歌剧《图兰朵》中的这段音乐很多人都很熟悉，它就是中国民歌《茉莉花》。

An  aria in the opera “Turandot” may sound familiar to many people, namely the Chinese folk song “Jasmine flowers”.

　　几乎每个国家、每个民族，都会通过口口相传的歌曲来传达情感，这就形成了民歌。中国地域广阔，拥有56个民族，因此，民歌的种类非常丰富。

Almost any country or nation prides itself on passing around its folk songs to convey national sentiments. China, with a large territory and 56 minority nationalities, is extremely rich in folk songs of various types.

　　这是来自北方草原的歌曲《敖包相会》《草原之夜》，它们都是根据当地民歌改编的。歌曲声音高亢，辽阔悠长。

“Rendezvous at Aobao” (a pile of stones, earth or grass used by Mongolians as a road sign or a boundary sign) and “A Night on Grassland”, folk songs of the grassland in the north of China, were adapted from the local herdsmen’s songs noted for their sonorous, resounding and long-drawn-out melodies.

　　这首《在那遥远的地方》、这首《半个月亮爬上来》都是民族音乐家王洛宾根据西部民歌改编的，旋律动人，朗朗上口。

“In a Faraway Place” and “Ascending of the Crescent Moon” are two songs adapted by the folk musician Wang Luobin from folk songs of the western regions, which are known for their touching and mellifluous tunes.

　　山西民歌《走西口》流传的时间很长，它代表了西北地区的民歌形式——信天游。信天游旋律奔放，声音高亢，比如这首比较流行的《山丹丹花开红艳艳》。

“Through the Western Pass”, a Shanxi folk song, has been chanted for a long time, as a typical form of folk music known as “xintianyou” in China’s northwest. Songs of “xintianyou” such as the popular “Red Blossoms of Morningstar Lily” have high-flying and unrestrained melodies.

　　中国南方的民歌与北方风格完全不同，《茉莉花》就属于江浙一带的民歌，这里的民歌大多旋律悠扬，清新流畅，比如这首《紫竹调》，也是经典的江南小调。

Folk songs of the south differ considerably from those of the north. “Jasmine Flowers” is a popular song in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas. Folk songs in these areas are well liked for their fresh, smooth and melodious tunes. The song “Purple Bamboo” is also known for its classic tunes of southern China.

　　中国西南地区的民歌，又是另一种风格，这首《小河淌水》是云南民歌，听起来情深意长，回味无穷。

The folk songs of China’s southwest regions represent another style. “A Trickling Stream”, a folk song of Yunan Province, echoes with strong emotion and deep meaning.