披風 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 陳奕迅

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a powerful tool, and Eason Chan's '披風' (Cape) is a perfect song for Mandarin learners. Its clear, emotive vocals and slower tempo make it easy to follow the lyrics, which are filled with poetic and comforting phrases. The song's universal message of support and empathy allows you to connect with the language on an emotional level, making the learning process more meaningful and memorable. Explore the beauty of Mandarin through this touching ballad.

[English]

You think I belong to the sky, but I feel like you're the hero.

Everyone’s life is different, so we’re meant to meet.

Even ordinary people need dreams just the same.

Walking forward alone, looking back now and then, how long has it been since I felt like a child?

Humans can't fly, so we keep trying to walk.

But no one said we can't look at the sky.

Sew a cape in your heart.

Pretend you're lying on a cloud, feeling so relaxed.

No matter how tough it gets, at least you can grit your teeth.

Waiting for the wind that might lift you up.

An old man crossing the street, a little girl with tears in her eyes.

It seems everyone moves forward with tears in their eyes.

What greatness can reverse time to run back to the streets you grew up in?

Who said a word that made you dive ahead without hesitation?

Humans can't fly, so we keep trying to walk.

But no one said we can't look at the sky.

Sew a cape in your heart.

Pretend you're lying on a cloud, feeling so relaxed.

No matter how tough it gets, at least you can grit your teeth.

Waiting for the wind that might lift you up.

...

Humans can't fly, so we learn to walk.

Don’t let your spirits fall and lose contact.

I understand you, having bad dreams.

Like a lone ranger who lost his cape.

Wanting to fly but can't, not impressive at all.

Hey, don’t be afraid, there's still clear skies.

...

[Chinese]

你以為我屬於天空 我感覺你才是英雄

每個人的命當然不同 所以要相逢

多平凡的人也一樣很需要夢

孤單向前走 偶爾回頭看 沒當孩子有多久

人不能飛 於是努力走

但沒人說不准看天空

在心裡縫一張披風

假裝躺在雲上好輕鬆

再辛苦至少可以咬咬牙

去等可能的風為誰騰空

過馬路的白髮老頭 小女孩你雙眼哭紅

人類似乎都有點相同 帶著淚移動

多偉大能逆轉時空 跑回你長大的巷弄?

誰的一句話讓你埋頭往前衝?

人不能飛 於是努力走

但沒人說不准看天空

在心裡縫一張披風

假裝躺在雲上好輕鬆

再辛苦至少可以咬咬牙

去等可能的風

人不能飛 於是才學走

別心一灰就失去聯絡

我懂你呀 做了惡夢

像獨行俠搞丟了披風

想飛 飛不動 也不威風

嘿 別怕 還有晴空

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
天空 (tiānkōng) /tʰi̯ɛn.kʰʊŋ/ A1	noun - sky
英雄 (yīngxióng) /iŋ.ɕi̯ʊŋ/ B1	noun - hero
夢 (mèng) /məŋ/ A1	noun - dream verb - to dream
孤單 (gūdān) /kú.tán/ B1	adjective - lonely
孩子 (háizi) /xǎi.tsɨ/ A1	noun - child
飛 (fēi) /féi/ A1	verb - to fly
努力 (nǔlì) /nù.lî/ B1	adjective - hardworking verb - to make effort
披風 (pīfēng) /pʰí.fɤŋ/ B2	noun - cape
雲 (yún) /y̌n/ A2	noun - cloud
輕鬆 (qīngsōng) /t͡ɕʰiŋ.sʊŋ/ B1	adjective - relaxed, easy
辛苦 (xīnkǔ) /ɕín.kʰù/ B1	adjective - hard, toilsome
牙 (yá) /jǎ/ A1	noun - tooth
風 (fēng) /fɤŋ/ A1	noun - wind
哭 (kū) /kʰú/ A1	verb - to cry
晴空 (qíngkōng) /t͡ɕʰiŋ.kʰʊŋ/ B2	noun - clear sky
聯絡 (liánluò) /ljěn.lwô/ B1	verb - to contact
惡夢 (èmèng) /ɤ̂.məŋ/ B1	noun - nightmare

Key Grammar Structures

• 你以為我屬於天空

  ➔ Using 以為 to express 'to think' or 'to assume' - imperfect perception

  ➔ The phrase "你以為我屬於天空" uses 以為 to indicate the speaker's mistaken assumption or perception.

• 人不能飛，於是努力走

  ➔ Using 於是 to indicate 'therefore' or 'as a result' following a prior statement

  ➔ The phrase "人不能飛，於是努力走" uses 於是 to show the consequence or result of the first clause.

• 在心裡縫一張披風

  ➔ Using 在 to indicate location or state, combined with 縫 to mean 'sew/patch' metaphorically

  ➔ The phrase "在心裡縫一張披風" metaphorically means to 'mentally prepare' or 'heal oneself' by creating a symbolic 'cape' inside

• 再辛苦至少可以咬咬牙

  ➔ Using 再 to mean 'again' or 'more' in a comparative sense, indicating 'even if difficult'

  ➔ The phrase "再辛苦至少可以咬咬牙" uses 再 to express 'even if it is tough, you can still grit your teeth and endure.'

• 再學走 別心一灰就失去聯絡

  ➔ Using 再 to mean 'again' or 'further', and 別 to give a negative command or advise not to

  ➔ The phrase "再學走 別心一灰就失去聯絡" encourages to keep trying to learn to walk again and advises not to become discouraged easily.