Mewmew's Song Translation Thread

[mewmew]

Hi all,

Like many of you I love Chinese music. However, I've found that I am frequently unable to understand the lyrics fully (my primary dialect is Cantonese so I guess that would partially explain why it is more difficult). Quite often, I find myself able to translate bits and pieces and sometimes able to get the general feel for a song. Hopefully this little exercise will help me improve on that. I'll try to translate a song a week, but we'll see how well I keep at it. Any comments and encouragement as well as help are of course always appreciated. So here we go...

Week One

Song: 明天以後

Artist(s): 林峰 & 泳兒

Okay, first the lyrics in Chinese:

泳：曾流行情歌雖則都繼續播

　　可惜今天無緣一起高歌　一趟

　　唱沒結果　再合唱亦沒結果

峰：明明從前是我傻　求求你姑息我

　　填詞人替我寫出的痛楚

　　期望你開口唱吧　合唱歌哪可得我

泳：當初你拋開我（峰：我獨唱一次認錯）

泳：你為何麻木地高歌（峰：唱下去不理為何）

合：消失的激情　還要熱播

　　誰人仍然是你記住的一個

泳：失去的　戀愛難以勉強

峰：開一句聲　聽著情歌總可滿足一秒遐想

　　　　　　　　　　（女：滿足一秒遐想）

峰：日後留戀你的聲線

泳：恐怕未放下明日也不堪設想

　　　　　（峰：而我不堪設想）

合：一千句　親愛的　恐怕時間到了無緣又遇上

峰：我亦無辦法得到見諒

泳：忘掉我聲音以後別惆悵

　（峰：沉默一刻我在惆悵）

合：始終無法合唱

峰：祈求回頭亦太難　如何唱多一晚

　　無人饒恕　我比悲歌更慘

泳：其實你分手以後　這一天已經心淡

峰：當初你　拋開我　我獨唱一次認錯

泳：你為何麻木地高歌

合：消失的激情還要熱播

　　誰人仍然是你記住的一個

泳：失去的　戀愛難以勉強

峰：開一句聲　聽著情歌總可滿足一秒遐想

　　　　　　　　　　（女：滿足一秒遐想）

峰：日後留戀你的聲線

泳：恐怕未放下明日也不堪設想

　　　　　（峰：而我不堪設想）

合：一千句　親愛的　恐怕時間到了無緣又遇上

峰：我亦無辦法得到見諒

泳：忘掉我聲音以後別惆悵

　（峰：沉默一刻我在惆悵）

合：始終無法合唱

泳：你要試著放低我

峰：我怕我以後還是唱沒結果

　　　　　　（泳：已是結果）

合：以後得一個

泳：失去的　戀愛難以勉強

峰：開一句聲　聽著情歌總可滿足一秒遐想

　　　　　　　　　　（女：滿足一秒遐想）

峰：日後留戀你的聲線

泳：恐怕未放下明日也不堪設想

　　　　　（峰：而我不堪設想）

合：一千句　親愛的　恐怕時間到了無緣又遇上

峰：我亦無辦法得到見諒

泳：忘掉我聲音以後別惆悵

　（峰：沉默一刻我在惆悵）

合：始終無法合唱

Now, (deep breath) my translation:

V: Although a love song becomes popular, it still continues to be broadcast

Pitifully, today we have no opportunity to sing together...one time

Singing has no purpose, duets also have no purpose

F: Clearly I was foolish before. Begging you to indulge me.

The lyricist subs as my anguish written out.

Hopefully you'll start to sing. A duet that suits me.

V: When you originally left me ( F: I've admitted wrong in a solo )

V: You numbly sang aloud ( F: Not caring how it was sung )

V+F: Faded emotions that still need to be urgently aired

Who is still the one that you remembered?

V: Total loss, love is difficult to manage

F: Start a verse, listening to love songs always satisfies a second of dreaming

( V: satisfies a second of dreaming )

F: Someday recalling fondly the sound of your voice.

V: Afraid perhaps that having not let go, tomorrow will also be difficult to endure the thought of it.

( F: and I can't endure the thought of it )

V+F: A thousand verses. My dear, fearing perhaps that when the moment arrives, there will be no opportunity to meet again.

F: I also have no way of getting forgiveness

V: After forgetting my voice, don't be upset

( F: A moment's silence makes me upset )

V+F: Finally no longer able to sing together.

F: Praying to go back to the way it was before is too difficult. How to sing another night?

Nobody forgives. I am more wretched than a sad song.

V: Really, after you broke up, your heart already paled on this day.

F: When you originally left me, I admitted wrong in a solo

V: You numbly sang aloud

V+F: Faded emotions that still need to be urgently aired

Who is still the one that you remembered?

V: Total loss, love is difficult to manage

F: Start a verse, listening to love songs always satisfies a second of dreaming

( V: satisfies a second of dreaming )

F: Someday recalling fondly the sound of your voice.

V: Afraid perhaps that having not let go, tomorrow will also be difficult to endure the thought of it.

( F: and I can't endure the thought of it )

V+F: A thousand verses. My dear, fearing perhaps that when the moment arrives, there will be no opportunity to meet again.

F: I also have no way of getting forgiveness

V: After forgetting my voice, don't be upset

( F: A moment's silence makes me upset )

V+F: Finally no longer able to sing together.

V: You must try to let me go

F: I'm afraid that afterwards singing will still have no purpose

( V: there already is a purpose )

V+F: Only one from now on.

V: Total loss, love is difficult to manage

F: Start a verse, listening to love songs always satisfies a second of dreaming

( V: satisfies a second of dreaming )

F: Someday recalling fondly the sound of your voice.

V: Afraid perhaps that having not let go, tomorrow will also be difficult to endure the thought of it.

( F: and I can't endure the thought of it )

V+F: A thousand verses. My dear, fearing perhaps that when the moment arrives, there will be no opportunity to meet again.

F: I also have no way of getting forgiveness

V: After forgetting my voice, don't be upset

( F: A moment's silence makes me upset )

V+F: Finally no longer able to sing together.

[zchenyu]

It would be easier for us to critique if you put the original and translated lines next to each other ;)

Something like:

泳：曾流行情歌雖則都繼續播

　　可惜今天無緣一起高歌　一趟

　　唱沒結果　再合唱亦沒結果

V: Although a love song becomes popular, it still continues to be broadcast

Pitifully, today we have no opportunity to sing together...one time

Singing has no purpose, duets also have no purpose

峰：明明從前是我傻　求求你姑息我

　　填詞人替我寫出的痛楚

　　期望你開口唱吧　合唱歌哪可得我

F: Clearly I was foolish before. Begging you to indulge me.

The lyricist subs as my anguish written out.

Hopefully you'll start to sing. A duet that suits me.

etc.

[mewmew]

Good point. Problem is, it's actually more easier for me to translate this way. I can more easily see how one verse leads into the next without the Chinese interleaved with the English. Plus after I'm done, I can see my translation in its entirety which also gives me a sense of accomplishment :-). What would really be nice is if I can put them side-by-side. That would get the best of both worlds, but I'm not sure how to do that. Oh well, I might just switch to the interleave approach for my next attempt just to try it out.

[mewmew]

I just found out that it's actually quite a simple operation for me to copy and paste the entire lyrics side-by-side using a spreadsheet program. They actually line-up quite nicely and also my original indentations are retained. I'll save the file into html and attach it as a plain text file so that you can see what I mean. Check it out. If this makes it easier to critique, I'll do this with all my translations from here on out.

week1.txt

[mewmew]

Very busy this week, but better late than never

Week Two

Song: 借 (Borrow)

Artist(s): 鄭融

傳聞說你正與她吵架不見面了

傳聞說你仍留下共她所有合照

上分鐘 上一秒 你說心不再困擾

下分鐘 下一秒 你眼睛通紅似發燒

為何每個禮拜消遣都總約定了

誰人個唱那裡自助餐都已訂票

是開始 又不對 對你所知道太少

是知己 亦不對 你太好的人緣 知己哪會缺少

@如果你習慣 有備無患 只怕獨個晚餐

　才想到讓我借用時間 借用完沒法還

　如果破掉燈泡借燭光用一晚 是你是你大貪

　大貪畢竟攪錯我是哪種人 接吻就能合眼

明明每次你說她喜歡加上盛讚

明明每次留神望電話都看十眼

是專心 又不對 你眼光總愛轉彎

是分心 亦不對 變了這種閒人 比不去愛更慘

如果你習慣 有備無患 只怕獨個晚餐

才想到讓我借用時間 借用完沒法還

如果破掉燈泡借燭光用一晚 是你是你大貪

大貪畢竟攪錯我是哪種人

Repeat @

有雨沒提像傘

Rumor has it, that you wouldn't meet anymore after fighting with her

Rumor has it, you still keep pictures of the two of you

Last minute...last second. You said your heart was no longer burdened

Next minute...next second. Your eyes are flushed red as if from fever

How is it that every week's amusement has already been planned in advance?

Who's calling out where the buffet is taking bookings?

To begin anew is wrong. Everyone knows you'd be too young to be with.

To be more intimate is also wrong. You're so popular, what close friend would you lack?

@If you are used to preparing a trouble-free dinner for one,

Then consider letting me borrow some time. Afterwhich it cannot be returned.

If the bulb breaks borrow a candle for the night. You are, you are, greedy.

After greed has done all its wrong, then what kind of person would I be? Receive a kiss to be able to close one's eyes.

Obviously, everytime you speak of her, you like to pile on the accolades.

Obviously, everytime you care to look at the phone, you'd look ten times.

To be focused is wrong. Your eyes always love to wander.

To be distracted is also wrong. Becoming that kind of idle person would be just as miserable as becoming one who cannot love.

If you are used to preparing a trouble-free dinner for one,

Then consider letting me borrow some time. Afterwhich it cannot be returned.

If the bulb breaks borrow a candle for the night. You are, you are, greedy.

After greed has done all its wrong, then what kind of person would I be?

Repeat@

To not carry an umbrella when there's rain.

In my second attempt at lyric translation, I try to retain as literal a translation as I can. But it occurs to me it's only a matter of time before I run into the dilemma of choosing between a literal translation and one that captures the essence of the original. Of particular difficulty this week was the last sentence (有雨沒提像傘). First of all, I had to do a double-take because I thought the lyrics were incorrect. I thought there should have been a measure word in place of 像 (which as far as I know isn't a MW), but after cross-checking with several other websites and carefully listening to the song, I saw this wasn't the case. Not knowing what to do, I just treated 像 as though it were a MW. Aside from that, this line is the kind of topical sentence that is quite difficult to translate into English. To me, it "feels" as if it's missing a subject and a conjunction. For example, I would have liked to translate it as "There's rain, but I haven't brought an umbrella", but nowhere in the original do you find the equivalent for "I" and "but". From what I gather, the subject in the song is implied and may refer to either the singer or the singer's lover. Left with that, I instead chose to go with a participle-like phrase "To not carry an umbrella when there's rain". Regardless, I had fun translating this song and learned quite a bit.

Edited October 15, 2009 at 04:45 AM by mewmew

[mewmew]

Just watched the MV of this video and lo' and behold there was suppose to be a 著 in the final sentence. Also left out one small translation. In the second verse right before the chorus repeats for the 2nd time I left out "idle" for 閒. The line should read:

...Becoming that kind of idle person...

[mewmew]

I'm hoping that I'll eventually get some more feedback on this thread. While I do enjoy song translation for its sake alone, it does get a little lonely when I'm the only one posting here . This week we're jumping in the time machine and going back in time, well just two years to be precise. This song was from 小肥's debut in 2007 and is one of my favorites.

Week Three

Song: 時光機 (Time Machine)

Artist(s): 小肥

如果一早沒有當 好知已

如果天公造美 勤力地獻技

如若約會那天 有像預期 拖實你

如果他出現了 我夠勇氣

能做盡特技 能跟他相爭至死

我今天不須要 在暗中仰慕你

*只想去為你 完成時光機器

人人能超越時間生死

子彈鋪滿地 為求情敵撤離

部署戰爭奮勇地尋找轉機

天天公開捍衛你 不再逃避

樣樣事也經由我親手主理

被動沒有機 自信再少都緊抱實你*

如果不執著暗戀 多麼好

如果當初望見情敵 便憤怒

如若智用夠高 吐字用詞 多用腦

如果搶先示愛 算數算數

懷恨沒味道 時光機開始倒數

我想好好改過 直接跟你上訴

REPEAT *

當天不敢抱實你 只去逃避

舊日獨有情份都失諸交臂

懦弱地妄想 造個機器重遇你

沒法改寫既定結尾 就期待下世紀

If only early on I wasn't thought of as just a close friend,

If god made things beautiful, diligently granting me abilities,

If meeting on that day, there was even the resemblance of expectation, I'd pull you tight.

If he emerged...I had enough bravery...

Able to use up my special abilities...able to struggle with him to death...

I wouldn't today need to secretly admire you.

*I only want to go back for you. Complete the time machine.

People would be able to transcend time, life and death.

Bullets all over the floor, demand my rival's retreat

Deployed in a war to forcibly look for an opportunity.

Everyday protecting you in public. No longer avoiding.

All matters also handled with my own two hands.

Passivity will not bring forth the machine. When confidence is low, I'd hold you tight*

If only I didn't stubbornly love you in secret, how good would that be!

If at the time I saw my rival, I became angry.

If only I were wise enough to enunciate the many words in my head.

If only I had rush to show my love...just forget it

Loathing has no taste. The countdown for the time machine has begun.

I want to go back to change things right. Appeal directly to you.

REPEAT *

That day I didn't dare hold you tight and only avoided you.

When all that's left are fractured feelings from old times, I even lost the closeness of your being.

Weakly, I'll attempt in vain to build a time machine to see you again.

There's no way to rewrite our ending so I'll wait for the next century.

Some notes on this translation:

• I took the liberty to add certain pronouns to make for a more fluid translation. So if you see "I" and don't see "我", rest assured, the subject is assumed.
  
• It occurred to me that 機 in the line "被動沒有機" could also be translated as opportunity as in 機會. In which case the translation would read "There's no opportunity in passivity". These sort of double-entendres are quite common in Asian languages and I'm actually quite ashamed that I've only found one so far!
  
• I was having some trouble translating "子彈鋪滿地 為求情敵撤離部署戰爭奮勇地尋找轉機" since it seemed kind of rambling when I read it. In the end, I went with a more-or-less word-for-word translation. As the song is about love lost, it seems logical that the singer would ramble.
  

That's it! Hope you enjoyed it and let's see some of that feedback!

[mewmew]

Trying out another duet this week...

Week Four

Song: 七年 (Seven Years)

Artist(s): 方力申 & 鄧麗欣

鄧：甜美地邂逅　十指想緊扣　為何今天掩著耳走　不敢深究

方：最初的迷戀　在暗中化作了忍受　

合：這經歷那位　沒有　

方：從前的熾熱懷念　何時冷卻變生厭　

鄧：當感覺變舊　彼此早有意逃走　

方：是慣性　鄧：是欲求

方：若不捨　鄧：想補救　

鄧：怎麼總是慢慢放手　

方：如相處悶透後　如相愛沒永久　人總貪心滿足一切都不會夠　

鄧：倒轉了沙漏　不見得可改寫春秋

合：還是要　承受路上氣流

方：如天意未接受　如相信是永久　求可忠心縱使經過不少引誘

鄧：擁抱的感受　不帶半分的擔憂

合：罕見但也許還有　

鄧：曾看重自由　便解開手扣　為何今天竟在顫抖　擔心所有

方：明明沒出錯　無緣無故也要遷就

合：這考驗那位　沒有　

方：從前的熾熱懷念　何時冷卻變生厭

鄧：當感覺變舊　彼此早有意逃走

方：是妥協　鄧：是盡頭

方：若不捨　鄧：想補救　

鄧：怎麼總是萬樣借口　

方：如相處悶透後　如相愛沒永久　人總貪心滿足一切都不會夠

鄧：倒轉了沙漏　不見得可改寫春秋

合：還是要　承受路上氣流

方：如天意未接受　如相信是永久　求可忠心縱使經過不少引誘

鄧：初見的溫柔　失散於幾多山丘

合：肯找尋也許　還有

方：戀愛　鄧：穿過歲月後

合：怎保存到死　還有

S: A sweet unexpected meeting. Ten fingers want to clasp tightly. Why are my ears covered today? I don't dare investigate deeply.

F: The first infatuation secretly transformed into a test of endurance.

Both: This experience of that situation doesn't exist.

F: When previously cherished, glowing memories cool, it turns into disgust.

S: When the feeling ages, we'd be interested in fleeing from one another earlier.

F: It's inertia... S: It's a longing

F: If you don't want to let go... S: Think of a remedy

S: Why are we always slowly breaking up?

F: If getting along becomes a thorough bore. If mutual love is not forever. People are always greedy. Satisfying everything would still not be enough.

S: A reversed hourglass is unlikely to revise the seasons.

Both: Nevertheless, we need to catch our breath on this journey.

F: If providence has not received. If the belief is forever. I demand a loyal heart though it may have led you astray more than a few times.

S: The feeling of an embrace doesn't consist of even half a minute of worry.

Both: Rare though it maybe, perhaps it's still there.

S: Having seen us free again, it's easy to undo your hands. Why is there still an unexpected thrill today? I'm worried about everything.

F: Clearly there's no error. No destiny nor reason that needs accomodation.

Both: This test of that situation doesn't exist.

F: When previously cherished, glowing memories cool, it turns into disgust.

S: When the feeling ages, we'd be interested in fleeing from one another earlier.

F: It's compromise... S: It's the end

F: If you don't want to let go... S: Think of a remedy

S: Why is it as if we've 10,000 excuses?

F: If getting along becomes a thorough bore. If mutual love is not forever. People are always greedy. Satisfying everything would still not be enough.

S: A reversed hourglass is unlikely to revise the seasons.

Both: Nevertheless, we need to catch our breath on this journey.

F: If providence has not received. If the belief is forever. I demand a loyal heart though it may have led you astray more than a few times.

S: The first sight of gentleness is scattered accross several mountainous hills.

Both: Willing to search, perhaps it's still there.

F: Falling in love... S: After passing through life's years.

Both: How to preserve til death? It's still there.

[mewmew]

An apropos song for this thread

Week Five

Song: 給自己的信 (A Letter for Myself)

Artist(s): 鍾舒漫

很相信　能成就大愛

很相信　能炫耀自己

很貪心　願天天很多　美好的派對

寫封信　來留住大志

寫封信　來提示自己

寫得低　是心中很多　似詩的細碎

＊懷疑我　當天幾多歲　令我寫了一句不怕流淚

　懷疑我　永遠不會累　就來十行列明十個壯舉

　讓我　闖出新世界　交出真個性

　假使想愛　必會找到親愛伴侶

　突然十年便過去　方知歲月冷漠似水

　就算　筆跡不會變　紙張不會皺

　偏偏想笑　竟會得到灰暗情緒

　默然從頭讀過去

　一句　一句　太乾脆　＊

一個　一個　已粉碎

祝福我　能遊歷萬國

怎麼我　還奴役自己

不甘心　在天天很多　錯失的證據

這封信　如明亮大鏡

這封信　能明白自己

寫得低　但怎麼拋低　理想的散去

Repeat ＊

讓我　闖出新世界　交出真個性

假使想愛　必會找到親愛伴侶

突然十年便過去　方知歲月冷漠似水

就算　紙張不會皺　甚麼都生鏽

偏偏想笑　只會得到灰暗情緒

默然從頭讀過去

一句　一句　太乾脆

一個　一個　已粉碎

很相信　能成就大愛

很相信　能炫耀自己

很貪心　願天天很多　美好的派對

I'm very convinced, I'm able to attain great love.

I'm very convinced, I'm able to show myself off.

I'm very greedy, wanting everyday very much a glorious party.

Writing a letter, to set down my big goals

Writing a letter, to call attention to myself.

Write it down, it's as if the many thoughts of my heart are like fragmented pieces of a poem.

*I'm suspicious how old I was that day. It made me write a sentence unafraid of tears.

I'm suspicious why I never get tired. Because of that, 10 lines will realize 10 feats.

Allow me to rush out into a new world, handing out my real personality

If only thinking of love will necessarily find my dear companion.

Suddenly, 10 years pass easily, letting me know life's years are as cold and neglected as water.

Even if the handwriting doesn't change, or the paper won't wrinkle

Even then I want to laugh, unexpectedly obtaining gloomy feelings.

Silently, read from the beginning

One sentence, one sentence, too straight-forward *

One thing, one thing, already has broken.

Bless me, I'm able to travel across 10,000 countries.

Why am I still enslaving myself?

Unable to resign myself to mistakingly losing so much evidence day by day.

This letter is like a big bright mirror.

This letter makes it so I can understand myself

Write it down, but how does one set down an ideal separation?

Repeat *

Allow me to rush out into a new world, handing out my real personality

If only thinking of love will necessarily find my dear companion.

Suddenly, 10 years pass easily, letting me know life's years are as cold and neglected as water.

Even if paper won't wrinkle and everything rusts

Even then I want to laugh, only to obtain gloomy feelings.

Silently, read from the beginning

One sentence, one sentence, too straight-forward

One thing, one thing, already has broken.

I'm very convinced, I'm able to attain great love.

I'm very convinced, I'm able to show myself off.

I'm very greedy, wanting everyday very much a glorious party.