16號愛人 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 容祖兒

Lyrics & Translation

“16號愛人” (Lover No. 16) by Joey Yung is a classic Cantopop ballad that offers a deep dive into the nuances of love, loss, and self-worth. Its evocative lyrics, penned by Wyman Wong, and Joey Yung's heartfelt delivery make it an excellent choice for learning Cantonese. You can explore rich vocabulary related to relationships and emotions, and appreciate how storytelling through song can convey complex feelings. The song's relatable theme of unrequited or diminishing love provides a powerful emotional context, making the language more memorable and engaging.

[English]

It's meaningless to insist, why can't I

Decide who should have a place in my heart?

When you need a companion next time, and your phone battery dies,

I'd rather you not come looking for this woman who's lost her power.

Thinking back, I was so stupid, so innocent.

You were the only guy who gave me a ring.

Turns out, even your greatest love for me is only temporary.

The ranking changes every couple of days.

From fourth to twelfth, and this week it's even more ironic.

Why have I become your 16th lover?

Anyone you run into is more interesting and attractive than me.

Sometimes I wish I were someone else,

To transform and have a sweet romance with you again.

I used to be the champion, how can I get used to being a backup lover?

I was once at the top, gradually sliding into the darkness at the bottom.

Seeing the future, my legs are shaking.

Because I said love is fearless, that's why I'm being taught a lesson.

A humble person is still thrilled to be the runner-up.

Who knew swallowing my anger would turn me into third place?

Who said I'd let you flirt with others?

I'd silently allow it even if I fell to fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh place.

I've tolerated you, but you're even more heartless, making me fall and never recover.

Why have I become your 16th lover?

Anyone you run into is more interesting and attractive than me.

Sometimes I wish I were someone else,

To transform and have a sweet romance with you again.

I used to be the champion, how can I get used to being a backup lover?

I was once at the top, gradually sliding into the darkness at the bottom.

Seeing the future, my legs are shaking.

Because I said love is fearless, that's why I'm being taught a lesson.

I don't want to compete for your kiss anymore.

I'm afraid of causing public resentment if I win.

Facing thousands of enemies, being questioned all day,

Who's lucky enough to be your champion of the week?

Why have I become your 16th lover?

Anyone you run into is prettier and more attractive than me.

I'm most afraid of falling further down the list in the future.

It's better to end it, let go of the hate.

I used to be the champion, now I feel especially resentful.

I was once the champion, now I deeply resent it.

Your hot lips, she kisses them, and then I do.

If you become so casual, who would want to kiss you?

...

[Chinese]

苦苦堅持 經已沒意思 為何不可以

由我去決定誰 才應該在我心中 擁有位置

當你下次 要玩伴時 手機按到沒電時

情願你別來 找這失勢女子

想起當時 蠢到沒法子 純情得可以

男生中只得你 贈我戒指

原來就算最愛我 不過暫時

名次每隔兩日都改變位置

一變四 四變十二 來到這禮拜 更加諷刺

何以 我變了你的 16號愛人

隨便 碰上哪個她 都比我更有趣吸引

偶爾我亦 願我是別人

能轉個化身 共你再蜜運

我以前是冠軍 怎會慣 做後備愛人

曾經 也上到最高 逐漸滑落 谷底的暗

看見未來 雙腳已在震

因我說過愛是無撼 才會受教訓

謙卑的人 只要做亞軍 仍然很興奮

誰知吞聲忍氣 就變季軍

誰人話我會縱你 勾搭別人

連跌到四五六七都會默允

忍了你 你更薄倖 能叫我跌倒 永不超生

何以 我變了你的 16號愛人

隨便 碰上哪個她 都比我更有趣吸引

偶爾我亦 願我是別人

能轉個化身 共你再蜜運

我以前是冠軍 怎會慣 做後備愛人

曾經 也上到最高 逐漸滑落 谷底的暗

看見未來 雙腳已在震

因我說過愛是無撼 才會受教訓

不想再競逐 你的吻

我怕嬴了惹公憤

面對幾千個敵軍 終日查問

是誰幸運做你本週冠軍

何以 我變了你的 16號愛人

隨便 碰上哪個她 都比我更美更吸引

最怕以後 位置再下沉

完結了也好 恨也再別恨

我以前是冠軍 怎會慣 做後備愛人

曾經 也上過冠軍 現在份外 深深不忿

你那熱唇 她吻我又吻

當你變了這樣隨便 誰個又要吻

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
愛人 /ài rén/ A2	noun - lover
心 /xīn/ A1	noun - heart
位置 /wèi zhì/ B1	noun - position
變 /biàn/ A2	verb - to change
願 /yuàn/ B1	verb - to wish
競逐 /jìng zhú/ C1	verb - to compete
最高 /zuì gāo/ B2	adjective - highest
暗 /àn/ B2	adjective - dark
興奮 /xīng fèn/ B2	noun - excitement
美 /měi/ A1	adjective - beautiful
未來 /wèi lái/ B1	noun - future
教訓 /jiào xùn/ B2	noun - lesson
碰 /pèng/ A2	verb - to touch
戒指 /jiè zhǐ/ A2	noun - ring
轉 /zhuǎn/ A2	verb - to turn
隨便 /suí biàn/ B1	adjective - casual

Key Grammar Structures

• 就算最愛我 不過暫時

  ➔ Even if

  ➔ Used to express a concession or hypothetical situation, indicating that the following statement remains true despite a condition.

• 一變四 四變十二

  ➔ Verb + 變 (biàn): to change or become

  ➔ Indicates a process of change or transformation, where the subject transitions through different states.

• 逐漸滑落 谷底的暗

  ➔ 逐漸 + verb: gradually

  ➔ Used to describe an action that happens slowly over time, emphasizing gradual development.

• 看見未來 雙腳已在震

  ➔ 已 (yǐ): already

  ➔ Indicates that an action has been completed or a state has been reached, emphasizing the present perfect or completion.

• 面對幾千個敵軍

  ➔ 面對 (miànduì): to face, to confront

  ➔ Used to describe confronting or dealing with a difficult situation or opponent.

• 即使~也

  ➔ Even if... still...

  ➔ A conjunction to introduce a hypothetical or concessive clause, emphasizing that the main clause holds true regardless.