Sakura – Bilingual Lyrics Japanese/English

• By: Ikimono-gakari

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the beautiful world of Japanese emotions with Ikimono-gakari's iconic song "Sakura." This heartfelt ballad, steeped in the cultural symbolism of cherry blossoms, offers a unique window into Japanese reflections on memory, farewells, and the bittersweet beauty of life's transient moments. Learning the lyrics will not only enhance your understanding of common Japanese vocabulary and poetic expressions but also connect you deeply with a universally cherished theme of nostalgia and hope, making it a special and enriching experience for any language learner.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
sakura /sakura/ A2	noun - cherry blossom
maichiru /maichiru/ B1	verb - to flutter down, to dance in the air and fall
yureru /yureru/ B1	verb - to sway, to tremble, to waver
omoi /omoi/ B2	noun - thought, feeling, memory
take /take/ A2	noun - height, extent
dakishimeru /dakishimeru/ B2	verb - to embrace, to hold close
kimi /kimi/ A2	noun - you (informal)
haru /haru/ A2	noun - spring
negai /negai/ B2	noun - wish, desire, hope
yume /yume/ A2	noun - dream
mieru /mieru/ B1	verb - to be visible, to be seen

Key Grammar Structures

• さくら ひらひら 舞い降りて落ちて

  ➔ Te-form + て (te) + verb

  ➔ The te-form, followed by "te", connects verbs to show a sequence of actions or a continuous action. "舞い降りて" (maiorite) means "falling down and dancing" and "落ちて" (ochite) means "falling".

• 揺れる 想いのたけを抱きしめた

  ➔ The particle を (o) after a noun and the past form of a verb.

  ➔ The particle を (o) marks the direct object of the verb. The verb 抱きしめた (dakishimeta) is in the past tense, meaning "embraced". "想いのたけ" is the object being embraced.

• 君と春に 願いしあの夢は

  ➔ Subject + particle は (wa) + Time + に (ni) + Verb (past tense) + noun

  ➔ This sentence structure highlights a topic (あの夢 - that dream) and then provides information about it. The verb 願いし (negaishi) is in past tense, from the verb 願う (negau), meaning "wished".

• 今も見えているよ さくら舞い散る

  ➔ Adverb + Particle + te-form + verb

  ➔ The sentence combines adverbs and verb forms. 今 (ima) is an adverb, and 舞い散る (maichiru) is "to dance and scatter". The use of the -te form isn't present, but is a related concept used in the previous line.