勿念 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 岑寧兒

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language is about more than just words; it's about understanding culture and emotion. Yoyo Sham's '勿念' is a perfect song to begin your journey with Cantonese. Through its simple yet profound lyrics, you can learn to express complex feelings of longing and reassurance. The song's gentle melody and heartfelt vocals make it a beautiful and moving piece that will not only help you learn the language but also connect with the universal experience of missing home.

[English]

Really? Almost two years now, and you answer back too. Soon it's time for school.

Next time I pick you up, I’ve got my driver’s license. Still no accidents so far.

Everything here is fine, even if sometimes I secretly feel a little lost.

It's been a while since I saw you. Sometimes I think about how you're right here with me.

Christmas has passed, holidays are over, and we’re busy with our own lives.

Learning how to feel homesick, ordering a yuenyeung, just like the happy days before.

Lately I close my eyes, for a moment I fear memories are starting to fade.

The news the day before yesterday made me frown—how are things on your side?

Seeing each other again feels so far away—when will we meet those places again?

Sitting by the window listening to the rain.

Staring at the difficult-to-write letter paper.

If I could say, if I shouldn’t say—

Either way, I’ve gotten used to it, no complaints.

——

The seasons have changed, the world’s gotten faster, and I’ve gotten used to remembering.

Starting last week, I moved to a new place, with new sights that make me often look out.

I look to where the sea is, where the harbor is, places drifting with the wind.

Unexpectedly, I think of two elders in my heart, with my mind cleared.

Doubting along the way—turns out I’ve gotten used to missing that feeling.

Sitting by the window listening to the rain.

Staring at the difficult-to-write letter paper.

If I could say, if I shouldn’t say—

I just want to hold you close.

And I don’t know how things have changed.

Just with the words quietly spoken.

Say it like this, don’t say it like that.

When everything is over, we can meet again.

——

Next time, let’s eat, drink, and be merry.

Laugh, chat, and watch the full moon together.

——

[Chinese]

是嗎? 快兩歲了 也會對答了 霎眼要上學堂

下次與你接送 駕照我有了 至今仍無碰撞

這邊通通都好 哪怕有時會悄悄失落

好久不見你了 偶爾會想這裏有你在旁

聖誕過了 假放夠了 你我各自忙

學懂怎麼思鄉 點一杯鴛鴦 像從前快樂

最近閉上眼睛 有某個片刻 我怕回憶稀薄

前天幾則新聞 聽見皺眉 你那裏怎樣?

遙遙無期 何時再見那裏每一個?

靠於窗邊聽雨天

望着難落墨的信紙

如果説 如果不要説

始終我也適應了 不抱怨

季節變了 世界快了 我也慣了備忘

上週開始搬家 新的景觀 令人常遠望

我望哪裏有海 哪裏有港 哪個隨風飄蕩

無端想起心中兩個老人 腦裏放空着

懷疑沿途 原來慣了錯過那感覺

靠於窗邊聽雨天

望着難落墨的信紙

如果説 如果不要説

只想去抱一抱你

也不知怎麼變遷

就憑默唸的句子

如此説 如此不要説

當一切也都過去 可再見

下次要吃吃喝喝

説説笑笑 與你看看月圓

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
對答 (duìdá) /tʊeɪ tɑː/ B2	verb - to answer; to reply noun - answer; reply
失落 (shīluò) /ʃɪ lɔk/ B2	adjective - feeling lost; disappointed
思鄉 (sīxiāng) /sɿ ɕjɑŋ/ B2	verb - to be homesick
眼睛 (yǎnjīng) /jæn dʒɪŋ/ A1	noun - eye
回憶 (huíyì) /xweɪ i/ B1	noun - memory verb - to recall
新聞 (xīnwén) /ʃin wən/ A2	noun - news
眉 (méi) /meɪ/ B1	noun - eyebrow
季節 (jìjié) /t͡ɕi t͡ɕjɛ/ A2	noun - season
世界 (shìjiè) /ʂɨ t͡ɕjɛ/ A1	noun - world
搬家 (bānjiā) /bɑn t͡ɕja/ A2	verb - to move house; to relocate
景觀 (jǐngguān) /t͡ɕiŋ kwɑn/ B2	noun - landscape; scenery
海 (hǎi) /xaɪ/ A1	noun - sea
港 (gǎng) /kɑŋ/ A2	noun - port; harbor
風 (fēng) /fɤŋ/ A1	noun - wind
老人 (lǎorén) /laʊ ɻən/ A1	noun - old people
雨 (yǔ) /y/ A1	noun - rain
月圓 (yuèyuán) /ɥe yɛn/ B2	noun - full moon

Key Grammar Structures

• 也會對答了

  ➔ Future tense with '会' (huì) to indicate ability or possibility.

  ➔ The phrase "也会对答了" suggests that the subject has developed the ability to respond.

• 偶爾會想這裏有你在旁

  ➔ Use of '偶尔' (ǒu'ěr) to indicate occasional actions.

  ➔ The phrase "偶尔会想这裏有你在旁" expresses that the speaker occasionally thinks about the presence of someone.

• 如果説 如果不要説

  ➔ Conditional structure using '如果' (rúguǒ) to express hypothetical situations.

  ➔ The phrase "如果説 如果不要説" introduces a hypothetical scenario regarding communication.

• 學懂怎麼思鄉

  ➔ Use of '怎麼' (zěnme) to ask about the method or way of doing something.

  ➔ The phrase "學懂怎麼思鄉" indicates the process of learning how to feel homesick.

• 靠於窗邊聽雨天

  ➔ Use of '靠' (kào) to indicate leaning or relying on something.

  ➔ The phrase "靠於窗邊聽雨天" describes the action of leaning by the window while listening to the rain.

• 當一切也都過去

  ➔ Use of '當' (dāng) to indicate a condition or situation.

  ➔ The phrase "當一切也都過去" suggests a future time when everything will have passed.

• 下次要吃吃喝喝

  ➔ Use of '要' (yào) to express intention or desire.

  ➔ The phrase "下次要吃吃喝喝" indicates the speaker's intention to enjoy food and drinks next time.