声の足跡 – Bilingual Lyrics Japanese/English

• By: 日向坂46

Lyrics & Translation

“声の足跡” (Voice's Footprints) by Hinatazaka46 is an excellent song for Japanese language learners. Its lyrics delve into themes of self-discovery and the nuances of expressing one's true feelings, offering insights into common expressions related to youth and personal growth. The song's connection to a drama further enriches its context, making it a special piece for cultural and linguistic immersion. The numerous subtle references in its music video also provide a deeper appreciation of Japanese idol culture and Hinatazaka46's unique narrative.

[English]

Every time someone says something to me, I want to say that's not it.

Even if I realize someday that it's a mistake,

For now, let me do things my way.

It may take a detour, but in the end, that's what youth is about.

By believing, I always get hurt and fall into self-loathing.

But I will understand when I grow up that it's okay.

I want to tell the me who was troubled back then.

Did my voice reach you?

My true cry...

Carried by the wind, not drowned out by the noise of the city...

Did it reach you?

My feelings remain clear.

The bright blue sky, with contrails,

Leaves a straight path across.

Stubbornly, all alone, it feels like I've drifted away from everyone.

At which crossroads did I go wrong? I keep looking back at the road.

I want to tell the reflection in the mirror that everyone has foolish experiences.

Will my voice reach?

声は届くだろう？

What I want to convey to you,

If you listen closely, I've been shouting for a long time.

It will surely reach.

I've repeated it many times.

Even if suddenly dark clouds cover the sky,

In the rain that starts to fall, clearly...

I lose something in exchange for freedom.

I want to escape from preachy things.

Where does the voice come from?

It always comes to me.

On sleepless nights, it only shakes the trees in the forest of my heart.

Did my voice reach you?

My true cry...

Carried by the wind, not drowned out by the noise of the city...

Did it reach you?

My feelings remain clear.

The bright blue sky, with contrails,

Leaves a straight path across.

That voice is our footprint.

[Japanese]

誰かに何か言われる度にそうじゃないんだと言いたくなる

いつかそれが間違いだと気づいても

今はやりたいようにやらせてくれ

遠回りになってしまうけど 結局 若さとはそういうもの

信じることでいつも傷ついて 自己嫌悪に陥ってしまう

それでもいいんだと大人になればわかる

あの頃悩んでいた自分に言いたい

声は届いたか？

僕の真の叫びが・・・

街のノイズに掻き消されずに風に運ばれて・・・

君に届いたか？

想いは濁ることなく

真っ青な空 飛行機雲が

まっすぐに横切ってく足跡よ

意地を張って たった一人きり みんなと逸(はぐ)れてしまったようで

どの分岐点で間違えたのか 道を何度も振り返ってる

愚かな経験は誰にもあるんだよと

鏡の中の自分に聞かせてあげたい

声は届くだろう？

君に伝えたいこと

耳を澄ませばずっと前から僕は叫んでた

きっと届くだろう

何度も繰り返したし

急に雨雲が 空を覆(おお)っても

降り出した雨の中ではっきりと・・・

自由と引き換えに何かを失うんだ

説教くさいことから逃げ出したくなる

声はどこからか？

いつも聞こえて来る

眠れぬ夜は心の森の木々を揺らすだけ

声は届いたか？

僕の真の叫びが・・・

街のノイズに掻き消されずに風に運ばれて・・・

君に届いたか？

想いは濁ることなく

真っ青な空飛行機雲が

まっすぐに横切ってく足跡よ

その声は僕たちの足跡

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
言われる /iwa.reru/ B1	verb - to be told
気づいて /ki.zu.i.te/ A2	verb - to realize, to notice
やりたい /ya.ri.ta.i/ A2	verb (て-form) - want to do
若さ /wa.ka.sa/ B1	noun - youth
傷ついて /kizu.tsui.te/ B1	verb - to be hurt
自己嫌悪 /jiko.kon'o/ C1	noun - self-hatred
大人 /o.to.na/ A2	noun - adult
悩んで /na.yon.de/ B1	verb - to worry, to be troubled
声 /ko.e/ A2	noun - voice
届いた /to.do.i.ta/ B1	verb - to reach, to arrive
風 /kaze/ A2	noun - wind
空 /sora/ A2	noun - sky
飛行機雲 /hi.kou.ki.gun/ C1	noun - contrail, vapor trail from an airplane
横切って /yoko.ki.tte/ B2	verb - to cross horizontally
意地 /i.ji/ B2	noun - stubbornness, willpower

Key Grammar Structures

• 誰かに何か言われる度にそうじゃないんだと言いたくなる

  ➔ Usage of 〜度に to indicate 'each time' or 'whenever'.

  ➔ The phrase "〜度に" (〜どに) indicates that the action occurs each time a certain condition is met.

• 信じることでいつも傷ついて 自己嫌悪に陥ってしまう

  ➔ Use of 〜ことで to indicate 'by doing' or 'because of'.

  ➔ The structure "〜ことで" means 'by' or 'through' doing something, indicating causality or means.

• あの頃悩んでいた自分に言いたい

  ➔ Use of 〜に to indicate the target of an action, here meaning 'to' or 'at' the person or thing.

  ➔ The particle "〜に" indicates the direction or target of an action, often translated as 'to' or 'at'.

• 街のノイズに掻き消されずに風に運ばれて・・・

  ➔ Use of 〜に for indicating 'by' or 'due to' an agent or cause, combined with passive constructions.

  ➔ The phrase "〜に掻き消されずに" uses the negative form to mean 'without being drowned out by'.

• 声は届いたか？

  ➔ Interrogative form using か to turn a statement into a yes/no question.

  ➔ The particle "か" at the end of a sentence indicates a question, similar to a question mark in English.

• 降り出した雨の中ではっきりと・・・

  ➔ Use of 〜中で to indicate 'during' or 'inside' of a certain event or period.

  ➔ The phrase "〜中で" indicates that something happens within a certain period or space, meaning 'during' or 'inside'.

• 足跡よ

  ➔ Use of the vocative particle (助詞) よ at the end of a noun to invoke or emphasize it.

  ➔ The particle "よ" is used to call attention or emphasize a noun, often to personify or give emotional force.