ただ好きと言えたら – Bilingual Lyrics Japanese/English

• By: KERENMI, あたらよ

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the world of Japanese romance with “ただ好きと言えたら” (Tada Suki to Ietara) by KERENMI and atarayo. This beautiful J-Pop ballad, the theme song for the hit film "Exchange Diary," offers a perfect blend of nostalgic melodies and heartfelt lyrics that explore the universal theme of first love and unspoken feelings. Learning Japanese through this song allows you to appreciate the nuanced expressions of emotion and the poetic simplicity often found in modern Japanese ballads, making it an engaging way to connect with the language and culture.

[English]

I can't help but spill from my fingertips

I try to put my feelings into words

My cheeks loosening

Before I know it, I’m centered in my mind

I keep imagining you again

Whoa

I want to know more about you

The waiting time just keeps stretching out

The everyday moments that shine so strangely

Color my tomorrow

Once I realize, it’s already starting

If only I could just look at you and say “I love you”

Even though I think of you this much

Thank you, I feel like I can say it today

And then, let’s smile and look toward tomorrow

Whoa

Whoa

In the corner of these words

Your image stands out, crystal clear

You probably don’t know, right?

Even though I’ve already realized everything

I want to hear your words

It’s not just you who’s been lying

Just look at me and say “I love you”

I keep loving you more every day

Thank you, I feel like I can say it today

And then, let’s smile and look toward tomorrow

そしてまた笑って明日を見に行こう

You laughing at what you see after you look ahead

Right now, when I think you’re so adorable

Thank you, I feel like I can say it today

And then, let’s smile and look toward tomorrow

...

[Japanese]

指先から溢れてく

想いを文字に閉じ込めていくの

緩んだ頬

気がつけば頭の真ん中

浮かぶ君をまた想っている

Whoa

貴方をもっと知りたくて

待ち遠しい時間が増えてくの

不思議なほど輝いて見える日常が

明日に彩りをくれるの

気づいてしまえばもう

始まっちゃうのにね

見つめてただ「好きだ」と言えたなら

こんなに貴方を想うのに

ありがとう 今日は言える気がするよ

そしてまた笑って明日を見に行こう

Whoa

言葉の隅に映る

君が浮き彫りになっていること

知らないでしょ？

もう全部気付いてるのに

君からの言葉が欲しい

嘘をついていたのは

君だけじゃないのに

見つめてただ「好きだ」と言わせてよ

こんなに君を想う日々に

ありがとう 今日は言える気がするよ

そしてまた笑って明日を見に行こう

見つめたその先で笑う君が

こんなに愛おしいと想う今

ありがとう 今日は言える気がするよ

そしてまた笑って明日を見に行こう

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
指先 /yubisaki/ A2	noun - fingertip
想い /omoii/ B1	noun - thought
文字 /moji/ A2	noun - character
閉じ込め /tojikome/ B2	verb - to confine
浮かぶ /ukabu/ B1	verb - to float
貴方 /anata/ A2	noun - you
輝いて /kagayaite/ B2	verb - to shine
彩り /irodori/ B1	noun - color
気づいて /kiduite/ B1	verb - to notice
見つめて /mitsumete/ B1	verb - to stare
愛おしい /itoshii/ B2	adjective - lovely

Key Grammar Structures

• ただ好きと言えたら

  ➔ Conditional form using 'と' to express 'if' or 'when' (e.g., 'If I could just say I like you')

  ➔ The phrase 'と' is used to express a hypothetical condition, similar to 'if' in English.

• 想いを文字に閉じ込めていくの

  ➔ Te-form + いく to show continuous action or progression (e.g., 'continue to put feelings into words')

  ➔ The verb form 'て + いく' indicates ongoing or gradual action, emphasizing continuation.

• 気づいてしまえばもう

  ➔ Conditional form with 'ば' (if/when) used after the masu-stem of a verb (e.g., 'if you realize')

  ➔ The 'ば' form expresses a conditional situation, similar to 'if' or 'when' in English.

• 明日に彩りをくれるの

  ➔ Formation with 'に' indicating the direction or recipient (e.g., 'gives color to tomorrow')

  ➔ The particle 'に' indicates the recipient or the point of effect of an action.

• 見つめてただ「好きだ」と言えたなら

  ➔ Conditional form with 'たら' (if/when) used after the past tense to express 'if I could say I like you'

  ➔ The 'たら' form is used to express hypothetical scenarios with a sense of 'if' or 'when'.

• 笑って明日を見に行こう

  ➔ Volitional form of '行く' (to go) to express 'let's go' or 'intend to go' (e.g., 'let's go see tomorrow')

  ➔ The volitional form '〜こう' expresses suggestion, intention, or an invitation to do something together.