Flamingo – Bilingual Lyrics Japanese/English

• By: 米津玄師
• Album: STRAY SHEEP

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the lyrical depths of Kenshi Yonezu's 'Flamingo,' a captivating blend of traditional Japanese musicality and modern pop. This song offers a unique opportunity to explore Japanese expressions of complex emotions like sorrow and jealousy, presented through its distinctive sound and vivid imagery. Its artistic richness makes it a compelling piece for language learners and music enthusiasts alike.

[English]

In the twilight, I clap my claws

Rain exposes sadness, cloudy with flowers

In this withered town, nothing sticks

Nose dripping regretfully, giggling foolishly

This petty mudfight that can’t be laughed at

A vivid crimson hair ornament, a formidable rival in love

I want to touch your velvet brow

With a faintly cold smile

You, flitting, flitting, flamingo

Vivid, wobbly, flamingo, dancing as you please

Laughing shaky, I won’t go home anymore

Leaving only loneliness and jealousy behind

Thanks for today, next time I’ll cherish more

...

Thank you for your visit

Soaring recklessly, slipping on smooth surfaces

Empty threats, murmuring words

Confused and reckless, showing foolishness

I just want to hear your lovely voice

Spilled spare change, a daytime crow begging

On this trivial stage, only one thing shines

Even just you is enough

That’s the flapping, flapping, flamingo

Terrifyingly blushing, flapping, flapping flamingo

Floating softly, saying goodbye

Come on, that’s not right, let’s talk properly

Damn you, don’t swallow the spit you spat

Getting soaked in icy rain, with a runny nose

Today, I hold a cat toy in my right hand

At this rate, I can’t be fooled anymore

Wandering in the void of eternity

Submitting to hell’s Enma,

Please, don’t forget that girl

A drunken puppet’s story

Keep going, a monkey show until death

You, flitting, flitting, flamingo

Vivid, wobbly, flamingo, dancing as you please

Laughing shakily, I won’t go home anymore

Leaving only jealousy behind

Thanks for today, next time I’ll cherish more

In the twilight, I clap my claws, cloudy with flowers

In this withered town, nothing sticks, giggling foolishly

...

[Japanese]

宵闇に 爪弾き

悲しみに雨曝し 花曇り

枯れた街 にべもなし

佗びしげに鼻垂らし へらへらり

笑えないこのチンケな泥仕合

唐紅の髪飾り あらましき恋敵

触りたいベルベットのまなじりに

薄ら寒い笑みに

あなたフラフラフラフラミンゴ

鮮やかなフラフラフラフラミンゴ 踊るまま

ふらふら笑ってもう帰らない

寂しさと嫉妬ばっか残して

毎度あり 次はもっと大事にして

御目通り 有難し

闇雲に舞い上がり 上滑り

虚仮威し 口遊み

狼狽に軽はずみ 阿呆晒し

愛おしいその声だけ聴いていたい

半端に稼いだ泡銭 タカリ出す昼鳶

下らないこのステージで光るのは

あなただけでもいい

それはフラフラフラフラミンゴ

恐ろしやフラフラフラフラミンゴ はにかんだ

ふわふわ浮かんでもうさいなら

そりゃないね もっとちゃんと話そうぜ

畜生め 吐いた唾も飲まないで

氷雨に打たれて鼻垂らし

あたしは右手にねこじゃらし

今日日この程度じゃ騙せない

狭間で彷徨う常しえに

地獄の閻魔に申し入り

あの子を見受けておくんなまし

酔いどれ張り子の物語

やったれ死ぬまで猿芝居

あなたフラフラフラフラミンゴ

鮮やかなフラフラフラフラミンゴ 踊るまま

ふらふら笑ってもう帰らない

嫉妬ばっか残して

毎度あり 次はもっと大事にして

宵闇に 爪弾き 花曇り

枯れた街 にべもなし へらへらり

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
爪弾き (Tsumabiki) /tsɯma.bi.ki/ C1	noun - playing a stringed instrument by plucking
悲しみ (Kanashimi) /ka.na.ʃi.mi/ A2	noun - sadness, sorrow
雨曝し (Amazarashi) /a.ma.za.ra.ʃi/ C1	noun - exposed to rain
花曇り (Hanagumori) /ha.na.ɡɯmo.ɾi/ B2	noun - overcast weather during cherry blossom season
街 (Machi) /ma.t͡ɕi/ A1	noun - town, city
鼻 (Hana) /ha.na/ A1	noun - nose
笑え (Warae) /wa.ɾa.e/ A1	verb - to laugh (potential form)
髪飾り (Kamikazari) /ka.mi.ka.za.ɾi/ B2	noun - hair ornament
恋敵 (Koigataki) /ko.i.ɡa.ta.ki/ C1	noun - love rival
声 (Koe) /ko.e/ A1	noun - voice
ステージ (Suteeji) /sɯ̥teːd͡ʑi/ A2	noun - stage
夢 (Yume) /jɯme/ A2	noun - dream
地獄 (Jigoku) /d͡ʑi.ɡo.kɯ/ B1	noun - hell
物語 (Monogatari) /mo.no.ɡa.ta.ɾi/ B1	noun - story, tale
猿芝居 (Sarushibai) /sa.ɾɯ.ʃi.ba.i/ C2	noun - poor acting, bad performance
嫉妬 (Shitto) /ʃit.to/ B2	noun - jealousy, envy

Key Grammar Structures

• 宵闇に 爪弾き

  ➔ Particle "に" indicating location or time.

  ➔ The particle "に" marks the point in time or location where the action occurs: "宵闇に" means "in the twilight."

• 悲しみに雨曝し

  ➔ Noun "悲しみ" + particle "に" + verb "曝し" (to expose).

  ➔ The phrase "悲しみに雨曝し" uses "に" to indicate the target of the exposure, which is "悲しみ" (sadness), and "曝し" means "to expose."

• 笑えないこのチンケな泥仕合

  ➔ Adjective "笑えない" (can't laugh) + noun phrase.

  ➔ The adjective "笑えない" describes something that cannot make one laugh, modifying "このチンケな泥仕合" (this petty mud fight).

• 触りたいベルベットのまなじりに

  ➔ Verb "触りたい" (want to touch) + noun phrase "ベルベットのまなじり" (velvet eyelid).

  ➔ The "verb "触りたい"" expresses desire to touch, and it is connected to "ベルベットのまなじり" indicating the velvet-like eyelid or eyelash.

• あなたフラフラフラフラミンゴ

  ➔ Particle "は" omitted, emphasis on "あなた" with repetitive onomatopoeia.

  ➔ The subject "あなた" (you) is emphasized by the repetition of "フラフラフラフラミンゴ," which is an onomatopoeia representing wobbling or fluttering movement.