天敵 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 衛蘭, Janice Vidal

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a fantastic journey, and Janice Vidal's “天敵” is a great starting point for diving into Cantonese. The song's sophisticated and modern R&B style makes it a pleasure to listen to, while the clever and cutting lyrics by the master lyricist Wyman Wong offer a glimpse into the nuances of expressing complex emotions like pride and disdain in Cantonese. It's a song that's not just about a romantic entanglement, but about self-worth and a cool, collected confidence, making it a unique and empowering piece to learn from.

[English]

Finally, I see her again

I can't believe this is your cup of tea

Do I need to compare myself with her?

The gap in level, who's still fighting for dominance?

I've tried before—lost control and cried for her

I've smiled before—staying calm like a killer for you

I laugh—I'm still fighting

Against anonymous rivals—competing for cuteness, not fearing to be ugly

If I lose, I want to lose to a stronger opponent

Even in defeat—have fought in scenes after scenes

Forget it—my ex-boyfriend, this cheap rival, it's hard to accept

You give me this kind of quality opponent

Insulted me about how we first met

Good-looking bad boyfriend—now he seems like some dirt

...

When she reveals her identity

That confidence, that arrogance—it's truly astonishing

Compared to her fierceness

Someone like me can’t get close at all

I've smiled before—lost control and cried for her

I've smiled before—staying calm like a killer for you

I laugh—I'm still fighting

Compare hearts with anonymous rivals, see who lasts longer

If I lose, I want to lose to a stronger opponent

Even in defeat—have fought in scenes after scenes

Forget it—my ex-boyfriend, this cheap rival, it's hard to accept

You give me this kind of quality opponent

No longer have the heart to fight until the end

Your current partner makes the ex seem even more privileged

I’ve never feared confrontation

Never afraid—fighting bravely in defeat, isn’t that okay?

I once fell deeply for love

Let’s call it perfect this lifetime

Just that, falling deep also means choosing the right opponent

Heaven’s enemies, yet only close friends remain

I can’t train or I’d rather give up

How high a status someone has depends on who they fight

Count how many times I’ve evolved—fighting against whom?

Forget it—my ex-boyfriend, this cheap rival, it's hard to accept

You give me this kind of quality opponent

No longer have the heart to fight until the end

Your current partner makes the ex seem even more privileged

Your old love debt—I won’t pursue it now

...

[Chinese]

終於 都見到她

我沒法 意料到 這是你杯茶

跟她 需要比嗎

懸殊層次 誰人還要爭霸

我試過曾為她失控淚流

我笑過曾為你冷靜如殺手

我笑我還在鬥

和無名情敵去 比可愛 比不怕醜

如果輸想 輸給些厲害對手

打輸也試過 有連場劇鬥

算吧 舊男友 這低價情敵難接受

你贈我 這種質素對手

侮辱我 當初跟你邂逅

漂亮壞男友 此刻卻似種污垢

當她 揭露身份

那自信 那傲氣 確實太驚人

相比 她的狠

尋人如我 完全無法走近

我笑我曾為她失控淚流

我笑我曾為你冷靜如殺手

我笑我還在斗

和無名情敵去 比心計 比撐最久

如果輸想 輸給些厲害對手

打輸也試過 有連場劇鬥

算吧 舊男友 這低價情敵難接受

你贈我 這種質素對手

已沒有 心機爭到最後

你現任能夠 讓舊人更顯優厚

交鋒也 從未怕

從未怕 光輝地戰敗 不可嗎

曾為愛 淪陷過

今生先夠完美吧

只不過 被淪陷 也揀對手

天國下大敵 猶剩密友

未可鍛鍊我的或寧願棄守

人身份多高級先要看對手

多少次進化看和誰在鬥

算吧 舊男友 這低價情敵難接受

你贈我 這種質素對手

已沒有 心機爭到最後

你現任能夠 讓舊人更顯優厚

你舊日情債 此刻我再不追究

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
見到 (jiàn dào) /t͡ɕi̯ɛn⁵¹ tɑʊ̯⁵¹/ A1	verb - to see, to catch sight of
意料 (yìliào) /i⁵¹ li̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/ B2	verb - to anticipate, to expect
需要 (xūyào) /ɕy⁵⁵ i̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹/ A2	verb - to need, to require noun - need, requirement
層次 (céngcì) /tsʰɤŋ³⁵ tsʰɨ⁵¹/ B2	noun - level, layer, arrangement
爭霸 (zhēngbà) /ʈ͡ʂɤŋ⁵⁵ pʰa⁵¹/ C1	verb - to contend for hegemony, to vie for supremacy
失控 (shīkòng) /ʂʅ⁵⁵ kʰʊŋ⁵¹/ B2	verb - to lose control
淚流 (lèiliú) /leɪ̯⁵¹ li̯oʊ̯³⁵/ B1	verb - to shed tears, to weep
冷靜 (lěngjìng) /lɤŋ³⁵ t͡ɕiŋ⁵¹/ B1	adjective - calm, composed
殺手 (shāshǒu) /ʂɑ⁵⁵ ʂoʊ̯³⁵/ B2	noun - assassin, killer
情敵 (qíngdí) /t͡ɕʰiŋ³⁵ ti³⁵/ B2	noun - romantic rival
可愛 (kě'ài) /kʰɤ³⁵ aɪ̯⁵¹/ A2	adjective - cute, lovable
厲害 (lìhai) /li⁵¹ xaɪ̯/ A2	adjective - fierce, formidable, awesome
對手 (duìshǒu) /tweɪ⁵¹ ʂoʊ̯³⁵/ B1	noun - opponent, adversary
侮辱 (wǔrǔ) /u²¹⁴ ʐu³⁵/ B2	verb - to insult, to humiliate
邂逅 (xièhòu) /ɕi̯ɛ⁵¹ xoʊ̯⁵¹/ C1	verb - to meet by chance, to encounter unexpectedly
身份 (shēnfen) /ʂɤn⁵⁵ fɤn/ B1	noun - identity, status
自信 (zìxìn) /tsɨ⁵¹ ɕin⁵¹/ A2	adjective - confident
傲氣 (àoqì) /ɑʊ̯⁵¹ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/ B2	noun - arrogance

Key Grammar Structures

• 我試過曾為她失控淚流

  ➔ Using the adverb '曾' (céng) to indicate that an action occurred in the past or a certain point in time.

  ➔ '曾' (céng) emphasizes that the action of losing control and crying happened before.

• 跟她 需要比嗎

  ➔ Using '需要比嗎' (xū yào bǐ ma) to ask whether comparison is necessary or appropriate.

  ➔ '比' (bǐ) is used here to compare, asking if comparison is needed or not.

• 算吧 舊男友 這低價情敵難接受

  ➔ Using '算吧' (suàn ba) as a colloquial way to say 'let it be' or 'forget it,' showing acceptance or resignation.

  ➔ ‘算吧’ indicates resignation or acceptance of the situation, implying 'let's forget it' or 'it's settled now'.

• 你贈我 這種質素對手

  ➔ Using '贈我' (zèng wǒ) in a formal or literary context to mean 'to give/to present,' combined with a descriptive phrase.

  ➔ '贈我' (zèng wǒ) is a poetic or formal way to say 'give me' or 'offer to me', emphasizing the act of giving.

• 曾為愛 淪陷過

  ➔ Using '曾為愛' (céng wèi ài) to indicate a past experience or action motivated by love.

  ➔ '曾為愛' highlights a past action done because of love, emphasizing its previous occurrence.

• 從未怕 光輝地戰敗 不可嗎

  ➔ Using '從未怕' (cóng wèi pà) to indicate 'never afraid' or 'not afraid ever.'

  ➔ '從未怕' emphasizes that one has never been afraid of failure or challenges.