先哭為敬 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 鄭欣宜

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the poignant beauty of Cantonese through Joyce Cheng's “先哭為敬”. This song, rich in emotional depth and cultural nuance, offers a unique window into Hong Kong's contemporary music scene. Discover how the lyrics weave a tale of farewells and tributes, enhancing your language skills with heartfelt expression.

[English]

As the closing credits of a mournful song begin to play

This regretful ending is also our final draft, with no more room to change

But this painful love is nothing extraordinary

In the remaining days, I might let you go

But I refuse to stop loving you, even if we're separated by time and space

This passionate struggle defines our tragic beauty

Like in the past, we kissed fiercely, leaving a mark of dreams that will last forever

We journeyed through life together, celebrating grand moments, then parting ways—don't hang your head

If we shared warmth, it’s frozen in the most satisfying expression

Who wants to taint the end with a sigh?

Life, almost like a blank space, is made rich by these moments together

With my eyes moist, I salute the beautiful scenery

...

We once built a heaven together, our half-life of happiness

Even if dismantled and hard to rebuild, we can still mourn happily

Holding hands, watching the evening lights, teaching ourselves to stay strong

Even if I fall into loneliness alone

Old memories shine, watering my dried-up heart

Others may not understand how to love, who the true object is—yet we find happiness this way

Riding the last train together, chasing the glory days—when we reach the station, how can we part?

If we shared warmth, it’s frozen in the most satisfying expression

Who wants to taint the end with a sigh?

Life, almost like a blank space, is made rich by these moments together

With my eyes moist, I salute the beautiful scenery

Ha, time suddenly stands still

Our passionate night together

Even if it ends in tears, who truly understands fate?

If you don’t want to be cold, sing the love song written for you

Inspired by that unparalleled love song

The future with you might be uncertain, but I’m happily grateful—met brilliance and started anew

With my tears dried, I salute this century-long love

...

[Chinese]

隨片尾怨曲奏起了

這抱憾的結尾 亦算定稿了 無餘地

但這苦戀了不起

餘生我也許放開你

卻拒絕不愛你 就算被分隔時和地

這段壯烈 定義了淒美

如從前曾經 狠狠熱吻 烙下夢痕 將永續細膩

曾同遊人生 高峯盛宴 散席別離 別垂頭喪氣

若分享過溫馨 定格在最滿足 的表情

誰要用嘆息 沾污尾聲

近乎留白那生命 是這些結伴 讓我擁有過豐盛

以我沾濕的眼睛 對美好光景致敬

曾跟你蓋起過天國 半世幸福寄託

就算被清拆難重獲 還能悼念亦快樂

攜手看晚燈那感覺 教以後都振作

就算是一個人淪落

往事發亮 潤澤了乾涸

旁人們 難解 該怎樣愛 對象是誰 可這樣快樂

同搭過 尾班車 追盛世 到站二人 又如何切割

若分享過溫馨 定格在最滿足 的表情

誰要用嘆息 沾污尾聲

近乎留白那生命 是這些結伴 讓我擁有過豐盛

以我沾濕的眼睛 對美好光景致敬

Ha 歲月驟停

你我的昨夜熱情

縱是以眼淚作結 誰認過命

若不想冷清清 就唱著為你寫 的傾城

由那絕世的 戀歌助興

未來難共你安定 亦深感慶幸 遇過璀璨至歸零

以我哭乾的眼睛 對世紀之戀致敬

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
哭 (kū) /kʰuː/ A1	verb - to cry
愛 (ài) /aɪ/ A1	verb - to love noun - love
結尾 (jiéwěi) /dʒie̯˧˥ weɪ˨˩/ B1	noun - ending, conclusion
拒絕 (jùjué) /tɕyː˧˥ ʥɥœ˨˩/ B1	verb - to refuse, to reject
壯烈 (zhuàngliè) /ʈʂwaŋ˥˩ lie̯ɛ˥˩/ B2	adjective - heroic, brave
夢 (mèng) /məŋ˥˩/ A2	noun - dream
人生 (rénshēng) /ʐən˧˥ ʂəŋ˥/ A2	noun - life
別離 (biélí) /pie˧˥ li˧˥/ B1	verb - to part, to leave noun - parting, separation
表情 (biǎoqíng) /piaʊ̯˨˩ t͡ɕʰiŋ˧˥/ B1	noun - expression, look
嘆息 (tànxī) /tan˥˩ ɕi˥/ B2	noun - sigh verb - to sigh
生命 (shēngmìng) /ʂəŋ˥ miŋ˥˩/ A2	noun - life
眼睛 (yǎnjīng) /jɛn˨˩ t͡ɕiŋ˥/ A1	noun - eye
幸福 (xìngfú) /ɕiŋ˥˩ fu˧˥/ A2	noun - happiness, bliss adjective - happy, blissful
快樂 (kuàilè) /kʰuaɪ̯˥˩ lɤ˥˩/ A1	adjective - happy, joyful
歲月 (suìyuè) /sweɪ˥˩ y̯œ˥˩/ B1	noun - years, time
熱情 (rèqíng) /ʐɤ˥˩ t͡ɕʰiŋ˧˥/ B1	noun - passion, enthusiasm
眼淚 (yǎnlèi) /jɛn˨˩ leɪ˥˩/ A2	noun - tear
戀歌 (liàngē) /ljɛn˥˩ kɤ˥/ B2	noun - love song
慶幸 (qìngxìng) /t͡ɕʰiŋ˥˩ ɕiŋ˥˩/ B2	verb - to rejoice, to be glad adjective - fortunate
璀璨 (cuǐcàn) /tsʰweɪ˨˩ tsʰan˥˩/ C1	adjective - bright, glittering, dazzling
世紀 (shìjì) /ʂɨ˥˩ d͡ʑi˥˩/ B1	noun - century

Key Grammar Structures

• 無餘地

  ➔ no remaining space or margin

  ➔ The phrase **無餘地** uses the negative form **無** (none) combined with **餘地** (margin, leeway) to emphasize the complete absence of space or possibility.

• 定義了淒美

  ➔ the phrase 'defines the tragic beauty'

  ➔ The verb **定義了** (defined) indicates the act of giving a precise meaning, here combined with **淒美** (tragic beauty) to show that something embodies this concept.

• 如從前曾經

  ➔ like in the past, indicating a past experience or memory

  ➔ The phrase **如從前曾經** uses **如** (like/as) and **曾經** (once, previously) to reflect on past experiences or memories.

• 縱是以眼淚作結

  ➔ even if ending with tears, introduces concessive nuance

  ➔ The phrase **縱是以眼淚作結** employs **縱是** (even if) to introduce a concessive clause, with **以眼淚作結** meaning 'ending with tears', emphasizing acceptance despite sadness.

• 誰要用嘆息 沾污尾聲

  ➔ question form with 要 indicating willingness or necessity

  ➔ The phrase **誰要用嘆息** is a question that uses **要** (want, need) to imply willingness or necessity to sigh, questioning who should do so.

• 由那絕世的 戀歌助興

  ➔ by that unmatched love song (instrumental or emotional aid)

  ➔ The phrase **由那絕世的戀歌助興** uses **由** (by, through) to indicate the means, with **戀歌** (love song) serving as the emotional or musical aid to enhance the atmosphere.

• 遇過璀璨至歸零

  ➔ having encountered brilliance, returning to zero / starting anew

  ➔ The phrase **遇過璀璨至歸零** employs **遇過** (encountered, experienced) and **至歸零** (return to zero), symbolizing experiencing brilliance and then resetting or beginning anew.