How could the wind know the grass?

 20250406

How could the wind know the grass?

      疾風知勁草   板蕩識忠臣

 It is extremely difficult to translate it into English.

 Below is two versions from two AI translate machines.

Both of them could not find a proper word to express the idea of "知", or "識".

知 is more than  "Knowing" or "Reveiling".

It could be appreciation plus admire and more.

 It is common in Chinese language.  One word can express many meanings.  

 And the word can bring in more imaginations than the actual meaning.

 It is more than language.   It is a thinking pattern of the Chinese culture.  

 It is special although you do not say it is superior.

 It is a multi-objective bullet;  can hit different points in the object.

 But it is more than a bullet.  It is the taste-bud of your tongue.  It can link up your emotions elsewhere.

And the term 勁草 is also difficult.

 Strong wind can pull down big trees, but not a blade of standing grass......its more than "resilient" or "sturdy". 

No one can know the real power in a blade of grass.  Its more powerful than a big tree.  No one knows, but the wind knows.  The wind had tried the grass.  She admires the grass, and she considers the grass her life time true friend (知己).

 And this is Chinese culture.

xxxxxxx    xxxxxxx   xxxxxxx

First AI  translator:

Adversity reveals strength; turmoil tests loyalty.  

(This translation maintains the essence of the original proverb while conveying its meaning idiomatically in English. The first part, "疾風知勁草," metaphorically suggests that strong winds (adversity) expose resilient grass (inner strength), and the second part, "板蕩識忠臣," implies that chaotic times (turmoil) reveal who is truly loyal.)

Second AI translator:

The phrase "疾風知勁草，板蕩識忠臣" can be translated to English as "A strong wind reveals sturdy grass, and tumult distinguishes loyal ministers."

This expression conveys the idea that true character is revealed in times of adversity.