Lyrics & Translation
Learning a language through music is a beautiful journey, and Richie Jen's '對摺' is a perfect companion for those learning Mandarin. The song's clear, emotive vocals and the poetic, yet accessible, lyrics about love and memory offer a great opportunity to learn new vocabulary and understand how metaphors are used in Chinese songwriting. The song's special quality lies in its blend of a touching melody with thought-provoking lyrics that have sparked diverse interpretations, making it a culturally significant and engaging piece to explore.
Your favorite sky blue is refracted by the sunlight.
On both sides of the overpass, we look at each other from afar.
At the moment when time stands still.
What a joyous occasion, pitiful, hateful, and adorable— but unfortunately, none of it is possible anymore.
I fold myself in half, gently folding you as well.
This life was borrowed from you, the next life I promised you.
The more I remember, the more I can't let go. Love, hate, pain—I don't understand it.
My heart feels like it's cut by a knife; only after feeling the pain do I understand.
What still bites tightly into me, like memories biting at my heart.
The eighth color of the rainbow is the black of the night.
My heart is still made of flesh, your kisses are still warm.
You are asleep, and I am still awake.
Bitter, sour, sweet, and nostalgic—we can't go back anymore.
I fold myself in half, gently folding you as well.
This life was borrowed from you, the next life I promised you.
The more I remember, the more I can't let go. Love, hate, pain—I don't understand it.
My heart feels like it's cut by a knife; only after feeling the pain do I understand.
Re-fold the fold, and gently fold the dreams too.
I've stored all the memories, and the tears will gradually dry up.
A thousand paper cranes fly away along the Milky Way.
Joy and sorrow, no longer able to split you and me apart or bring us together—don't divide me.
I fold myself in half, and gently fold you as well.
This life was borrowed from you, the next life I promised you.
The more I remember, the more I can't let go. Love, hate, pain—I don't understand it.
My heart feels like it's cut by a knife; only after feeling the pain do I understand.
Re-fold the fold, and gently fold the dreams too.
I've stored all the memories, and the tears have dried up.
A thousand paper cranes fly away.
Along the Milky Way, joy and sorrow can no longer split you from me.
The more I can't bear to part, the more I cling and hesitate.
Key Vocabulary
| Vocabulary | Meanings |
|---|---|
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清澈 (qīngchè) /t͡ɕʰiŋ t͡ʂʰɤ/ B2 |
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淚水 (lèishuǐ) /leɪ ʃweɪ/ A2 |
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折射 (zhéshè) /ʈ͡ʂɤ̌ ʂɤ/ B2 |
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遙望 (yáowàng) /jɑ̌ʊ wɑŋ/ B2 |
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靜止 (jìngzhǐ) /t͡ɕiŋ ʈ͡ʂɨ/ B1 |
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對摺 (duìzhé) /tueɪ ʈ͡ʂɤ/ B1 |
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借 (jiè) /t͡ɕjɛ/ A1 |
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答應 (dāyìng) /taɪ̯ iŋ/ A2 |
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不捨 (bùshě) /pu ʂɤ/ B2 |
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心如刀割 (xīn rú dāo gē) /ɕin ʐu ɖɑʊ̯ ɡɤ/ C1 |
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痛 (tòng) /tʰʊŋ/ A1 |
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回憶 (huíyì) /xueɪ i/ B1 |
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彩虹 (cǎihóng) /tsʰaɪ xʊŋ/ A2 |
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苦 (kǔ) /kʰu/ A2 |
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澀 (sè) /sɤ/ B2 |
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夢 (mèng) /mɤŋ/ A1 |
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淚水 (lèishuǐ) /leɪ ʃweɪ/ A2 |
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乾 (gān) /gan/ A1 |
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飛 (fēi) /feɪ/ A1 |
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分割 (fēngē) /fəŋ ɡɤ/ B2 |
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Do you remember what “清澈 (qīngchè)” or “淚水 (lèishuǐ)” means in "對摺"?
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Key Grammar Structures
We're updating this section. Stay tuned!
