涙の正体 – Bilingual Lyrics Japanese/English

• By: SUPER BEAVER
• Album: 片想い / 涙の正体

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the heartfelt world of SUPER BEAVER's "Namida no Shōtai," a powerful song that served as the theme for the NHK drama "Vanilla na Mainichi." This emotional rock ballad beautifully explores the depth of human feelings and the profound meaning behind tears. By exploring its rich, relatable lyrics, you can gain a deeper understanding of Japanese expressions related to emotions and self-discovery. The song's evocative imagery and sincere message make it a compelling piece for language learners eager to connect with authentic Japanese music.

[English]

Things I couldn't tell anyone

Things I want someone to discover about me

Maybe I just need one more push...

Holding it in is more than just weakness

I realize and I care

The side effects of kindness, ah

Is being true to yourself selfish after all?

Then, what is it to hold onto your beliefs?

I'm always wrestling with it inside

Living with serious contradictions, I suppose

People who endure restraint

Tears spilling over faster than words

There, life and your true self are

The answer is out there

The heart that cries out is the real one

Trust the true meaning behind tears

...

I couldn't let it go, I wanted to be loved

Even if everyone doesn't like me, I don't want to be disliked

I couldn't let it go, I wanted to be loved

Things I couldn't tell anyone

Is being yourself selfish after all?

Then, what am I?

Fighting inside me today as well

But remember, whose life you're living

What are you hoping for right now?

Tears burst out because I can't hold it in anymore

Behind it all, there's conflict and resolution

Your heart cries out faster than understanding

That is who you truly are

Tears come faster than words

There, life and your real self are

There is an answer

The heart that cries out is the truth

That heart is genuine

Believe in it, in the real reason behind tears

Love yourself, who you truly are

...

[Japanese]

誰にも言えなかったこと

誰かに見つかってしまいたいこと

「いっそ、あとひと押しになって」

押し殺すのは 弱さにもまして

気が付いて 気を遣えてしまう

優しさの 副作用 あぁ

あるがままじゃ わがままかな

それじゃ、信念ってなんだ？って

せめぎ合っている ずっと せめぎ合っている

真面目な矛盾を 抱えながら生きているんだろう

我慢を嗜んでいる人よ

言葉より早く こみ上げる涙

そこに人生が あなたの正体が

答えはあるんだよ

泣いてしまった その心は真実さ

信じてよ 涙の正体を

諦めきれなかった 愛されたかったんだ

全員に好かれなくても 嫌われたくもないよ

諦めきれなかった 愛されたかったんだ

誰にも言えなかったこと

あるがままじゃ わがままかな

なら、自分とはなんだ？って

せめぎ合っている 今日も せめぎ合っている

でも忘れないで 誰の日々を生きているんだよ

今、何を願っている？

堪えきれなくて 溢れ出す涙

そこには背景が 葛藤と解決が

理解より早く 泣いてしまった その心が

自分そのものだ

言葉より早く こみ上げる涙

そこに人生が あなたの正体が

答えはあるんだよ

泣いてしまった その心は

その心だけは 真実さ

信じてよ 涙の正体を

愛してよ 自分の正体を

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
涙 (namida) /na̠mʲida̠/ A1	noun - tear
正体 (shoutai) /ɕoːta̠i/ B2	noun - true character, identity
心 (kokoro) /ko̞ko̞ɾo̞/ A1	noun - heart, mind
信じる (shinjiru) /ɕĩɲd͡ʑiɾɯ/ A2	verb - to believe, to trust
諦める (akirameru) /akiɾa̠me̞ɾɯ/ B1	verb - to give up, to abandon
愛する (aisuru) /ai̯sɯɾɯ/ B1	verb - to love
言葉 (kotoba) /ko̞to̞ba̠/ A1	noun - word, language
人生 (jinsei) /d͡ʑĩɰ̃se̞ː/ A2	noun - life
願う (negau) /ne̞ɡa̠ɯ/ B1	verb - to wish, to desire
我慢 (gaman) /ɡa̠ma̠ɴ/ B2	noun - patience, endurance, self-control verb - to endure, to tolerate
矛盾 (mujun) /mɯd͡ʑɯ̃ɴ/ B2	noun - contradiction
理解 (rikai) /ɾika̠i/ B1	noun - understanding, comprehension verb - to understand, to comprehend
自分 (jibun) /d͡ʑibɯ̃/ A1	noun - oneself
大切 (taisetsu) /taise̞t͡sɨ/ A2	adjective - important, valuable
弱さ (yowasa) /joɰasa/ B1	noun - weakness

Key Grammar Structures

• 気が付いて 気を遣えてしまう

  ➔ te+も の可能形 (te+mo noun + potential form)

  ➔ The phrase shows the ability or possibility of doing something, with "気が付いて" meaning "to notice" and "気を遣えてしまう" meaning "to be able to be considerate".

• ずっと せめぎ合っている

  ➔ continuous tense using ている (te-iru)

  ➔ The phrase indicates an ongoing or continuous struggle or conflict, using the ている form to show that the action is in progress or persistent.

• 答えはあるんだよ

  ➔ existence of a reason or answer with ある + gentive + んだよ (explanatory tone)

  ➔ The phrase emphasizes the existence of an answer or reason, combining ある (to exist) with んだよ to give an explanatory or reassuring tone.

• 涙の正体を信じてよ

  ➔ imperative form + を (object marker) + 信じて (shinjite - te form of 信じる - believe)

  ➔ The imperative form "信じて" is used to request or urge someone to believe in the true nature of tears, with "を" marking the object of belief.

• 愛してよ 自分の正体を

  ➔ te-form of 愛する + よ (emphasizing or softening tone)

  ➔ The te-form of the verb "愛する" combined with よ is used to soften or emphasize a plea or declaration, asking to love oneself’s true identity.