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Help me Translate a Song to Chinese


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Posted

Hey,

 

I know this really awesome song which already exists in German & French & Dutch and English translation (German lyrics and English translation, French lyricsGerman song videoFrench song videoDutch song & lyrics), it's the perfect song for leave-taking from a host and I'd love to be able to sing it for my Chinese hosts in the future. I tried to do a translation, but I admit it's beyond my level, especially to keep it singable. Here's my attempt, maybe you can correct & fill in - every little bit helps! Note that I'm going for a translation of the underlying meaning rather than each phrase. 

 

---

 

Chorus:
晚安,朋友   Good night, friends (could I use 我兄弟 here to mean "my good friends"?)
该走的时候来了  It's time for me to go
我还要谈的事情  The things I'd still like to say
不多不长             Won't take long
呆最后一杯喝      The time of having a last glass
 
为日夜跟你们在一起,感谢   Thank you for the days and nights we spent together
为每一杯酒,为每一盘饭,   (For the chair at your table and the wine in my glass)

??? (For the plate you add for me,

???  as if nothing was more natural)

 
Chorus
 
感谢为我们聊天的时间   Thank you for the time we spent talking
为你的耐心 如果意见不同   For your patience when our opinions differed
为你从没问了我哪儿去哪儿来  For never asking where I go or where I come from
???  (For your door that is always open for me)
(Alternatively, based on the French, these two lines could be:  For not having tried to find out where I come from, nor where I go, nor when, nor why)
 
Chorus
 
为在你们的仁慈, 我感谢   Thanks for the kindness that lives at your place
为你从没问 ???    Thanks for never asking whether you'll profit [from having me stay]
可能是为此人人想像    Maybe it's because of this that people imagine
???  (That the light in your windows shines warmer than elsewhere)
 
Chorus

 

---

 

Thank you for your help!

Posted

The blue sentences are my suggestion. You may find it is hard to understand 如此(such a) or 何方( where). I hope it will be helpful.

 

Chorus:

晚安,朋友   Good night, friends (could I use 我兄弟 here to mean "my good friends"?)
This is good enough, plz don't use 兄弟. It sounds a little bit impolite. 
该走的时候来了  It's time for me to go
It is fine
我还要谈的事情  The things I'd still like to say
我还有些话要说
不多不长             Won't take long
This is fine
呆最后一杯喝      The time of having a last glass
只要一杯酒的时间
为日夜跟你们在一起,感谢   Thank you for the days and nights we spent together
感谢和你们度过的每一个夜晚
为每一杯酒,为每一盘饭,   (For the chair at your table and the wine in my glass)
一杯酒,为每一

为每一双筷子,为如此体贴的关心(For the plate you add for me,

???  as if nothing was more natural)This is not direct translation, so plz don't match every word into English. I made this part up. :)

 
Chorus
 
感谢为我们聊天的时间   Thank you for the time we spent talking
感谢我们一起聊天的时光
为你的耐心 如果意见不同   For your patience when our opinions differed
即使意见不同,你依然耐心
为你从没问了我哪儿去哪儿来  For never asking where I go or where I come from
你从不问我从那来,去向何方
???  (For your door that is always open for me)
总是敞开怀抱欢迎我
(Alternatively, based on the French, these two lines could be:  For not having tried to find out where I come from, nor where I go, nor when, nor why)
 
Chorus
 
为在你们的仁慈, 我感谢   Thanks for the kindness that lives at your place
感谢你们如此体贴好客
为你从没问 ???    Thanks for never asking whether you'll profit [from having me stay]
感谢你们如此无私待我
可能是为此人人想像    Maybe it's because of this that people imagine
可能是因为人们都在想
???  (That the light in your windows shines warmer than elsewhere)
你窗前的阳光要比任何地方都明亮
 
Chorus
  • Like 1
Posted

Thanks! You solved my wording questions, though I'll have to see about making it fit the rhythm. 

 

I think you may have misunderstood one part:  "可能是因为人们都在想 你窗前的阳光要比任何地方都明亮"  

In German, the singer refers to the light that is inside the house, NOT the sunlight. So if you're standing outside a house on a cold autumn evening and you see the light shining through the windows, the friends' house's light looks particularly warm and inviting. Also, these two lines are too long to be sung. Can you help me find a shorter wording that still conveys the general idea?

 

非常感谢!

Posted

Oops, you are right. I made a mistake.

 

可能是为此人人想像    Maybe it's because of this that people imagine
可能因此人们都知道
???  (That the light in your windows shines warmer than elsewhere)
这里的灯光有家的温暖
 
How's this one?
  • Like 1
Posted

Wow, I really like this! "家的温暖" - a warmth that makes you feel at home.

 

You're amazing, thank you so much!

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