不吐不快 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 張敬軒

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a powerful tool, and Hins Cheung's “不吐不快” offers a unique opportunity to delve into the nuances of Cantonese. The song's sophisticated and poetic lyrics, penned by the renowned Lin Xi, provide a rich vocabulary for expressing complex emotions like nostalgia, regret, and the bittersweet nature of change. What makes this song special is its raw and relatable portrayal of a universal human experience – the drifting apart of close friends. By studying the lyrics, you can learn not just words, but also cultural references and the subtle ways in which feelings are expressed in Cantonese.

[English]

Why do the repeatedly coming and going, emotionless and dull encounters happen more often with others than with you?

Why is it that when I meet others and greet them, I don’t need to put in effort to say a simple word to you?

Why, whenever I have nothing to do, I prefer to upload things to the computer and forget how to chat with you?

Why is it so hard that I can still find time to sit in a movie theater and see the lead character commit suicide, yet you and I just grow tired and fall asleep?

In the past, with you — how could I compare? Why would I care about you — rushing so desperately?

I love spending the whole night discussing Johnnie To’s expertise in revealing the unpredictability of fate.

Talking about the universe and about myself.

Suddenly, the sun has already risen in front of me.

I just fear I may never feel this way again.

It’s beautiful to be with you in this world.

The ugliness lies in the innocence of the heart.

It's hard to resist the chaos of the world, fighting for ideals or survival — just getting through it.

Endless needs force us to sell our youth cheaply — shopping around.

Growing further apart, days pass quickly, fading even faster — the universe is too vast.

Handshakes are about to be arranged. Forgive my pessimism for crossing the line.

But the frustration builds up inside me, and I just have to speak out.

Why is it that I worry about you, and I don’t want to disturb your peaceful sleep? I can’t bear to call you too early or too late.

Why do we all chase dreams and strive for progress, with no time to share burdens? How do we face pressure and challenge it?

Why, for the sake of the future, do we work so hard we forget to spend an evening with you — just a breeze, not much money needed.

Why do we gradually realize the bigger picture and lose the courage to ignore midnight worries, still meeting?

In the past, with you — how could I compare? Why would I care about you — rushing so desperately?

I also love discussing all night long about others’ relationships, and finally understanding why they end.

Talking about the universe and about myself.

Suddenly, the harsh sun has already risen.

I just fear I may never feel this again.

It’s beautiful to be with you in this world.

The ugliness lies in the innocence of the heart.

It's hard to resist the chaos of the world, fighting for ideals or survival — just getting through it.

Endless needs force us to sell our youth cheaply — shopping around.

Growing further apart, days pass quickly, fading even faster — the universe is too vast.

Handshakes are about to be arranged. Forgive my pessimism for crossing the line.

But the frustration builds up inside me, and I just have to speak out.

Whatever diligence you have, that’s where your future lies.

It’s making us walk fewer miles together.

We can’t sit still until old age — coming into the world demands progress.

Even if you and I are good, we can’t escape this destiny.

You need to understand — endless needs make us sell our youth cheaply — shopping around.

Growing further apart, days pass quickly, fading even faster — the universe is too vast.

Handshakes are about to be arranged. Forgive my pessimism for crossing the line.

But the frustration grows inside, and I have to say it.

Any close friends, any partners — we struggle harmoniously, trust each other, respect, then back off, grow distant, and worry, swinging with worldly changes.

Becoming accustomed to it, I don’t blame anyone.

...

[Chinese]

為何共那又來又往沒情沒趣無情份的竟比你都更頻繁暢聚

為何遇到別人問好為何和你沒有需要花心機講好說話一句

為何若有無聊事幹便寧願上載到電腦早已忘掉怎跟你吹水

為何難得尚能騰空坐在戲院主角自殺你共我竟過倦而進睡

過去共你 (怎麼去比) 哪理會你 (趕得要死)

也愛用整晚說杜琪峰專長揭露命途無常的道理

講破天地 講到自己

不覺迎面太陽已經昇起

只怕無法再有這種情懷

優美得共你同時在這世界

醜惡在於 赤子的胸懷

難敵這紛擾世態 為理想或求生在捱 (該理解)

沒完沒了各有需要把青春賤賣 (怎逛街)

漸行漸遠每天很快淡出得更快 (這宇宙太大)

握手將要安排 原諒我悲觀過界

但血啃在喉中 不吐不快

為何為了別煩著你別防礙你悠然睡去不忍太早太夜回你電

為何大家為求夢想為求上進沒有空檔分擔怎麼跟壓力挑戰

為何為了未來易過便勤力到忘掉共你兜半晚風不需太多錢

為何大家漸明大體再沒有膽不理夜半有沒有緊要事仍見面

過去共你 (怎麼去比) 哪理會你 (趕得要死)

也愛用整晚暢論人家感情最後為何完結的道理

講破天地 講到自己

不覺殘酷太陽已經昇起

只怕無法再有這種情懷

優美得共你同時在這世界

醜惡在於 赤子的胸懷

難敵這紛擾世態 為理想或求生在捱 (該理解)

沒完沒了各有需要把青春賤賣 (怎逛街)

漸行漸遠每天很快淡出得更快 (這宇宙太大)

握手將要安排 原諒我悲觀過界

但血啃在喉中 不吐不快

如何勤勞 便有甚麼出路

令你與我少了幾里漫步

沒能力坐到老 出世需要進步

你我再好也難逃這個軌道

該理解 沒完沒了各有需要把青春賤賣 (怎逛街)

漸行漸遠每天很快淡出得更快 (這宇宙太大)

握手將要安排 原諒我悲觀過界

但血啃在喉中 不吐不快

任何密友任何伴侶和諧互鬥投緣互信尊敬退縮生疏掛心忽近又遠跟世態搖擺

見慣不會怪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
情懷 /qíng huái/ B2	noun - sentiment; emotional state
青春 /qīng chūn/ A2	noun - youth; the period of being young
夢想 /mèng xiǎng/ B1	noun - dream; aspiration
挑戰 /tiǎo zhàn/ B2	verb - to challenge; to confront
悲觀 /bēi guān/ B2	adjective - pessimistic; having a negative outlook
理想 /lǐ xiǎng/ B1	noun - ideal; a standard of perfection
生存 /shēng cún/ B2	verb - to survive; to exist
安排 /ān pái/ B1	verb - to arrange; to organize
血 /xuè/ A1	noun - blood; the red liquid in the body
忘掉 /wàng diào/ B1	verb - to forget; to lose memory of
頻繁 /pín fán/ B2	adjective - frequent; occurring often
自殺 /zì shā/ B2	verb - to commit suicide; to take one's own life
戲院 /xì yuàn/ A2	noun - theater; a place for performances
道理 /dào lǐ/ B1	noun - reason; principle
赤子 /chì zǐ/ C1	noun - infant; child

Key Grammar Structures

• 為何共那又來又往沒情沒趣無情份的竟比你都更頻繁暢聚

  ➔ Use of '為何' to form a question meaning 'Why'

  ➔ '為何' is a formal way to ask 'why' in Chinese.

• 不覺迎面太陽已經昇起

  ➔ Use of '已經' to indicate the action has already been completed ('already')

  ➔ '已經' means 'already', emphasizing the action is completed.

• 血啃在喉中 不吐不快

  ➔ Use of '不...不快' structure to mean 'if you don't do X, you can't feel relieved or comfortable'

  ➔ '不...不快' means 'if you don't do X, you won't feel comfortable or relieved.'

• 講破天地 講到自己

  ➔ Use of '講' as a verb meaning 'to talk about' or 'to discuss'

  ➔ '講' means 'to talk about' or 'discuss', often used to describe sharing thoughts or opinions.

• 難敵這紛擾世態

  ➔ Use of '難' + verb to indicate difficulty in doing something (difficult to resist or confront)

  ➔ '難' indicates that something is difficult to do or resist.

• 沒完沒了各有需要把青春賤賣

  ➔ Use of '沒...沒了' to express something ongoing or endless

  ➔ '沒...沒了' expresses an ongoing or endless situation.

• 見慣不會怪

  ➔ Use of '不會' with verb to express 'won't' or 'be unlikely to' (future unlikely)

  ➔ '不會' means 'will not' or 'unlikely to' in future context.