逆光 – Bilingual Lyrics Japanese/English

• By: 坂本真綾

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the depths of Japanese through Maaya Sakamoto's powerful song, "逆光" (Gyakko). Originally crafted for the popular game "Fate/Grand Order," this song offers a blend of compelling lyrics and dynamic music that captures the essence of facing adversity and finding inner strength, making it an engaging way to learn and appreciate the nuances of the language .

[English]

I was feeling down

Every time I wake up

There’s the same ceiling above me

Reminding me this is real life

There’s no way out here

How do I end this?

A story where neither creation nor destruction ever truly ends

If fate is already decided

I swore I wouldn’t imagine a future I couldn’t choose

In the brink of sleep, I see gentle dreams

Knowing they’re just illusions

Running toward you

My fingers will touch you soon

And I’ll wake up smiling

...

I don’t even know what I truly want

Even though I’m starving for it

If I just stay still, I’ll be trapped in the past

I have no choice but to go forward

It’s said that everyone’s born equal

But that’s not something as innocent as it sounds

The pain lasts only a moment, then I get used to it

It’s easier to accept it that way

On the edge of despair

Calling out the name of someone dear

Like distant thunder

Still fighting

On the other side of the storm

I just hope it reaches only you

...

Breaking the silence

Overcoming the barriers

Run toward the brighter side

Through the rain’s baptism

And the muddy roads

Bathed in backlight

Get covered in mud

I am right here

Running toward you

My fingers will touch soon

And I’ll choose the future I longed for

On the edge of despair

Calling out the name of someone dear

Like distant thunder

Still fighting

On the other side of the storm

I hope it reaches only you

...

[Japanese]

憂鬱だった

いつも目覚めると

同じ天井があって

現実だって思い知らされる

ここには出口がない

どうやって終わらせるの

完成も崩壊も永遠におとずれない物語

もう運命が決まってるなら

選べなかった未来は想像しないと誓ったはずなのに

まどろみの淵で私は優しい夢を見る

幻と知りながら

あなたに駆け寄って

もうすぐ指がふれる

そして微笑みながら目覚めるの

本当に欲しいものがわからない

こんなに飢えているのに

じっとしてたら過去にとらわれる

どうしても行くしかない

人は生まれながら誰もが平等って

簡単に言えるほど無邪気じゃない

痛むのは一瞬だけ すぐに慣れてしまうわ

そう割り切れたほうがずっとラクだった

絶望のほとり

懐かしい人の名を叫ぶ

それは遠雷のように

まだ闘ってると

嵐の向こう側にいると

あなただけに届けばいい

沈黙を破り

障壁を越えて

眩しすぎる向こう側へ 走れ

雨の洗礼と

ぬかるんだ道

逆光浴びて

泥だらけになれ

私はここにいる

あなたに駆け寄って

もうすぐ指が触れる

そして選びたかった未来を

絶望のほとり

懐かしい人の名を叫ぶ

それは遠雷のように

まだ闘ってると

嵐の向こう側にいると

あなただけに届けばいい

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
憂鬱 /yūutsu/ B2	noun - melancholy
現実 /genjitsu/ B1	noun - reality
運命 /unmei/ B2	noun - destiny
未来 /mirai/ B1	noun - future
夢 /yume/ A2	noun - dream
痛む /itamu/ B2	verb - to hurt
絶望 /zetsubō/ B2	noun - despair
闘う /tatakau/ B2	verb - to fight
眩しい /mabushii/ B1	adjective - dazzling
駆け寄る /kakeyoru/ B2	verb - to run up to
触れる /fureru/ A2	verb - to touch
洗礼 /senrei/ B2	noun - baptism
泥 /doro/ A1	noun - mud
出口 /deguchi/ B1	noun - exit
物語 /monogatari/ B1	noun - story

Key Grammar Structures

• なら

  ➔ 'なら' is used for conditional 'if' statements, indicating a condition or supposition.

  ➔ Expresses a condition or supposition, often translated as 'if' in English.

• も

  ➔ 'も' is used as an inclusive particle meaning 'also' or 'even'.

  ➔ Indicates inclusion or emphasis, meaning 'also' or 'even'.

• だけ

  ➔ 'だけ' expresses 'only' or 'just', used to limit or specify something.

  ➔ Limits the scope, meaning 'only' or 'just'.

• ように

  ➔ 'ように' expresses manner or purpose, often translated as 'so that' or 'like'.

  ➔ Indicates manner, purpose, or goal, often translated as 'so that' or 'like'.

• と

  ➔ 'と' is used as a quotative or conditional particle meaning 'and', 'with', or 'if' in certain contexts.

  ➔ Functions as a quotative or conditional particle, indicating 'and', 'with', or 'if'.

• だって

  ➔ 'だって' is used to express 'even' or 'because', often to emphasize or justify.

  ➔ Expresses 'even' or 'because', often to emphasize or justify a statement.

• に

  ➔ 'に' is a particle indicating direction, point in time, or target of action.

  ➔ Indicates direction, point in time, or target of an action.