诗中所咏的是旅居卫国的宋人，因受某种阻挠，思归不能，面对河水，反复唱叹。

水在该诗当中是一种阻隔的意象，主人公踯躅河边，故国近在对岸，但却不能渡过河去，内心焦急，长期积压胸头的忧思如同排空而来的浪涌，诗句夺口而出，向上天发问以宣泄心中的不平。

河面并不宽广，一根芦苇就可以渡到对岸，故国并不遥远，踮起脚就可以望得到，夸张的修辞手法更加突出了客子思归而不得的焦急心情。

诗经卫风何广　谁谓何广？

一苇杭之。

谁谓宋远？

跂予望之。

谁谓河广？

曾不容刀。

谁谓宋远？

曾不崇朝。

Ho KwangWho says that the Ho is wide?

With (a bundle of) reeds I can cross it.

Who says that Sung is distant?

On tiptoe I can see it.

Who says that the Ho is wide?

It will not admit a little boat.

Who says that Sung is distant?

It would not take a whole morning to reach it.

【双语诗歌翻译|诗经·卫风·何广　查看网站：[db:时间]】