X
我兒子睡覺了
我花兒困覺了
我花兒把卜了
我花兒是個乖兒子
我花兒是個哄人精
NOTES
These words are repeated by mothers near the cradles of their sons to get them asleep. The phrase 把卜了 pa4 pu3 la, is rather difficult to explain, because the Chinese themselves cannot give it a meaning. However, after many enquiries I see that people are generally of opinion that this phrase has the meaning of being drowsy, being asleep. 乖兒子 kuai1 eur2 tzŭ, an obedient boy, meaning derived from the above mentioned phrase 乖乖 kuai1 kuai1, "be quiet!" 哄人的精 hung3 jen2 ti ching1, the word hung3 which means commonly to deceive, but its original meaning is to cajole, to flatter, to charm. The word ching1 means essence, semen; the whole phrase could be translated: the essence, the flower of those who charm people.
TRANSLATION
My flower is sleeping ― my flower has fallen asleep ― my flower is resting ― my flower is a quiet son ― my flower is the flower of those who charm people.