桜 – Bilingual Lyrics Japanese/English

• By: 河口恭吾

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the beauty of Japanese language and culture through Kyogo Kawaguchi's iconic song, "Sakura." This gentle ballad uses the imagery of cherry blossoms to teach themes of companionship and cherishing everyday moments, offering a glimpse into the heart of Japanese aesthetics and values.

[English]

I'll be by your side

Because I'll make you smile

Counting the seasons when cherry blossoms dance

Let's walk together

I'll be by your side

Because I'll make you smile

Counting the seasons when cherry blossoms dance

Let's walk together

The dazzling mornings are somehow painful

I was gazing at you as if searching for a reason

On nights of tears, I was trembling in the moonlight

The two of us

I'll be by your side

Because I'll make you smile

Let's escape from this city with no sky

Let's go search for a rainbow

I'll always be by your side

Because I'll make you smile

Blown by the gentle wind

Let's walk together

Let's walk together

You are here

You are here

I'll always be by your side

[Japanese]

僕がそばにいるよ

君を笑わせるから

桜舞う季節かぞえ

君と歩いていこう

僕がそばにいるよ

君を笑わせるから

桜舞う季節かぞえ

君と歩いていこう

まぶしい朝は何故か切なくて

理由をさがすように君を見つめていた

涙の夜は月の光に震えていたよ

二人で

僕がそばにいるよ

君を笑わせるから

空のない街抜け出し

虹を探しに行こう

いつもそばにいるよ

君を笑わせるから

やわらかな風に吹かれ

君と歩いていこう

君と歩いていこう

君がいる

君がいる

いつもそばにいるよ

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
桜 /sakura/ A2	noun - cherry blossom
舞う /mau/ B1	verb - to dance, to flutter
季節 /kisetsu/ A2	noun - season
歩く /aruku/ A1	verb - to walk
まぶしい /mabushii/ B1	adjective - dazzling, bright
切ない /setsunai/ B2	adjective - heartbreaking, painful
理由 /riyū/ A2	noun - reason
見つめる /mitsumeru/ B1	verb - to gaze at, to stare
涙 /namida/ A2	noun - tear
月 /tsuki/ A1	noun - moon
光 /hikari/ A2	noun - light
震える /furueru/ B1	verb - to tremble, to shiver
空 /sora/ A1	noun - sky
虹 /niji/ A2	noun - rainbow
やわらかな /yawaraka na/ B1	adjective - gentle, soft
風 /kaze/ A1	noun - wind

Key Grammar Structures

• 僕がそばにいるよ

  ➔ Subject-Topic Marker + Verb + Auxiliary Verb

  ➔ The particle 'が' marks '僕' (I) as the topic of the sentence. 'いる' (to be/exist) is the verb, and 'よ' is an emphatic particle, adding a sense of reassurance or declaration. It's a common pattern for expressing availability or support. "I am here for you."

• 君を笑わせるから

  ➔ Object + Verb (causative) + 'から' (because/so)

  ➔ The verb '笑わせる' is the causative form of '笑う' (to laugh), meaning 'to make someone laugh'. 'から' indicates the reason or cause – 'because I will make you laugh'. The causative form is important for expressing actions done *to* someone.

• まぶしい朝は何故か切なくて

  ➔ Noun + 'は' (topic marker) + Adverb + Adjective + 'くて' (te-form connecting adjectives)

  ➔ The 'は' particle marks 'まぶしい朝' (bright morning) as the topic. '何故か' (for some reason) is an adverb modifying the adjective '切ない' (heartbreaking/melancholy). 'くて' connects two adjectives, indicating that the morning is both bright *and* feels melancholic. This is a common way to express complex feelings.