不问别离 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 指尖笑

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the lyrical beauty of "不问别离" by 指尖笑, a modern Chinese ancient-style song that has captivated millions. Through its poetic verses, you can explore the nuances of expressing longing and separation in Mandarin. The song's blend of classical imagery and a surprising contemporary reference makes it a special piece for understanding cultural juxtaposition in popular Chinese music, offering a unique and engaging way to learn Mandarin vocabulary and appreciate its expressive depth.

[English]

指尖笑 - 不问ciaga (不问别离)

I sigh for the spring flowers and autumn moon, parting unspoken.

In the attic, I write endless thoughts of you, pen never still.

Cigarettes

And tiny liquor bottles

Just what you'd expect

Inside her new Balenciaga

Cigarettes

And tiny liquor bottles

Just what you'd expect

Inside her new Balenciaga

I sigh for the spring flowers and autumn moon, parting unspoken.

As the long wind rises, the lonely city’s flute melody is all you.

The promise of “we’ll meet again” from back then feels out of reach.

Your faint smile slips into my dreams once more.

Inside her new Balenciaga

I sigh for the spring flowers and autumn moon, parting unspoken.

In the attic, I write endless thoughts of you, pen never still.

In ancient poems, who retrieves your hidden thoughts?

I guard the empty city alone, still thinking of you.

Morning flowers await an evening rain.

I await a chance encounter.

Memories wander, how far have they gone?

Inside her new Balenciaga

Willow catkins scatter in my hometown,

As if searching for you on my behalf.

When dreams end and flowers fall, I know not when you’ll return.

Inside her new Balenciaga

I sigh for the spring flowers and autumn moon, parting unspoken.

As the long wind rises, the lonely city’s flute melody is all you.

The promise of “we’ll meet again” from back then feels out of reach.

Your faint smile slips into my dreams once more.

Inside her new Balenciaga

I sigh for the spring flowers and autumn moon, parting unspoken.

In the attic, I write endless thoughts of you, pen never still.

In ancient poems, who retrieves your hidden thoughts?

I guard the empty city alone, still thinking of you.

Inside her new Balenciaga

Say

Inside her new Balenciaga

Say

Inside her new Balenciaga

[Chinese]

指尖笑 - 不问ciaga (不问别离)

我叹那 春花秋月不问别离

阁楼里 写一纸相思未停笔

Cigarettes

And tiny liquor bottles

Just what you'd expect

Inside her new Balenciaga

Cigarettes

And tiny liquor bottles

Just what you'd expect

Inside her new Balenciaga

我叹那 春花秋月不问别离

长风起 孤城笛声里全是你

当年的 后会有期遥不可及

你的一抹笑意又入梦里

Inside her new Balenciaga

我叹那 春花秋月不问别离

阁楼里 写一纸相思未停笔

宋词里 你的心事被谁捞起

我独守空城 还惦记你

朝花等一场暮雨

我在等一场相遇

思念辗转又走几里

Inside her new Balenciaga

故里纷飞的柳絮

仿若替我去寻你

梦醒花落不知归期

Inside her new Balenciaga

我叹那 春花秋月不问别离

长风起 孤城笛声里全是你

当年的 后会有期遥不可及

你的一抹笑意又入梦里

Inside her new Balenciaga

我叹那 春花秋月不问别离

阁楼里 写一纸相思未停笔

宋词里 你的心事被谁捞起

我独守空城 还惦记你

Inside her new Balenciaga

Say

Inside her new Balenciaga

Say

Inside her new Balenciaga

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
叹 /tàn/ A2	verb - to sigh; to lament
春花 /tʂʰwēn ˈxwā/ B1	noun - spring flowers
秋月 /tʂóu ˈjyè/ B1	noun - autumn moon
别离 /bié ˈlǐ/ B2	noun - separation; parting
阁楼 /ɡé ˈlóu/ B2	noun - attic; loft
写 /ɕjě/ A1	verb - to write
相思 /ɕiɑŋ ˈsɨ/ C1	noun - longing for someone; lovesickness
笔 /pǐ/ A1	noun - pen; writing instrument
长风 /tʂáŋ ˈfʊ́ŋ/ C1	noun - long wind; strong breeze
孤城 /ɡū ˈchéŋ/ C1	noun - lonely/isolated city or fortress
笛声 /tɨ́ ˈʂəŋ/ B2	noun - sound of a flute
心事 /xīn ˈʂɨ̀/ B2	noun - inner thoughts; concerns of the heart
捞起 /lǎo ˈqǐ/ B2	verb - to scoop up; to pull out from water
惦记 /diàn ˈjì/ B2	verb - to keep in mind; to miss; to think of
相遇 /ɕiɑŋ ˈyù/ B1	verb - to meet (by chance)
思念 /sī ˈniàn/ B2	verb - to miss; to think of fondly
辗转 /zhǎn ˈzhuǎn/ C1	verb - to turn over; to toss and turn (in mind or physically)
故里 /ɡù ˈlǐ/ B2	noun - hometown; native place
柳絮 /liǔ ˈxù/ C1	noun - willow catkins; fluffy willow seeds
Balenciaga /bəˌlɛn.siˈɑːɡə/ C1	noun - Spanish luxury fashion brand

Key Grammar Structures

• 我叹那 春花秋月**不问别离**

  ➔ Adverbial phrase: 不问别离 (not asking/caring about separation)

  ➔ The phrase '不问别离' functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb '叹' (sigh). It describes the manner of sighing – without questioning separation.

• 阁楼里 写一纸**相思**未停笔

  ➔ Noun: 相思 (longing, pining)

  ➔ '相思' is a noun meaning longing or pining. It's the object of the verb '写' (write), representing what is being written about – the feeling of longing.

• 长风起 **孤城**笛声里全是你

  ➔ Adjective phrase functioning as a noun: 孤城 (isolated/lonely city)

  ➔ '孤城' (lonely city) here functions as a noun, representing the location or setting within the sentence. It describes the place where the sound of the flute is heard.

• 当年的 **后会有期**遥不可及

  ➔ Noun phrase: 后会有期 (we will meet again some day, a promise of reunion)

  ➔ '后会有期' (we will meet again) is a noun phrase that refers to a promise made in the past. The phrase describes a future event and serves as the subject of the sentence, now '遥不可及' (unattainable).

• 你的一抹笑意又**入梦里**

  ➔ Verb + Complement: 入梦里 (enters into the dream)

  ➔ The phrase '入梦里' acts as a verb complement, indicating the direction or destination of the action (entering). The verb here is implied (e.g. 'enters').

• 宋词里 你的心事被谁**捞起**

  ➔ Passive Voice: 被 (by) + verb: 捞起 (scooped up/picked up)

  ➔ This sentence uses the passive voice structure, with '被' indicating the agent performing the action. '谁' (who) is the implied agent. The subject '你的心事' (your secret thoughts) is acted upon.

• 我**独守空城** 还惦记你

  ➔ Verb phrase functioning as an adverbial phrase: 独守空城 (to guard the empty city alone)

  ➔ '独守空城' describes how the speaker is acting. It modifies the main verb. The phrase means 'to guard an empty city alone', signifying solitude and waiting.

• 朝花等一场**暮雨**

  ➔ Noun phrase: 暮雨 (evening rain)

  ➔ '暮雨' acts as a noun, representing the object being waited for. This signifies an anticipation of something to come, similar to waiting for a reunion.