山旮旯 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 馮允謙

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a meaningful journey with Jay Fung's "山旮旯" (Saan Ga Laa), a Cantopop gem that encourages embracing life's fleeting moments and pursuing dreams, no matter how distant. Through its poignant lyrics and Jay Fung's heartfelt delivery, you can explore themes of love, urgency, and perseverance, all while immersing yourself in the nuances of Cantonese expression and poetic imagery.

[English]

The mountain corner in Bhutan, how simple it is, you said next time we go play

Next year, will there still be Bhutan

...

The big picture can change dramatically, luck can turn around

A shining moment, yet the power can go out instantly

Even alive, you might end up in the hospital at any time

He plans and calculates countless times, but still encounters danger

Could your future really be visible

I really want to go, how can I wait any longer

Mountains and corners, many hurdles, I’ll go with you

Wait a little, worried the Great Wall might crumble

Watching good weather pass, turns out he’s born again

Weather, passersby, and scenery each have their own destiny

Passing clouds, still need to hold on tightly

...

Can’t say for sure, only say maybe

Pioneers’ secrets are called fearlessness

Weakness is diving deep for too long

Overthinking, just retreat, push if you can

People grow old, wouldn't want to visit paradise anymore

I really want to go, how can I wait any longer

Mountains and corners, many hurdles, I’ll go with you

Wait a little, worried the Great Wall might collapse

Watching good weather pass, turns out he’s born again

Weather, passersby, and scenery each have their own destiny

Those who can’t hold on tightly will regret it

Tokyo Bay, Persian Gulf, Gobi Desert

If you want to see, gotta be brave enough

Many mountain corners, I’ll go with you

Passing clouds, still need to hold on tightly

...

Really want to kiss, how can I wait any longer

Mountain corner, blooming with flowers, afraid you’ll hesitate again

Wait for me, afraid my front teeth might break

Watching truly loving, turns out he’s born again

While the gate is still open, create your destiny

Those who can’t hold on tightly will regret it

Deep Water Bay, Shallow Water Bay, Lion Hill

You think he will definitely wait

Life and death, prosperity and decline, all have their moments

The person before your eyes, still need to hold on tightly

...

[Chinese]

山旮旯 的不丹 多簡單 你說下次去玩

下一年 又會否 有不丹

大局能大變 幸運能逆轉

光輝的 霎眼會停電

活著亦 隨時留院

他千算萬算 終歸也遇險

難道你未來真的 可見

明明好想去 怎可以再等

山旮旯 多關卡 也與你同行

等一等我怕 長城會崩

目送好天氣 再遇原來是他生

氣象 路人 及風景 各自有命運

過眼浮雲 還應捉緊

不敢說絕對 只肯說或許

開荒者 秘訣叫無懼

懦弱是 長期潛水

想多了就退 推得了就推

人漸老 樂園都不 想去

明明好想去 怎可以再等

山旮旯 多關卡 也與你同行

等一等我怕 長城會崩

目送好天氣 再遇原來是他生

氣象 路人 及風景 各自有命運

耐看的 未抱緊 便遺憾

東京灣 波斯灣 戈壁灘

要看就要夠狠

多山旮旯 有我同行

過眼浮雲 還應捉緊

好想吻 怎可以再等

山旮旯 開好花 怕你再沉吟

等等我怕 門牙會崩

目送真的愛 再遇原來是他生

趁著大門尚打開 創造你命運

耐看的 未抱緊便遺憾

深水灣 淺水灣 獅子山

你以為定會等

生死興衰 也有時辰

你眼前人 還請捉緊

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
簡單 (jiǎndān) /t͡ɕi̯ɛ̀n tán/ A1	adjective - simple, easy
玩 (wán) /wǎn/ A1	verb - to play, to have fun
變 (biàn) /pjɛ̀n/ A2	verb - to change, to become
等 (děng) /tɤŋ/ A1	verb - wait
同行 (tóngxíng) /tʰʊ̌ŋ ɕɪŋ/ B1	verb - to travel together, to accompany
天氣 (tiānqì) /tʰjɛ́n t͡ɕʰi/ A1	noun - weather
命運 (mìngyùn) /mîŋ y̯ʏ̀n/ B2	noun - destiny, fate
秘密 (mìmì) /mi mi/ A2	noun - secret
絕對 (juédùi) /t͡ɕɥœ tʊ̯èi/ B2	adjective - absolute
崩 (bēng) /bɤŋ/ B2	verb - to collapse, to crumble
遺憾 (yíhàn) /i xân/ C1	adjective - regretful, regrettable
浮雲 (fúyún) /fǔ y̯ʏ̌n/ C1	noun - fleeting clouds, transient things
捉緊 (zhuōjǐn) /ʈʂu̯ɔ t͡ɕìn/ B2	verb - to grasp tightly, to hold on
勇敢 (yǒnggǎn) /jʊŋ kàn/ A2	adjective - brave, courageous
沉吟 (chényín) /ʈʂʰən ǰɪn/ C1	verb - to ponder, to hesitate

Key Grammar Structures

• 你說下次去玩

  ➔ Using 你說 (nǐ shuō) + verb phrase to report speech or thought.

  ➔ The structure 你說 + verb phrase indicates reported speech or thought.

• 難道你未來真的 可見

  ➔ Using 難道 (nándào) as a rhetorical question, implying doubt or challenge.

  ➔ 難道 introduces a rhetorical question implying skepticism or challenge.

• 想多了就退 推得了就推

  ➔ Using conditional clauses with 就 (jiù) to indicate 'if' or 'then' outcomes.

  ➔ 就 connects subordinate and main clauses to express 'if' conditions or 'then' results.

• 各自有命運

  ➔ Using 各自 (gèzì) + noun to indicate 'each has' or 'respective'.

  ➔ 各自 emphasizes that each individual or thing has its own destiny.

• 過眼浮雲 還應捉緊

  ➔ Using 過眼 (guò yǎn) + noun to describe fleeting phenomena, and 還應 + verb to indicate a recommendation or expectation.

  ➔ 過眼浮雲 refers to transient or fleeting things, while 還應 emphasizes the importance of holding on or valuing something.