U – Bilingual Lyrics Japanese/English

• By: Belle
• Album: 竜とそばかすの姫

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music can be a deeply enriching experience, and 'U' from the film *Belle* is a perfect gateway to Japanese. The song's blend of modern electronic beats with heartfelt, introspective lyrics offers a unique window into contemporary Japanese music and storytelling. By exploring the lyrics, you can learn about themes of self-discovery and the nuances of expressing complex emotions in Japanese. What makes 'U' special is its powerful connection to the film's narrative, allowing you to not only learn a language but also to immerse yourself in a captivating story of finding your true voice.

[English]

La la la, la la la, no one knows

I’m running through this nameless now

Reaching out to that crescent moon

La la la, la la la, I want to know you

Even if I welcome a timid morning without a voice, no matter how many times

The moment the umbilical cord was cut with a snap

It feels like I’ve lost my way in the world

If the scenery reflected in my eyes laughs sadly

Close your eyes without fear and take a look

Come on, everyone, this way, to where the drums are sounding

Come on, stamp your heels, to where your heart dances

Come on, jump onto the mirage, mastering this upside-down world

La la la, la la la, it won’t stop

A curse wishing to know love

Transcending time, from morning to night

La la la, la la la, I want to know you

So that I don’t miss a single thing, time won’t wait for anyone

A cruel fate, an inescapable destiny

Without a moment to think, a sandstorm rushes in

Even if I can’t see ahead, I want to believe in you

If I step forward without fear

Come on, everyone, this way, to where the drums are sounding

Come on, stamp your heels, to where your heart dances

Come on, everyone, this way, to where the heartbeat is sounding

Come on, stamp your heels, to where your heart dances

Come on, jump onto the flying whale, dance through this upside-down world

La la la, la la la, no one knows

I’m running through this nameless now

Reaching out to that crescent moon

La la la, la la la, I want to know you

Even if I welcome a timid morning without a voice

No matter how many times

If it’s a dream, don’t wake me up, because reality is just too harsh

Time won’t wait for anyone

...

[Japanese]

ララライ ララライ 誰も知らない

名も無い今を 駆けて行くの

あの三日月へ 手を伸ばして

ララライ ララライ 君を知りたい

声にならない 臆病な朝を たとえ何度迎えようとも

臍の緒がパチンと切られたその瞬間

世界とはぐれてしまったみたいだ

眼に映る景色が悲しく笑うなら

恐れず瞼を閉じてごらん

さぁ 皆さんこちらへ どうぞ太鼓の鳴る方へ

さぁ 踵を打ち鳴らせ どうぞ心の踊る方へ

さぁ 蜃気楼に飛び乗って さかしまな世界乗り熟して

ララライ ララライ 止まない

愛を知りたいと 願う御呪い

時を超えて 朝から夜まで

ララライ ララライ 君を知りたい

何一つ見逃さぬように 時は誰も待ってくれないの

残酷な運命が 抗えぬ宿命が

考える間もなく 押し寄せ砂嵐で

前が見えなくたって 君を信じてみたいの

恐れずに一歩踏み出したら

さぁ 皆さんこちらへ どうぞ太鼓の鳴る方へ

さぁ 踵を打ち鳴らせ どうぞ心の踊る方へ

さぁ 皆さんこちらへ どうぞ鼓動の鳴る方へ

さぁ 踵を打ち鳴らせ どうぞ心の踊る方へ

さぁ 空飛ぶ鯨に飛び乗って さかしまな世界踊り尽くせ

ララライ ララライ 誰も知らない

名も無い今を 駆けてゆくの

あの三日月へ 手を伸ばして

ララライ ララライ 君を知りたい

声にならない 臆病な朝を

例え何度迎えようとも

夢ならば 醒めないで 現実なんてさ 身も蓋もないから

時は誰も待ってくれないの

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
知る (shiru) /ɕiɾɯ/ A1	verb - to know
行く (iku) /ikɯ/ A1	verb - to go
手 (te) /te/ A1	noun - hand
声 (koe) /ko̞e/ A2	noun - voice
朝 (asa) /äsa/ A1	noun - morning
世界 (sekai) /se̞ka̠i/ A2	noun - world
眼 (me) /me/ A2	noun - eye
心 (kokoro) /koꜜkoɾo/ A2	noun - heart, mind
愛 (ai) /äi/ A2	noun - love
夜 (yoru) /jo̞ɾɯ/ A1	noun - night
夢 (yume) /jɯme/ A2	noun - dream
現実 (genjitsu) /ɡe̞ɲd͡ʑit͡sɨ/ B1	noun - reality
運命 (unmei) /ɯmmẽː/ B2	noun - fate, destiny
宿命 (shukumei) /ɕɯkɯmeː/ B2	noun - fate, destiny
恐れ (osore) /o̞so̞ɾe̞/ B1	noun - fear

Key Grammar Structures

• 名も無い今を 駆けて行くの

  ➔ Noun + を + Verb (て-form) + 行く

  ➔ The phrase uses the structure where the noun "今" (now) is the object of the verb "駆けて行く" (to run away), indicating an action directed towards the present.

• 恐れずに一歩踏み出したら

  ➔ Verb (た-form) + ら

  ➔ This structure indicates a conditional situation, where if one "steps forward" (踏み出す), it implies a willingness to act without fear.

• 時は誰も待ってくれないの

  ➔ Noun + は + Verb (て-form) + くれない

  ➔ This structure emphasizes that time (時) does not wait for anyone, highlighting the inevitability of time passing.

• さぁ 皆さんこちらへ

  ➔ Imperative form + 皆さん

  ➔ The use of the imperative form "さぁ" (come on) invites everyone (皆さん) to come over, creating a sense of urgency and inclusiveness.

• 夢ならば 醒めないで

  ➔ Noun + ならば + Verb (ないで)

  ➔ This structure expresses a hypothetical situation, suggesting that if it is a dream (夢), one should not wake up (醒めないで).

• 残酷な運命が 抗えぬ宿命が

  ➔ Adjective + な + Noun + が

  ➔ This structure uses an adjective (残酷な) to describe a noun (運命), indicating a contrast or opposition with another noun (宿命) that follows.

• 前が見えなくたって 君を信じてみたいの

  ➔ Verb (ない-form) + たって

  ➔ This structure indicates that even if one cannot see ahead (見えなく), there is still a desire to believe in someone (君).