Laughter – Bilingual Lyrics Japanese/English

• By: Official髭男dism

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a linguistic journey with Official髭男dism's "Laughter"! This powerful and emotive J-Pop song offers a unique window into Japanese contemporary music and lyricism. By exploring its rich narrative of self-discovery and the pursuit of true happiness, you can immerse yourself in authentic Japanese expressions and cultural nuances, making your language learning experience both enjoyable and deeply meaningful. Its evocative lyrics and vibrant sound make it a special piece for any language learner.

[English]

Even when I look into the mirror, I can't find a single feather

I can hear the urgent chirping of a bird longing for the sky

I've decided to break free from this city that feels like iron bars, right now

I'll accept only the feelings that try to hold me back, thank you very much

The things I might lose and the things I might give up all seem to shine brightly

Weighing it all, I had thrown away the right to regret my own choices

Do my wings move? Can I really fly?

Without saying yes or no, I was looking straight up at the sky

The bird's name is Laughter, it broke the cage

Not yes or no, just the voice excitedly wanting to fly

I overcame the self that hugged my knees until yesterday, and Laughter kept singing today

A song to declare victory over myself

...

The true righteousness is questioned by the strength of the wind

Sometimes I stray from the path I should take and wander into the routes of other birds

In the turbulence, I search for the shimmering particles of light, look

Even if it’s a fake, I’ll try to create what’s right for me

I’ll cherish it

I want to be someone who can always be proud of the present, not a person of character or success

Holding onto such hope, I want to draw a vision of the future and live without letting go

Can you see reality? Can you guarantee it?

Carrying the past where I was stuck unable to say yes or no

Laughter rode on my back and overturned expectations

It’s not about the goals or distances, but the voice that resonated constantly

That light was the one I used as a searchlight on lonely nights, I finally realized now

In unprecedented heavy rain, even an umbrella is useless, yet my heart grows warm

Stronger than the roar of the sea, faster than lightning, I flap my wings aiming for the future

...

Do my wings move? Can I really fly?

Without saying yes or no, I was looking straight up at the sky

The bird's name is Laughter, it broke the cage

Not yes or no, just the voice excitedly wanting to fly

I overcame the self that hugged my knees until yesterday, and Laughter kept singing today

A song to declare victory over myself

...

[Japanese]

鏡の中を覗いても 羽根ひとつも見つからないけど

空を待ち焦がれた 鳥の急かすような囀りが聞こえる

鉄格子みたいな街を抜け出す事に決めたよ 今

それを引き留める言葉も 気持ちだけ受け取るよ どうも有難う

失うものや 諦めるものは 確かにどれも輝いて見えるけど

秤にかけた 自分で選んだ 悔やむ権利も捨て去ってた

翼は動きますか？本当に飛べますか？

YesもNoも言わずに真っ直ぐに空を見てた

鳥の名前はラフター ケージを壊した

YesでもNoでもなくて 飛びたいとはしゃいでる声だけで

膝を抱えた昨日までの自分を 乗り越えたラフター 今日も歌い続けた

自分自身に勝利を告げるための歌

本当の正しさってものを 風の強さに問い詰められて

行くべき道を逸れて 他の鳥の航路へ迷い込むこともある

乱気流の中でさざめく 光の粒を探して ほら

たとえ紛い物だったとしても 自分にとっての正しさを

創造してみるよ 大事にするよ

人格者ではなく 成功者でもなく いつでも今を誇れる人で在りたい

そんな希望抱き 未来図を描き 手放さず生きていたいだけ

現実は見えますか？保証は出来ますか？

YesもNoも言えずに答えに詰まっていた過去を

背に乗せたラフター 予想を覆した

ゴールや距離ではなくて 絶えず響いてた声こそが

孤独な夜にサーチライトにしてた あの光だった 今やっと気付いた

前例のない大雨に 傘も意味を為さない それでも胸は熱くなって

海鳴りよりも強く 稲妻よりも速く 羽ばたいて前途を目指して

翼は動きますか？本当に飛べますか？

YesもNoも言わずに真っ直ぐに空を見てた

鳥の名前はラフター ケージを壊した

YesでもNoでもなくて 飛びたいとはしゃいでる声だけで

膝を抱えた昨日までの自分を 乗り越えたラフター 今日も歌い続けた

自分自身に勝利を告げるための歌

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
鏡 (kagami) /ka̠ɡa̠mi/ A2	noun - mirror
羽根 (hane) /ha̠ne̞/ A2	noun - feather; wing
空 (sora) /so̞ɾa̠/ A1	noun - sky
鳥 (tori) /to̞ɾi/ A2	noun - bird
声 (koe) /ko̞e̞/ A1	noun - voice
街 (machi) /ma̠t͡ɕi/ A1	noun - town, city
決める (kimeru) /kime̞ɾɯ/ A2	verb - to decide
言葉 (kotoba) /ko̞to̞ba̠/ A2	noun - word, language
気持ち (kimochi) /kʲimo̞t͡ɕi/ A2	noun - feeling, sensation
失う (ushinau) /ɯɕinaɯ/ B1	verb - to lose
諦める (akirameru) /a̠kiɾa̠me̞ɾɯ/ B1	verb - to give up
輝く (kagayaku) /ka̠ɡa̠ja̠kɯ/ B2	verb - to shine, to sparkle
翼 (tsubasa) /t͡sɯba̠sa̠/ B1	noun - wing
飛ぶ (tobu) /to̞bɯ/ A2	verb - to fly
自分 (jibun) /d͡ʑibɯ̃/ A1	noun - oneself
勝利 (shōri) /ʃoːɾi/ B2	noun - victory, triumph

Key Grammar Structures

• 空を待ち焦がれた

  ➔ The verb form "待ち焦がれた" is the past tense of "待ち焦がれる," expressing longing or eagerly waiting

  ➔ This form uses the "ta" form (past tense) of the verb to indicate a completed feeling of longing

• 翼は動きますか？

  ➔ Question using the verb "動きます" in the polite present tense with the question particle "か"

  ➔ This is a polite question form, asking if the wings "move" or "can move"

• 自分自身に勝利を告げるための歌

  ➔ The "ための" pattern indicates purpose or goal, meaning "a song to declare victory to oneself"

  ➔ This structure shows that the song's purpose is to declare victory to oneself

• 胸は熱くなって

  ➔ The verb "なる" in the te-form "なって" is used to indicate a change or becoming a certain state

  ➔ This form uses the te-form of "なる" to show a transition to feeling hot in the chest

• 保証は出来ますか？

  ➔ Question using the potential form "出来ます" to ask "Can you" or "Are you able to" guarantee?

  ➔ This form uses the potential form "出来ます" to ask if the person is capable of providing a guarantee

• 狂気の中でさざめく光の粒を探して

  ➔ The verb "探して" is the te-form of "探す" used here to connect to the ongoing action of "searching"

  ➔ This uses the te-form of "探す" to link the ongoing search for light particles amidst chaos

• 自分で選んだ

  ➔ The verb "選んだ" is the past tense of "選ぶ," indicating a previous choice made by oneself

  ➔ This form is the past tense of "選ぶ" to show the choice made independently in the past