逆行 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 謝霆鋒

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the rebellious spirit of Nicholas Tse's “逆行,” a Cantonese rock anthem that encourages listeners to defy societal norms and embrace their individuality. Through its powerful lyrics and dynamic music, this song offers a lesson in staying true to oneself and finding strength in nonconformity, making it a compelling entry point for those looking to explore the nuances of Cantonese language and culture.

[English]

If cruelty is part of the journey

I just want to let my nature free

Reply politely without understanding

If control is just a process

How can I deliberately conform?

Forgive me for not submitting

Like a vine growing on a cliff

Able to face difficulties again, not caring about the world—just applause

Like stone—weathered by storms along the way

Yet still evolving stubbornly, not asking for help—who appreciates?

Why define me?

The world shouldn't have only one kind of outcome

What does it matter to me?

Even if I don't receive blessings, I'm still me

No matter if thousands or millions go against the flow

I only want to keep a bit of innocent youth

Time leaves its mark—let the soul be free

Like a vine growing on a cliff

Able to face difficulties again, not caring about the world—just applause

Like stone—weathered by storms along the way

Still stubbornly evolving, not asking for help—who appreciates?

Why define me?

The world shouldn't have only one kind of outcome

What does it matter to me?

Even if I don't receive blessings, I'm still me

No matter if thousands or millions go against the flow

I only want to keep a bit of innocent youth

Despising conformity, I soar beyond the dust

Today, my shell still contains my original genes

Time leaves its mark—let the soul be free

[Chinese]

如殘酷是旅程

只想釋放天性

不懂禮貌回應

如馴服是過程

怎可刻意適應

恕我不認命

似蔓藤 懸崖生長

能迎難再上 不稀罕普世 來鼓掌

似石頭 沿途風霜

仍頑強進化 不伸手討要 誰欣賞

為什麼 定義我

世界不應該只得一種結果

用什麼 奈我何

就算聽不到祝福我亦如我

雖千百萬人 一意逆行

只想保有 年少時一點天真

歲月在烙印 放任吧靈魂

似蔓藤 懸崖生長

能迎難再上 不稀罕普世 來鼓掌

似石頭 沿途風霜

仍頑強進化 不伸手討要 誰欣賞

為什麼 定義我

世界不應該只得一種結果

用什麼 奈我何

就算聽不到祝福我亦如我

雖千百萬人 一意逆行

只想保有 年少時一點天真

不屑合群 一放絕塵

今天軀殼 仍寄存當初基因

歲月在烙印 放任吧靈魂

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
残酷 (cánkù) /tsʰǎn kʰû/ B2	adjective - cruel, ruthless
旅程 (lǚchéng) /ly̌ tʂʰə̌ŋ/ B1	noun - journey, trip
释放 (shìfàng) /ʂî fâŋ/ B2	verb - to release, to liberate
天性 (tiānxìng) /tʰi̯ɛn ɕîŋ/ B2	noun - natural disposition, inherent nature
礼貌 (lǐmào) /lǐ mâʊ/ A2	noun - politeness, courtesy
驯服 (xùnfú) /ɕy̌n fǔ/ B2	verb - to tame, to subdue
刻意 (kèyì) /kʰɤ̂ î/ B2	adverb - deliberately, intentionally
适应 (shìyìng) /ʂî îŋ/ B1	verb - to adapt, to adjust
认命 (rènmìng) /rɤ̂n mîŋ/ B2	verb - to accept one's fate, to resign oneself
蔓藤 (mànténg) /mân tʰə̌ŋ/ B1	noun - vine, creeper
悬崖 (xuányá) /ɕɥɛ̌n jǎ/ B2	noun - cliff, precipice
生长 (shēngzhǎng) /ʂə́ŋ ʈʂǎŋ/ A2	verb - to grow, to spring up
顽强 (wánqiáng) /wǎn tɕʰjǎŋ/ B2	adjective - tenacious, indomitable
进化 (jìnhuà) /tɕîn xwâ/ B2	verb - to evolve
定义 (dìngyì) /tîŋ î/ B1	verb - to define
祝福 (zhùfú) /ʈʂû fǔ/ A2	verb - to bless
逆行 (nìxíng) /nî ɕǐŋ/ B2	verb - to go against the trend, to move in the opposite direction
保有 (bǎoyǒu) /pǎʊ jǒʊ/ B2	verb - to retain, to possess
天真 (tiānzhēn) /tʰi̯ɛn ʈʂə́n/ B1	adjective - innocent, naive
烙印 (làoyìn) /lâʊ în/ B2	noun - brand, imprint
放任 (fàngrèn) /fâŋ rɤ̂n/ B2	verb - to let go, to indulge
灵魂 (línghún) /lǐŋ xwə̌n/ B1	noun - soul, spirit
不屑 (búxiè) /pǔ ɕjɛ̂/ B2	verb - to disdain, to scorn
躯壳 (qūqiào) /tɕʰy tɕʰjâʊ/ C1	noun - body, husk, shell (metaphorically)
基因 (jīyīn) /tɕí ín/ B2	noun - gene