夏の近道 – Bilingual Lyrics /English

• By: 櫻坂46
• Album: 桜月

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the youthful energy of Sakurazaka46's '夏の近道,' a song that perfectly encapsulates the eagerness and slight anxiety of young love. By exploring its lyrics, you'll learn how the imagery of summer is used to express the desire to fast-track a romantic connection, offering a unique glimpse into Japanese pop culture and its lyrical themes.

[English]

A shortcut to summer, shading with my right hand

In the midst of the wind and sunlight (it must be there)

Even though every day looked the same

The sunset sets later

Were we really that close?

On the way home, your smile with that guy

For some reason, it makes me feel bittersweet

I wish tomorrow would come quickly (quickly)

It would be nice if it came (already)

At this rate, I can't catch up

To the two walking ahead of me

Waiting for a chance to talk

I want to invite you (invite you) to the sea (to the sea)

I want to take you there

A shortcut to summer, where should I search?

For the door to the next season to open (can't wait)

Love is always something impatient

Future (future) show me (show me) the map

A shortcut to summer, shading with my right hand

In the midst of the wind and sunlight (it must be there)

Even though every day looked the same

The sunset sets later

I hope I can invite you someday

I hadn't been in a hurry until now

Suddenly, today has come

The distance in my heart (distance)

I have to hurry (right away)

Spring, summer, autumn, winter, it's in order

But I want to skip ahead

No matter what, even if I have to cheat

I can't give you (give you) to anyone else (anyone else)

I can't let you go

How long will this detour in the rainy season last?

The rain seems like it will stop but doesn't (rainy day)

Light shines through the gaps in the clouds

Let's find a place (place) where we can meet (meet)

A detour in the rainy season, even if it's a long way

Chasing miracles all the time (miracle)

If I turn that corner a little earlier

That place is already the entrance to midsummer

...

If I could, I would like to slowly fall in love with you

But because of my rival, there's no time left

A shortcut to summer, where should I search?

For the door to the next season to open (can't wait)

Love is always something impatient

Future (future) show me (show me) the map

A shortcut to summer, shading with my right hand

In the midst of the wind and sunlight (it must be there)

Even though every day looked the same

The sunset sets later

That place is already the entrance to midsummer

...

[]

夏の近道 右手翳して

風と陽射しのその中に （きっとある）

同じに見えた毎日だったのに

夕焼けが沈むのが遅い

そんな仲よかったのか?

帰り道で あいつと君の笑顔

なぜか切なくなって

明日が早く （早く）

やって来ればいい （もう）

このままだと追いつけない

僕より先を歩く二人に

話すチャンス待ち伏せして

君を （君を） 海に （海に）

誘いたいんだ

夏の近道 どこを探せば

次の季節のドアが開く （待ち遠しい）

恋はいつも せっかちなものだから

未来 （未来） 地図を （地図を） 教えて

夏の近道 右手翳して

風と陽射しのその中に （きっとある）

同じに見えた毎日だったのに

夕焼けが沈むのが遅い

いつか誘えればいいなって

今までまるで焦ってなかった僕さ

突然今日になって

心の距離 （距離）

急がなきゃダメだ （すぐ）

春夏秋冬 順番だけど

スキップしたくなるものなのさ

どうしてもズルしてでも

君を （君を） 他に （他に）

渡せやしない

梅雨の寄り道 いつまで続く?

雨は止みそうで止まない （レイニーデイ）

光 差し込む 雲のその切れ間に

会える （会える） 場所を （場所を） 見つけよう

梅雨の寄り道 遠回りでも

ずっと奇跡を追いかけて （ミラクル）

もっと手前で その角を曲がれば

もうそこは 真夏の入口

できるならゆっくりと 君と恋をしたいけど

ライバルのせいでもう時間がない

夏の近道 どこを探せば

次の季節のドアが開く （待ち遠しい）

恋はいつも せっかちなものだから

未来 （未来） 地図を （地図を） 教えて

夏の近道 右手翳して

風と陽射しのその中に （きっとある）

同じに見えた毎日だったのに

夕焼けが沈むのが遅い

もうそこは 真夏の入口

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
夏 /natsu/ A2	noun - summer
近道 /chikamichi/ B1	noun - shortcut
右手 /migi te/ A2	noun - right hand
翳して /kagera shite/ B2	verb - to shade or hide with one's hand
風 /kaze/ A2	noun - wind
陽射し /hizashi/ B1	noun - sunlight
毎日 /mainichi/ A2	noun - every day
夕焼け /yu yake/ B1	noun - sunset
沈む /shizumu/ A2	verb - to sink, to set (e.g., sun)
仲よかった /nakayokatta/ B1	adjective - was close (with someone)
笑顔 /egao/ A2	noun - smile
切なくなって /setsunaku natte/ B2	verb - to become sad or tenderhearted
未来 /mirai/ B1	noun - future
地図 /chizu/ A2	noun - map
教えて /oshiete/ A2	verb - to teach, to tell
探せば /sagaseba/ B1	verb - if you search, if you look for
季節 /kisetsu/ A2	noun - season
ドア /doa/ A1	noun - door
誘いたい /sasow itai/ B1	verb - want to invite
季節 /kisetsu/ A2	noun - season
教える /oshieru/ A2	verb - to teach
探す /sagasu/ A2	verb - to search, to look for

Key Grammar Structures

• どこを探せば

  ➔ Conditional form + ば (if) used with the verb to indicate 'if you do something' or 'when you do something'.

  ➔ The verb in its dictionary form + ば creates a conditional meaning, often translated as 'if' or 'when'.

• 沈むのが遅い

  ➔ のが ('noun + が') used to nominalize the preceding verb phrase, with the adjective 遅い indicating 'being slow to happen'.

  ➔ のが allows the verb phrase to function as a noun, often used with adjectives like 遅い to describe the characteristic of being slow.

• 未来 （未来） 地図を （地図を） 教えて

  ➔ Imperative form + て-form of 教える (to teach/ to tell), giving a command or request 'Tell me about the future map'.

  ➔ The て-form of 教える is used to make a request or command, equivalent to 'please tell me about...'.

• このままだと追いつけない

  ➔ と (conditional particle) + する creates a conditional clause 'if things continue as they are', with 追いつけない (can't catch up).

  ➔ The conditional と combined with する indicates 'if things continue as they are', expressing a situation that will happen if the current state persists.

• 急がなきゃダメだ

  ➔ 短縮形 (informal contraction) of いけない, meaning 'must' or 'have to', with verb 急ぐ (to hurry).

  ➔ The phrase 〜なきゃ is a colloquial shortening of 〜なければならない, expressing necessity or obligation: 'must hurry'.

• やって来ればいい

  ➔ Potential or conditional form + いい (good), meaning 'it would be good if...'.

  ➔ The phrase やって来ればいい expresses a conditional idea 'it would be good if...'.