23rd Monster – Bilingual Lyrics Japanese/English

• By: 浜崎あゆみ

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Ayumi Hamasaki's "23rd Monster," a powerful J-pop rock anthem that celebrates individualism and defiance. Its direct and empowering lyrics offer a fantastic opportunity to explore expressions of self-determination and resilience in Japanese. You can learn how to articulate strong personal convictions and navigate challenges, making it an engaging way to deepen your understanding of the language through a song that champions authenticity.

[English]

Try calm, like gentle ripples of a calm wave

I had a dream—a false dream of illusions

When everything in your path is blocked

I'm used to it; I don't even have to think twice

No matter how you think about it, it's madness

It's called A 'Monster'

Normalcy has been rewritten

The time spent worrying is over

Will you accept it?

Reveal your fangs?

Is it the end or a new beginning you're facing?

It seems the options have decreased

In a way, they've become infinite

Unknown person,

I'm not interested in your judgment

The ending is up to me

Fly, worn out and with a battered heart

I haven't lost everything yet

To follow the crowd? Screw that

Deep inside, my eyes clearly say

It's better to give it your all and face defeat head-on

You're also A 'Monster'

In uncertain times,

Clear distinctions have been made—white or black

Protect what you value?

What will you discard?

The past that brought you to this future

Strength isn't just about breaking through

Letting go isn't easy

My beloved,

Don't blame anyone

The ending is up to you

Normalcy has been rewritten

The time spent worrying is over

Accept it?

Reveal your fangs?

Is it the end or a new beginning you're facing?

It seems the options have decreased

In a way, they've become infinite

Unknown person,

I'm not interested in your judgment

In uncertain times,

Clear distinctions have been made—white or black

Protect what you value?

What will you discard?

The past that brought you to this future

Strength isn't just about breaking through

Letting go isn't easy

My beloved,

Don't blame anyone

The ending is up to you

- The ending is up to me -

[Japanese]

Try 穏やかな さざ波のような

なんて勘違いの夢の夢見た

行手を全て塞がれるのは

良く考えてみなくても慣れっこ

どう考えたって正気の沙汰じゃない

It's called A 'Monster'

ノーマルは書き換えられて

悲観してる時間ももう過ぎた

受け止める？

牙を剥く？

見据えるのは終わりか始まりか

選択肢は減ったようで

ある意味無限になったのかもね

見知らぬ人よ

君のジャッジに興味はない

結末はボクシダイだ

Fly 疲弊して 擦り減った心

全てを失くした訳じゃまだない

右にならえなんてクソ喰らえだと

瞳の奥がハッキリ言ってる

やるだけやって玉砕のがマシね

You're also A 'Monster'

不確かな時代になって

確かなものに白黒がついた

守り抜く？

何捨てる？

その未来に今来た過去がある

貫くだけが強さじゃない

手放すのは楽なんて事はない

愛しい人よ

誰のせいにもしないで

結末はキミシダイだ

ノーマルは書き換えられて

悲観してる時間ももう過ぎた

受け止める？

牙を剥く？

見据えるのは終わりか始まりか

選択肢は減ったようで

ある意味無限になったのかもね

見知らぬ人よ

君のジャッジに興味はない

不確かな時代になって

確かなものに白黒がついた

守り抜く？

何捨てる？

その未来に今来た過去がある

貫くだけが強さじゃない

手放すのは楽なんて事はない

愛しい人よ

誰のせいにもしないで

結末はキミシダイだ

-結末はボクシダイだ-

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
夢 /ゆめ/ B1	noun - dream
考える /かんがえる/ B2	verb - to think
終わり /おわり/ A2	noun - end
未来 /みらい/ B1	noun - future
未来 /みらい/ B1	noun - future
選択肢 /せんたくし/ B2	noun - option; choice
守る /まもる/ B1	verb - to protect; to守る
貫く /つらぬく/ B2	verb - to pierce; to penetrate; to persist
過去 /かこ/ A2	noun - past
強さ /つよさ/ B2	noun - strength
愛しい /いとしい/ B2	adjective - beloved; dear
時間 /じかん/ A2	noun - time
現れる /あらわれる/ B2	verb - to appear
無限 /むげん/ C1	noun - infinity; limitless

Key Grammar Structures

• It's called A 'Monster'

  ➔ Passive voice using 'be' + past participle

  ➔ The structure indicates that something is named or known as the specified term.

• You’re also A 'Monster'

  ➔ Adjective + 'also' to add emphasis or inclusion

  ➔ The phrase emphasizes that the subject is included in the same category as 'monster'.

• 受け止める？

  ➔ Verb in dictionary form indicating a question (bare form verb)

  ➔ The question uses the plain, dictionary form of the verb to inquire about the action.

• 見据えるのは終わりか始まりか

  ➔ Use of 'か' to indicate a choice or question between two options

  ➔ The particle 'か' presents alternative options in the question, akin to 'or'.

• 選択肢は減ったようで

  ➔ て-form + いる to indicate ongoing or apparent state/context

  ➔ The ている form conveys an ongoing or observed state, suggesting the options seem reduced.

• 結末はキミシダイだ

  ➔ Noun + だ (copula) for defining or asserting identity or state

  ➔ The plain copula だ links the noun to its attribute or identity, asserting the conclusion or 'ending' is 'your own'.

• 結末はボクシダイだ

  ➔ Noun + だ (copula) for assertion of identity or state

  ➔ Similar to previous, it affirms that the 'ending' is 'my own', emphasizing personal agency in the outcome.