超人不會飛 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 周杰倫

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the Mandarin language and culture through Jay Chou's introspective hit, "Superman Can't Fly." This song provides a window into the challenges faced by celebrities and the importance of staying true to oneself. Learn relatable vocabulary and gain insight into the world of C-pop.

[English]

Mom says don't fuss over small things, just that a sense of duty found me, I can't sleep

If criticizing someone requires some skill, I add a melody, you'll think it's super cool

My gun doesn't load bullets, so don't worry, no one will fall

I don’t need a stunt double for playing the Blue Beetle, because confidence is the color I paint with

The meaning behind many things I do is far more than you imagine

Filming a TV drama for friendship and a decade-old dream

Even with high ratings, they can't compare to my grand vision

Because I don’t need that trophy to define my life

I don't know when I became a model for society

Won’t be caught by paparazzi showing a gracious side (so what?)

My lyrics need some culture, because they could be used as teaching material anytime

Can CNN wait until my English improves before interviewing? Can the cover of Time magazine be retaken?

Always mindful of my image, I need to control my diet, or I won’t look like a Madame Tussauds wax figure (which I already don’t)

On Hollywood’s Chinese Theatre, there are many handprints and footprints—when will I see my palm there?

Oh, if Superman could fly, let me pause and rest in the sky

Once again overlooking this world, it makes me feel a bit better

...

Saving the Earth is exhausting, though I’m a little tired, I’ll still do it

Don’t ask if I’ve cried, because Superman can’t shed tears

...

To win Best Male Singer, I sing my songs; to star in movies, I can't just get Best Newcomer

Not attending awards shows shows no respect; attending means you care deeply

When you win and shed tears, people think you’re acting or exaggerated (acting or exaggerated)

If you have no expression, others say you're arrogant; if it’s your natural look, they might blame your mom (mom)

In the end, someone else wins the award, and you must give plenty of applause and a smile

Drive a car that’s not too fancy, live in a building that’s not too tall

Am I a songwriter, or a symbol of kindness and good deeds?

When my album drops, it has to be number one; when I make a film, it has to do great at the box office

Honestly, being Superman is really tough

If Superman could fly (Superman can fly), let me pause and rest in the sky (pause and rest)

Once again, overlooking this world, it makes me feel a bit better

...

Saving the Earth is exhausting (earth is tired), though I’m a little tired, I’ll still do it (I will)

Don’t ask if I’ve cried, because Superman can’t shed tears

...

[Chinese]

媽媽說很多事別太計較 只是使命感找到了我我睡不著

如果說罵人要有點技巧 我會加點旋律你會覺得 超屌

我的槍不會裝彈藥(彈藥) 所以放心不會有人倒(人倒)

我拍青蜂俠不需要替身 因為自信是我繪畫的顏料

我做很多事背後的意義遠比你們想像

拍個電視劇為了友情與十年前的夢想

收視率再高也難抗衡我的偉大理想

因為我的人生無需再多一筆那獎項

我不知道何時變成了社會的那榜樣

被狗仔拍不能比中指要大器的模樣(怎樣)

我唱的歌詞要有點文化 因為會隨時被當成教材

CNN能不能等英文好一點再訪 時代雜誌封面能不能重拍

隨時隨地注意形象 要控制飲食不然就跟杜莎夫人蠟像的我不像(本來就不像)

好萊塢的中國戲院地上有很多手印腳印何時才能看見我的掌

喔如果超人會飛 那就讓我在空中停一停歇

再次俯瞰這個世界 會讓我覺得好一些

拯救地球好累 雖然有些疲憊但我還是會

不要問我哭過了沒 因為超人不能流眼淚

唱歌要拿最佳男歌手 拍電影也不能只拿個最佳新人

你不參加頒獎典禮就是沒禮貌 你去參加就是代表你很在乎

得獎時你感動落淚(落淚) 人家就會覺得你誇張做作(做作)

你沒表情別人就會說太囂張 如果你天生這個表情 那些人甚至會怪你媽媽(媽媽)

結果最後是別人在得獎 你也要給予充分的掌聲與微笑

開的車不能太好 住的樓不能太高

我到底是一個創作歌手還是好人好事代表

專輯一出就必須是冠軍 拍了電影就必須要大賣

只能說當超人真的好難

如果超人會飛(超人會飛) 那就讓我在空中停一停歇(停一停歇)

再次俯瞰這個世界 會讓我覺得好一些

拯救地球好累(地球好累) 雖然有些疲憊但我還是會(我還是會)

不要問我哭過了沒 因為超人不能流眼淚

Key Grammar Structures

• 我睡不著

  ➔ Expressing inability or difficulty using the structure '不+verb' for negation.

  ➔ '不' (bù) is used to form a negative phrase meaning 'not' or 'cannot.'

• 我做很多事背後的意義

  ➔ Using 的 to modify nouns and indicate possession or description.

  ➔ '的' (de) is a possessive particle or modifier used to link a noun to its descriptor.

• 如果說罵人要有點技巧

  ➔ Using the conditional '如果...的話' to express 'if... then' in hypothetical situations.

  ➔ '如果' (rú guǒ) means 'if,' and '的話' (de huà) indicates a hypothetical or conditional clause.

• 我不能流眼淚

  ➔ Using modal verbs like '不能' to indicate ability or permission in negative form.

  ➔ '不能' (bù néng) is a modal verb indicating inability or prohibition in negation.

• 我到底是一個創作歌手還是好人好事代表

  ➔ Using '到底' to inquire or emphasize certainty or doubt about a situation.

  ➔ '到底' (dào dǐ) means 'actually' or 'in the end,' used to stress or question the truth or certainty.

• 不要問我哭過了沒

  ➔ Using '沒' with verb to indicate negation of past experience ('沒+verb').

  ➔ '没' (méi) + verb indicates not having done something in the past, a form of negation of past experience.