Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few months in China, you’ve probably heard the song “Little Apple” (小苹果 – xiǎo píng guǒ) a million times. The viral hit by the group Chopstick Brothers (筷子兄弟 – kuài zi xiōng dì) seems to be around every corner these days, and it’s definitely one of those dreaded ear worms – a song that you just can’t get out of your head. Originally released as a promotional song for the film “Old Boys: The Way of the Dragon” (老男孩之猛龙过江 – lǎo nán hái zhī měng lóng guò jiāng), the song took off thanks to its catchy lyrics, fun dance moves, and absolutely ridiculous MV (what they call music videos in China). See for yourself…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDyo6IAnbVY
Everyone in China is singing and dancing along to this song, even the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) officers. Don’t believe me? Watch this recruiting video that came out of Xi’an:
It’s no secret that China loves to dance. No matter where you go in the Middle Kingdom, you’re sure to find people boogying down in local parks or squares. Group dances are hugely popular, so it’s no wonder the choreographed moves of “Little Apple” are being practiced by millions around the country.
If you want to join in the fun, though, you’ll have to learn the lyrics and the dance. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered here. Just follow along with these videos and you’ll be groovin’ to 小苹果 in no time:
First of all, listen to the song and follow along with the Chinese characters and pinyin:
Now, stretch out and make some space, because it’s time to dance. Follow this video to learn a sweet dance that’s sure to impress your Chinese friends (or strangers if you just want to break into it on the subway):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqKo9ojz-gk
There’s even an English version of the song now, thanks to Shaun Gibson. Check out his great video featuring the characters of the famous Chinese show “Journey to the West”:
Perhaps best of all, though, is this hilarious video showing Kim Jong Un and Barack Obama busting some serious moves to the hit Chinese song:
Now that you’ve listened to the song about 20 times, you might as well learn the lyrics. Here they are in in three formats:
Chinese Lyrics
我种下一颗种子
终于长出了果实
今天是个伟大日子
摘下星星送给你
拽下月亮送给你
让太阳每天为你升起
变成蜡烛燃烧自己只为照亮你
把我一切都献给你只要你欢喜
你让我每个明天都变得有意义
生命虽短爱你永远，不！离！不！弃！
你是我的小呀小苹果
怎么爱你都不嫌多
红红的小脸儿温暖我的心窝
点亮我生命的火
火火火火火
你是我的小呀小苹果
就像天边最美的云朵
春天又来到了花开满山坡
种下希望就会收获
从不觉得你讨厌
你的一切都喜欢
有你的每天都新鲜
有你阳光更灿烂
有你黑夜不黑暗
你是白云我是蓝天
春天和你漫步在盛开的花丛间
夏天夜晚陪你一起看星星眨眼
秋天黄昏与你徜徉在金色麦田
冬天雪花飞舞有你，更！加！温！暖！
你是我的小呀小苹果
怎么爱你都不嫌多
红红的小脸儿温暖我的心窝
点亮我生命的火
火火火火火
你是我的小呀小苹果
就像天边最美的云朵
春天又来到了花开满山坡
种下希望就会收获
你是我的小呀小苹果
怎么爱你都不嫌多
红红的小脸儿温暖我的心窝
点亮我生命的火
火火火火火
你是我的小呀小苹果
就像天边最美的云朵
春天又来到了花开满山坡
种下希望就会收获
Lyrics in Pinyin
Wǒ zhǒng xià yī kē zhǒngzǐ
zhōngyú zhǎng chūle guǒshí
jīntiān shìgè wěidà rìzi
zhāi xià xīngxīng sòng gěi nǐ
zhuāi xià yuèliàng sòng gěi nǐ
ràng tàiyáng měitiān wèi nǐ shēng qǐ
biàn chéng làzhú ránshāo zìjǐ zhǐ wéi zhào liàng nǐ
bǎ wǒ yīqiè dōu xiàn gěi nǐ zhǐyào nǐ huānxǐ
nǐ ràng wǒ měi gè míngtiān dū biàn dé yǒu yìyì
shēngmìng suī duǎn ài nǐ yǒngyuǎn, bù! Lí! Bù! Qì!
Nǐ shì wǒ de xiǎo ya xiǎo píngguǒ
zěnme ài nǐ dōu bù xián duō
hóng hóng de xiǎo liǎn er wēnnuǎn wǒ de xīnwō
diǎn liàng wǒ shēngmìng de huǒ
huǒ huǒ huǒ huǒ huǒ
nǐ shì wǒ de xiǎo ya xiǎo píngguǒ
jiù xiàng tiānbiān zuìměi de yúnduǒ
chūntiān yòu lái dàole huā kāi mǎn shānpō
zhǒng xià xīwàng jiù huì shōuhuò
cóng bù juédé nǐ tǎoyàn
nǐ de yīqiè dōu xǐhuān
yǒu nǐ de měitiān dū xīnxiān
yǒu nǐ yángguāng gèng cànlàn
yǒu nǐ hēiyè bù hēi’àn
nǐ shì báiyún wǒ shì lántiān
chūntiān hé nǐ mànbù zài shèngkāi de huācóng jiān
xiàtiān yèwǎn péi nǐ yīqǐ kàn xīngxīng zhǎyǎn
qiūtiān huánghūn yǔ nǐ chángyáng zài jīnsè màitián
dōngtiān xuěhuā fēiwǔ yǒu nǐ, gèng! Jiā! Wēn! Nuǎn!
Nǐ shì wǒ de xiǎo ya xiǎo píngguǒ
zěnme ài nǐ dōu bù xián duō
hóng hóng de xiǎo liǎn er wēnnuǎn wǒ de xīnwō
diǎn liàng wǒ shēngmìng de huǒ
huǒ huǒ huǒ huǒ huǒ
nǐ shì wǒ de xiǎo ya xiǎo píngguǒ
jiù xiàng tiānbiān zuìměi de yúnduǒ
chūntiān yòu lái dàole huā kāi mǎn shānpō
zhǒng xià xīwàng jiù huì shōuhuò
nǐ shì wǒ de xiǎo ya xiǎo píngguǒ
zěnme ài nǐ dōu bù xián duō
hóng hóng de xiǎo liǎn er wēnnuǎn wǒ de xīnwō
diǎn liàng wǒ shēngmìng de huǒ
huǒ huǒ huǒ huǒ huǒ
nǐ shì wǒ de xiǎo ya xiǎo píngguǒ
jiù xiàng tiānbiān zuìměi de yúnduǒ
chūntiān yòu lái dàole huā kāi mǎn shānpō
zhǒng xià xīwàng jiù huì shōuhuò
English Translation
I planted a seed
And finally it bore fruit
Today is a great day
To pluck the stars and give them to you
To pull down the moon and give it to you
And let the sun rise for you every day
(I would) turn into a candle and burn myself up
Just to cast light on you
Give everything of myself to you
As long as it made you happy
You make my every tomorrow
Become more meaningful
Although life is brief, my love for you is forever
Never to part, never to let go
You are my little, dear little apple
However I love you, it’s never too much
Small red face warming my heart
Lighting my life’s fire fire fire fire fire
You are my little, dear little apple
Just like the sky’s most beautiful clouds
Spring has come again and blooming flowers cover the hillsides
Planting hope, one is sure to reap reward
I never find you irritating
I like everything about you
Every day with you is fresh
With you, the sunlight is brighter
With you, the nights are not dark
You are the white clouds; I am the blue sky
Spring, strolling with you among the blossoming flowers
Summer, evenings with you watching the stars blink
Autumn, at dusk wandering with you in the golden fields of wheat
Winter, among the swirling snowflakes I am warmer with you there
You are my little dear little apple
However I love you, it’s never too much
Small red face warming my heart
Lighting my life’s fire fire fire fire fire
You are my little dear little apple
Just like the sky’s most beautiful clouds
Spring has come again and blooming flowers cover the hillsides
Planting hope, one is sure to reap reward
