korekara – Bilingual Lyrics Japanese/English

• By: 岩田剛典

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a linguistic journey with Takanori Iwata's debut solo single, 'korekara'! This chill pop anthem offers a fantastic opportunity to learn Japanese through its warm sound and meaningful lyrics. You can pick up everyday phrases, understand emotional expressions related to embracing the present, and delve into the nuances of a song that marks a significant new beginning for a celebrated artist. Its accessible melody and clear pronunciation make it an ideal song for language learners.

[English]

On the hot asphalt, the heat has cooled down

Walking while licking chocolate at 3 a.m.

Where we're headed, no one knows

To a secret place we found as kids

In the near future, it's the view we saw together

Locked inside memories

Just an ordinary day, how many more times can I greet you?

Stay tonight, I can't hold it back anymore

Honestly, tonight

Ready? All right, as time passes

It makes the night feel bittersweet

Live in the moment

Live in the moment

Come on, let’s set out

I saw it in the falling water drops

The tired faces lined up—I'd forgotten about them before I knew it

Running around busy is okay, but

Don't forget the flower blooming at the side of the road

Looking up at the skyscrapers, seeing the changing city

An attraction that will never come back

I want to keep drawing the moment with you, more than anyone, in this moment that won't come again

Stay tonight, as the sun sets

At that place tonight

Ready? All right, as time passes

It makes the night feel bittersweet

Live in the moment

Live in the moment

Come on, let’s set out

[Japanese]

熱も冷めたアスファルトの上

チョコレート舐めながら歩いてきた午前3時

行き先は誰も知らない

子どもの頃見つけた秘密の場所

そう遠くない未来 二人見た景色

思い出に閉じ込められて

当たり前の日々 あと何度君と迎えられるだろう

Stay tonight 抑えきれてないから

正直な tonight

Ready? All right 過ぎていく時間が

夜を切なくさせるよ

live in the moment

live in the moment

さあさ 旅立とう

落ちていく水玉の中に見えた

並ぶ浮かない顔はいつの間にか忘れていた

忙しく走るのもいいけど

道の端で咲く花忘れないで

高層ビル見上げ 変わりゆく街と

戻ることないアトラクション

二度とない今を 誰よりも君と描き続けたい

Stay tonight 日が沈む頃に

あの場所で tonight

Ready? All right 過ぎていく時間が

夜を切なくさせるよ

live in the moment

live in the moment

さあさ 旅立とう

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
熱 /ねつ/ A2	noun - heat
冷 /れい/ A2	noun - cold
アスファルト /あすふぁると/ B1	noun - asphalt
秘密 /ひみつ/ A2	noun - secret
未来 /みらい/ A2	noun - future
景色 /けしき/ B1	noun - scenery
思い出 /おもいで/ A2	noun - memory
日々 /ひび/ B1	noun - days
時間 /じかん/ A1	noun - time
夜 /よる/ A1	noun - night
旅立つ /たびだつ/ B2	verb - to depart for a journey
忘れる /わすれる/ A2	verb - to forget
高層ビル /こうそうびる/ B2	noun - skyscraper
街 /まち/ A1	noun - town/street
描く /えがく/ B1	verb - to draw/depict

Key Grammar Structures

• 行き先は誰も知らない

  ➔ Use of the particle 'は' to mark the topic, combined with '知らない' (negative form of '知る') to express 'do not know'.

  ➔ The particle **'は'** emphasizes the topic of the sentence, here 'destination'. The verb **'知らない'** is a negative form meaning **'do not know'**.

• 熱も冷めたアスファルトの上

  ➔ Use of the adjective '冷めた' (past tense of '冷める') to describe '熱' (heat) that has cooled, modifying 'アスファルト'.

  ➔ The adjective **'冷めた'** describes something that has **'cooled'**. It is the past tense of **'冷める'**, and it modifies the noun **'アスファルト'** (asphalt).

• 暮れていく時間が夜を切なくさせるよ

  ➔ Use of the verb '暮れていく' (from '暮れる') in te-iku form to express 'gradually dusk/fade'; '時間が' (subject marker) indicates 'time'.

  ➔ The phrase **'暮れていく'** uses the te-iku form to indicate **'gradually'** happening, in this case, **'dusk'** or **'fading'**. The particle **'が'** marks **'時間'** (time) as the subject.

• live in the moment

  ➔ Imperative or exhortative use of the phrase to encourage mindfulness; noun phrase acting as an imperative sentence.

  ➔ This phrase is an imperative or motivational expression encouraging someone to **'focus on the present'** rather than dwelling on the past or future.

• さあさ 旅立とう

  ➔ Use of casual expression 'さあさ' to encourage action; volitional form '旅立とう' of '旅立つ' (to set out/go on a journey) expressing 'Let's depart'.

  ➔ The phrase **'さあさ 旅立とう'** combines an encouraging interjection with a volitional form of **'to depart'**, inviting group action or embarking on a journey.