明年今日 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 陳奕迅

Lyrics & Translation

Immerse yourself in the poignant Cantonese ballad "明年今日" by Eason Chan, a masterpiece of lyrical depth that explores the raw emotions of heartbreak and resilience. This song offers a unique window into Cantonese expression, with its rich vocabulary and evocative metaphors, making it an excellent piece for language learners to appreciate the poetic nuances and cultural sentiments embedded in Cantopop.

[English]

If this chandelier falls down

Maybe I wouldn't even exist

Even if you don't love me

There's no need to part

If right now I were seriously dazed

I wouldn't need to be loved

Forever dreaming in bed

The rest of my life, I won't feel sad anymore

People always need the courage to survive

I still make a new wish

Like learning to cope with heartbreak

Next year on this day, don't stay up worrying

The bed will change, and if we're lucky to meet again

Maybe at a friend's wedding celebration

Waiting anxiously for you to appear

Next year on this day, a year without seeing you

Who can bear to change, to leave you for sixty years

Hoping I can recognize your children

Even at parting, I can hear you say goodbye

...

People always need the courage to survive

I still make a new wish

Like learning to cope with heartbreak

Next year on this day, don't stay up worrying

The bed will change, and if we're lucky to meet again

Maybe at a friend's wedding celebration

Waiting anxiously for you to appear

Next year on this day, a year without seeing you

Who can bear to change, to leave you for sixty years

Hoping I can recognize your children

Even at parting, I can hear you say goodbye

...

In the fleeting moment of life, I meet you

And spend all my luck on that day

Only to realize then

That I once breathed the air

...

[Chinese]

若這一束吊燈傾瀉下來

或者我 已不會存在

即使你不愛

亦不需要分開

若這一刻我竟嚴重痴呆

根本不需要被愛

永遠在床上發夢

餘生都不會再悲哀

人總需要勇敢生存

我還是重新許願

例如學會 承受失戀

明年今日 別要再失眠

床褥都改變 如果有幸會面

或在同伴新婚的盛宴

惶惑地等待你出現

明年今日 未見你一年

誰捨得改變 離開你六十年

但願能認得出你的子女

臨別亦聽得到你講再見

人總需要勇敢生存

我還是重新許願

例如學會 承受失戀

明年今日 別要再失眠

床褥都改變 如果有幸會面

或在同伴新婚的盛宴

惶惑地等待你出現

明年今日 未見你一年

誰捨得改變 離開你六十年

但願能認得出你的子女

臨別亦聽得到你講再見

在有生的瞬間能遇到你

竟花光所有運氣

到這日才發現

曾呼吸過空氣

Key Grammar Structures

• 或者我 已不會存在

  ➔ Use of '或者' to indicate alternative possibilities (or, perhaps).

  ➔ '或者' introduces an alternative or possibility within the sentence.

• 即使你不愛

  ➔ Use of '即使' to express 'even if' or 'even though'.

  ➔ '即使' means 'even if' and introduces a concessive clause.

• 我還是重新許願

  ➔ Use of '還是' to indicate recurrence or a decision despite previous thoughts.

  ➔ '還是' suggests doing or deciding something again, often despite previous doubts.

• 預願

  ➔ Noun meaning 'wish' or 'vow' to express hope or intent.

  ➔ '預願' refers to a heartfelt wish or vow, often related to hopes or promises.

• 未見你一年

  ➔ Use of '未見' to indicate 'have not seen' or 'missing someone' in a time frame.

  ➔ '未見' means 'have not seen' and signifies absent feeling or missing someone over a period.

• 講再見

  ➔ Use of '講再見' meaning 'say goodbye' or 'bid farewell'.

  ➔ '講再見' means 'to speak farewell' or 'say goodbye', indicating parting.