooked, appetizing millet.

主稱會面難，一舉累十觴。

You, as the host, toast this meeting that is very hard to come by, drinking up ten cups in a row. 

十觴亦不醉，感子故意長。

Ten cups does not make you drunk, and I do appreciate this warm-hearted, time-honored friendship between you and me.

明日隔山岳，世事兩茫茫。

the mountains will separate us again, by sunrise tomorrow we shall not know what the world is going to be.