ノンフィクションズ – Bilingual Lyrics Japanese/English

• By: Da-iCE

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the world of Japanese language and culture with Da-iCE's inspiring song, "Nonfictions"! As the 2025 theme for Japan's beloved high school baseball tournament, "Netto Koshien," this track offers a unique window into Japanese youth spirit and the language used to express passion, teamwork, and resilience. Listen closely for how subtle baseball terminology is woven into the lyrics, providing an engaging way to pick up new vocabulary and appreciate the poetic nuances of Japanese. Its uplifting melody and powerful message about embracing your true story make it a special song for anyone looking to connect with authentic Japanese emotion and language.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
フィクション /fikkuɴɕoɴ/ A2	noun - fiction; a literary genre that includes novels and short stories, or something imagined/invented.
ノンフィクション /noɴfikkuɴɕoɴ/ B1	noun - non-fiction; writing that is based on facts, real events, and real people, such as biography or history.
超える /koeɾɯ/ B1	verb - to exceed; to go beyond; to surpass; to cross over (a barrier, limit, etc.)
駆け抜ける /kake̞nɯke̞ɾɯ/ B2	verb - to run through; to dash through (e.g., a crowd, a period of time); to rush past.
現実味 /ge̞ɴʑit͡sɯmʲi/ B2	noun - sense of reality; realistic quality; verisimilitude.
出し切る /daɕikiɾɯ/ B2	verb - to exert oneself to the utmost; to give one's all; to exhaust (e.g., one's strength, resources).
研ぎ澄ます /toɡisɯmasɯ/ C1	verb - to sharpen (a blade); to refine (one's senses, skills); to hone; to make acute.
煌めく /kiɾame̞kɯ/ B2	verb - to glitter; to sparkle; to twinkle; to shimmer; to glisten.
想い /omoi/ B1	noun - feelings; thoughts; emotions; desires; wishes; affections.
延長線 /e̞ɴtɕoːse̞ɴ/ B2	noun - extension line (e.g., in geometry); (figurative) continuation; prolongation; a logical extension of something.
ドラマ /do̞ɾama/ A2	noun - drama; play; television drama; a dramatic series or situation.
得意 /tokui/ B1	noun - one's forte; strong point; specialty; being good at something. adjective - good at; proficient in.
不得意 /futokui/ B1	noun - one's weak point; being poor at something; not being one's forte. adjective - poor at; not good at.
勝ち /katɕi/ B1	noun - victory; win; triumph; success.
抜け道 /nɯkemʲitɕi/ B2	noun - escape route; secret path; bypass; loophole; dodge.
内核 /naikakɯ/ C1	noun - inner core (e.g., of the earth, a cell); (figurative) core; essence; fundamental part.
打たれ強い /ɯtaɾed͡zɯjoi/ B2	adjective - resilient; tough; able to take a beating (literally or figuratively); resistant to criticism or setbacks.
どん底 /doɴzoko/ B2	noun - rock bottom; the very bottom; lowest depths; absolute lowest point.
大逆転 /daiɡjakɯte̞ɴ/ C1	noun - great comeback; major reversal; dramatic turnaround; big upset.
宝物 /takaɾamono/ B1	noun - treasure; prized possession; something very valuable or cherished.

Key Grammar Structures

• フィクションを超えてく

  ➔ Verb te-form + いく (iku) / くる (kuru)

  ➔ Indicates an action that "moves away from the speaker" or "continues into the future." "~ていく" implies movement away or continuation. "超えてく" is a contracted form of "超えていく". In "フィクションを"**超えてく**", it means 'to go beyond fiction' and continue doing so or moving towards that state.

• 外殻破り捨ててみて

  ➔ Verb te-form + みる (miru)

  ➔ Expresses trying to do something. In this sentence, "外殻破り"**捨ててみて**" encourages trying a new action: 'try breaking and discarding the outer shell'.

• 下手打っても投げないで

  ➔ Verb te-form + も (mo) / Noun/Na-adj + でも (demo)

  ➔ Means "even if/though" and expresses a concessive condition. It indicates that the subsequent event will occur (or not occur) regardless of the situation or condition. "下手打っ"**ても**" means 'even if you make a mistake/fail'.

• 下手打っても投げないで

  ➔ Verb negative form + で (de)

  ➔ Attaches to the negative form of a verb to express prohibition or a request "please don't do". While less polite than "~ないでください", it is commonly used in casual settings among friends. In "投げ"**ないで**", it means 'don't throw (it away)'.

• 他が為にサイレンは鳴る

  ➔ Noun + が為に (gatame ni)

  ➔ A literary expression meaning "for the sake of" or "for the purpose of". It is used when something is done for a certain purpose or benefit. It is a more formal expression; in modern Japanese, "~のために (no tame ni)" is more common. "他"**が為に**" means 'for the sake of others'.

• ここで今を愛そう

  ➔ Verb volitional form (~yō / ~ō)

  ➔ Expresses an invitation or suggestion ("let's do") or strong personal intention ("I intend to do"). In this sentence, "愛"**そう**" carries the nuance of a suggestion or resolve to 'cherish this very moment'.

• 内核固めちゃえば

  ➔ Verb te-form + ちゃえば (chaeba)

  ➔ A colloquial contracted form of "~てしまえば" (te shimaeba). It indicates a conditional (if) clause where an action is completed, often with a nuance of completion, regret, or achieving a desired/undesired state. "固め"**ちゃえば**" means 'if you solidify (it) completely/firmly (then...)'.

• イレギュラーばかりの日々でも

  ➔ Noun + ばかり (bakari)

  ➔ Means "nothing but", "only", or "full of", emphasizing that something is present in very large quantities or is the sole thing present. In "イレギュラー"**ばかり**の**日々でも**", it means 'even in days full of irregularities'.

• ノンフィクションにドラマがあるのさ

  ➔ Clause + のさ (no sa) / んだ (nda)

  ➔ Attaches to a clause to provide explanation, reason, or emphasis. "のさ" is a colloquial and typically masculine form of "のだ". It adds a nuance of conviction, persuasion, or seeking agreement from the listener. In "ノンフィクションにドラマがある"**のさ**", it emphasizes that 'there *is* drama in non-fiction'.

• 涙ごと全て

  ➔ Noun + ごと (goto)

  ➔ Means "including", "together with", or "whole". It expresses handling an entire thing, including all its details or elements, as a single unit. In "涙"**ごと**"全て", it means 'everything, including tears'.