空姐 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: Gin Lee

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the lyrical depth of Gin Lee's "空姐" (Flight Attendant), a powerful Cantopop ballad that masterfully intertwines themes of letting go and living in the present. Through its evocative metaphors of travel and departure, this song offers a unique window into Cantonese expression, allowing listeners to explore nuanced emotions and contemporary slang within a beautifully composed melody. Its relatable narrative and thoughtful wordplay make it an exceptional piece for understanding both the language and the cultural subtleties of Cantopop.

[English]

Should I give up on the past or keep it deeply engraved in my heart?

Emotions are tense—can I just gently press and resolve them?

And luggage forces me to think too much, unable to board the plane.

I'm afraid of staying, yet even more afraid of forgetting.

We haven't watched a show together, not ready to see the ending.

Who told me I can't let go, desperately struggling with hope.

Looking back, you gave me this boarding pass, yet it was empty joy.

A journey without you, love exists but feels vague.

Should keep going, leave but not let go.

Should be decisive, yet I can't do it.

Should be carefree, return to being friends.

Should look for you, but it’s too absurd.

Should be vulnerable, my jaw trembling.

Should be happy, don’t dwell on the pain.

Should adapt, even after calmness, there’s more.

Follow my current feelings and go.

Sigh in the waiting lounge, exhaust my regrets and oxygen.

No wonder I can’t fly out of your ten-kilometer radius so easily.

Clearly, I’ve shed your weight and should be able to soar high.

Wings but no courage, a smile but sadness inside.

Should keep going, leave but not let go.

Should be decisive, yet I can't do it.

Should be carefree, return to being friends.

Should look for you, but it’s too absurd.

Should be vulnerable, my jaw trembling.

Should be happy, don’t dwell on the pain.

Should adapt, even after calmness, there’s more.

Follow my feelings in this moment and go.

Wave my hands.

Should keep going, leave but not let go.

Should be decisive, yet I can't do it.

Should be carefree, return to being friends.

Should look for you, but it’s too absurd.

Should be vulnerable, my jaw trembling.

Should be happy, don’t dwell on the pain.

Should adapt, even after calmness, there’s more.

But I wish I dared to fly high and go far away.

...

[Chinese]

前事應該放棄 還是刻骨銘記

情緒掣 可不可輕輕一按便處理

而行李 逼得思憶太過多沒法登機

我怕留起 更怕忘記

還未一起看戲 還未捨得結尾

誰叫我 揮不走苦苦掙扎地希冀

回頭看 你送我這登機證幾經空歡喜

有旅程沒有你 有愛情但依稀

應該繼續 離開不放手

應該決絕 無奈未能夠

應該灑脫 回復做朋友

應該找你 卻太過荒謬

應該脆弱 牙關都顫抖

應該快樂 難受別研究

應該適應 平伏後還有

順著我此刻感覺走

從候機室嘆氣 遺憾抽乾氧氣

難怪我 怎輕巧飛不出你十公里

明明我 卸去了你的體重本應可高飛

有翅膀沒勇氣 有笑容但傷悲

應該繼續 離開不放手

應該決絕 無奈未能夠

應該灑脫 回復做朋友

應該找你 卻太過荒謬

應該脆弱 牙關都顫抖

應該快樂 難受別研究

應該適應 平伏後還有

順著我此刻感覺走

揮一揮兩手

應該繼續 離開不放手

應該決絕 無奈未能夠

應該灑脫 回復做朋友

應該找你 卻太過荒謬

應該脆弱 牙關都顫抖

應該快樂 難受別研究

應該適應 平伏後還有

但願我敢高飛 遠走

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
放棄 (fàngqì) /fɑŋ t͡ɕʰi/ B1	verb - to abandon, to give up
銘記 (míngjì) /mɪŋ d͡ʒi/ B2	verb - to bear in mind; to remember vividly
情緒 (qíngxù) /t͡ɕʰɪŋ ɕy/ B1	noun - emotion, mood
行李 (xínglǐ) /ɕiŋ li/ A2	noun - luggage, baggage
思憶 (sīyì) /sɨ i/ C1	noun - memories, reminiscences
捨得 (shědé) /ʂɤ de/ B2	verb - to be willing to part with, not begrudge
結尾 (jiéwěi) /t͡ɕiɛ wei/ B1	noun - ending, conclusion
掙扎 (zhēngzhá) /t͡ʂɤŋ ʈ͡ʂɑ/ B2	verb - to struggle
希冀 (xījì) /ɕi t͡ɕi/ C1	noun - hope, expectation
旅程 (lǚchéng) /ly ʈʂʰəŋ/ B1	noun - journey, trip
愛情 (àiqíng) /aɪ t͡ɕʰɪŋ/ A2	noun - love
依稀 (yīxī) /i ɕi/ B2	adjective - vague, indistinct
灑脫 (sǎtuō) /sa twɔ/ C1	adjective - natural and unrestrained
荒謬 (huāngmiù) /xwɑŋ mjoʊ/ B2	adjective - absurd, ridiculous
脆弱 (cuìruò) /t͡sʰweɪ ʐwɔ/ B2	adjective - fragile, weak
顫抖 (chàndǒu) /ʈ͡ʂʰan toʊ/ B1	verb - to shiver, to tremble
難受 (nánshòu) /nan ʂoʊ/ B1	adjective - feel unwell, feel upset
適應 (shìyìng) /ʂɨ iŋ/ B1	verb - to adapt, to adjust
遺憾 (yíhàn) /i xan/ B2	noun - regret, pity
氧氣 (yǎngqì) /jaŋ t͡ɕʰi/ B1	noun - oxygen
體重 (tǐzhòng) /tʰi ʈ͡ʂʊŋ/ A2	noun - body weight
勇氣 (yǒngqì) /jʊŋ t͡ɕʰi/ B1	noun - courage
傷悲 (shāngbēi) /ʂɑŋ peɪ/ B2	adjective - sad and sorrowful

Key Grammar Structures

• 應該繼續 離開不放手

  ➔ Should + verb (modal verb)

  ➔ The phrase uses "應該" which expresses obligation or suggestion, similar to "should".

• 我怕留起 更怕忘記

  ➔ 怕 + verb (to indicate fear of doing something)

  ➔ The sentence uses "怕" to indicate fear or concern about an action, followed by a verb.

• 從候機室嘆氣 遺憾抽乾氧氣

  ➔ From + noun + verb, indicating the source or starting point

  ➔ This construction indicates the origin or starting point of an action, combining "從" (from) with a noun and verb.

• 應該灑脫 回復做朋友

  ➔ Should + verb (modal verb)

  ➔ The phrase uses "應該" to express advice or obligation, followed by a verb in its base form.

• 應該高飛 遠走

  ➔ Should + verb (modal verb)

  ➔ This pattern uses "應該" to suggest ideal actions, combined with the base form of a verb.

• - 还未一起看戏 还未捨得結尾

  ➔ 还未 + verb (indicating actions not yet happened)

  ➔ This structure uses "还未" to express that an action has not yet occurred, emphasizing the ongoing uncompleted state.