涙サプライズ – Bilingual Lyrics Japanese/English

• By: AKB48
• Album: 12thシングル

Lyrics & Translation

Thinking of learning Japanese? Why not start with a song that's all about celebration! AKB48's "Namida Surprise!" is a fun and heartwarming tune perfect for birthdays. The lyrics tell a sweet story of friendship and are full of common, everyday vocabulary and expressions that are great for beginners. Plus, its catchy melody and cheerful vibe will surely make your language learning journey an enjoyable one!

[English]

When the school bell rings to end class,

Suddenly, I blindfold you,

Without a word, I grab your arm,

And take you away to the gymnasium.

Near the basketball goal,

You stand there looking a little anxious.

When asked, 'What are you doing?',

You hesitate, not answering.

Classmates gather around,

Secretly, we've prepared everything.

Can I take off your mask now?

That's the signal—everyone together,

To sound the crackers.

3! 2! 1! 0!

Happy! Happy birthday!

Blow out the candles on the cake,

With a deep breath, go ahead and blow.

Let’s start your special birthday party.

Happy! Happy birthday!

Mission accomplished!

I remembered your birthday,

And so many friends singing for you.

Tears of a surprise on your cheek.

Let's toast with paper cups.

Today, you are the star.

Receive everyone's feelings.

A friendship keepsake gift.

This is your only seventeen.

Summer where cicadas' voices pour down.

Taking pictures together while making peace signs,

The photos become a time capsule.

Living in the corner of this vast world,

Sharing the same era.

This moment might be your youth.

Perhaps in some distant future,

You will remember.

3! 2! 1! 0!

Happy! Happy birthday!

Wishing you a wonderful year!

Just one thing—becoming an adult today,

And spend it in your own special way.

Happy! Happy birthday!

You're not alone.

Even when facing tough times,

See, we’re all right here beside you.

Tears of a surprise from smiles.

Happy! Happy birthday!

Blow out the cake candles with a deep breath.

Go on, blow them out!

And reach happiness beyond...

Happy! Happy birthday!

Your dreams are still in progress.

The future ahead looks bright,

So take that first step and start walking.

Tears of a surprise on your cheek.

Shining tears of a surprise.

Happy! Happy birthday!

Good luck to you!

Together, let's say congratulations!

With love, happy birthday!

Congratulations with all my heart!

Good luck to you!

Hold you tight, happy birthday!

And lastly, one more time—happy birthday!

[Japanese]

授業終わるベルが鳴ったら

ふいに君を目隠しして

有無言わさず 腕を掴んで

連れ去る体育館

バスケットボール ゴール辺り

不安そうに 君は立たされ

「何するの？」って聞かれたけど

焦らして答えない

クラスメイトが集まって

準備したのさ こっそり

アイマスクを外していい

それが合図だ みんな一緒に

鳴らすクラッカー

3！ 2！ 1！ 0!

Happy! Happy birthday

ケーキのキャンドルを

一息で さあ 吹き消せよ

君のためのパーティー始めよう

Happy! Happy birthday

作戦は大成功

誕生日 覚えてたのさ

こんな大勢の 友達が歌ってる

君の頬に 涙サプライズ

紙のカップで乾杯しよう

今日の主役は君なんだ

みんなの気持ち 受け取ってよ

寄せ書きプレゼント

たった一度のセブンティーンさ

蝉の声が降り注ぐ夏

ピースしながら みんなで撮った

写真は タイムカプセル

広い世界の片隅で

同じ時代を生きてる

今がきっと青春かも

遠い先で いつの日か

思い出すだろう

3！ 2！ 1！ 0!

Happy! Happy birthday

素敵な１年を！

ひとつだけ 今 大人になって

そう 君らしく大切に過ごすんだ

Happy! Happy birthday

1人きりじゃないんだよ

つらいことに 巡り合ったって

ほら 見回せば 僕たちがそばにいる

笑顔たちの 涙サプライズ

Happy! Happy birthday

ケーキのキャンドルを

一息で さあ 吹き消せよ

ああ その先のしあわせに届くように･･･

Happy! Happy birthday

まだ 夢の途中さ

目の前の 未来の道は

輝いてるよ まず一歩 歩きだそう

君の頬に 涙サプライズ

きらり光る 涙サプライズ

Happy! Happy birthday

グッドラックを君に!

声を揃えて おめでとう!

愛情込めて おめでとう!

Happy! Happy birthday

グッドラックを君に!

ぎゅっと抱きしめ おめでとう!

最後にもう一回 おめでとう!

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
授業 /じゅぎょう/ A2	noun - class, lesson
目隠し /めかくし/ B1	noun - blindfold
腕 /うで/ A1	noun - arm
掴む /つかむ/ A2	verb - to grab, to seize
体育館 /たいいくかん/ A2	noun - gymnasium
バスケットボール /ばすけっとぼーる/ B1	noun - basketball
ゴール /ごーる/ A2	noun - goal
クラッカー /くらっかー/ B1	noun - cracker
アイマスク /あいますく/ B1	noun - eye mask
合図 /あいず/ B1	noun - signal
涙 /なみだ/ A2	noun - tear
サプライズ /さぷらいず/ B1	noun - surprise
寄せ書き /よせがき/ B1	noun - autograph
プレゼント /ぷれぜんと/ A2	noun - present
タイムカプセル /たいむかぷせる/ B1	noun - time capsule
青春 /せいしゅん/ B1	noun - youth
遠い /とおい/ A2	adjective - far
先 /さき/ A2	noun - future
思い出す /おもいだす/ B1	verb - to remember

Key Grammar Structures

• なら

  ➔ conditional 'if' (used to express conditions or suppositions)

  ➔ The phrase "授業終わるベルが鳴ったら" uses "なら" to indicate "if" the class bell rings, then... (a condition).

• 集まって

  ➔ te-form of "集まる" (to gather), used to connect clauses or indicate a sequence

  ➔ In "クラスメイトが集まって", the "て" form links the action of students gathering with subsequent events.

• 答えない

  ➔ negative form of "答える" (to answer)

  ➔ In "『何するの？』って聞かれたけど答えない", "答えない" is the negative form indicating 'not answering'.

• 一息で

  ➔ means 'in one breath', expressing doing something quickly or in a single exhalation

  ➔ In "一息で”, it indicates blowing out candles in a single breath, emphasizing quickness or completeness.

• 届くように

  ➔ volitional phrase meaning 'so that it reaches' or 'in order to reach'

  ➔ In "その先のしあわせに届くように", this phrase expresses the hope that happiness reaches beyond the present.

• きらり光る

  ➔ adjective "きらり" + verb "光る" (to shine), expressing a shining sparkle

  ➔ In "きらり光る 涙サプライズ", it depicts tears that shine brightly, metaphorically emphasizing their emotional significance.