先這樣吧 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 張震嶽

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a powerful way to connect with its culture and emotions. '先這樣吧' by Chang Chen-yue offers a glimpse into the subtleties of expressing resignation and heartbreak in Mandarin. The simple yet profound lyrics, combined with a beautiful folk melody, make it an accessible and moving song for language learners. Through this song, you can learn common phrases related to relationships and emotions, all while experiencing the sincere and heartfelt music of one of Taiwan's most respected singer-songwriters.

[English]

Moments pass and the clouds drift in the restless sky

The result of cold war, feeling a sense of unease after a long time

Who hurt your heart? Was it you

...

Reaching this point, still hesitant to let go

Compromise and indulgence, problems remain unresolved, I don't want to say more

Who gets tired? Is it me, it’s me

In love, like distant horizons

This distance, so far away

Unable to reach the beauty of our first meeting

Let tears slide down your face, I won’t look back

Let's just leave it at that

Reaching this point, still hesitant to let go

Compromise and indulgence, problems remain unresolved, I don't want to say more

Who gets tired? Is it me, it’s me

In love, like distant horizons

This distance, so far away

Unable to reach the beauty of our first meeting

Let tears slide down your face, I won’t look back

Let's just leave it at that

...

In love, like distant horizons

This distance, so far away

Unable to reach the beauty of our first meeting

Let tears slide down your face, I won’t look back

Let's just leave it at that

In love, like distant horizons

This distance, so far away

Unable to reach the beauty of our first meeting

Let tears slide down your face, I won’t look back

Let's just leave it at that

...

[Chinese]

片刻的瞬間 天空雲飄盪在不安的心頭

冷戰的結果 過好久感覺到不祥的念頭

是誰傷了心 是妳

走到這一步 仍有一絲絲不願意放手

妥協和放縱 問題沒有解決不想再多說

是誰厭倦了 是我 是我

在愛情裡面 像海角天邊

這距離 好遙遠

觸碰不到 最初相識的美

任憑眼淚在你臉上滑過 我頭也不回

先這樣吧

走到這一步 仍有一絲絲不願意放手

妥協和放縱 問題沒有解決不想再多說

是誰厭倦了 是我 是我

在愛情裡面 像海角天邊

這距離 好遙遠

觸碰不到 最初相識的美

任憑眼淚在你臉上滑過 我頭也不回

先這樣吧

在愛情裡面 像海角天邊

這距離 好遙遠

觸碰不到 最初相識的美

任憑眼淚在你臉上滑過 我頭也不回

先這樣吧

在愛情裡面 像海角天邊

這距離 好遙遠

觸碰不到 最初相識的美

任憑眼淚在你臉上滑過 我頭也不回

先這樣吧

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
天空 /tiān kōng/ B1	noun - sky
雲 /yún/ A2	noun - cloud
飄盪 /piāo dàng/ B2	verb - drift; flutter
心頭 /xīn tóu/ B2	noun - mind; heart
冷戰 /lěng zhàn/ B1	noun - cold war
念頭 /niàn tóu/ B2	noun - thought; idea
傷 /shāng/ A2	verb/noun - hurt; injury
妳 /nǐ/ A1	pronoun - you (female)
放手 /fàng shǒu/ B1	verb - let go
妥協 /tuǒ xié/ B2	noun/verb - compromise
放縱 /fàng zòng/ B2	verb - indulge; abandon restraint
問題 /wèn tí/ A2	noun - problem; issue
厭倦 /yàn juàn/ B2	verb - be tired of; get weary
愛情 /ài qíng/ B1	noun - love; romantic love
海角天邊 /hǎi jiǎo tiān biān/ C1	noun - cape and horizon; very distant places
距離 /jù lí/ A2	noun - distance
遙遠 /yáo yuǎn/ B1	adjective - distant; far away
觸碰 /chù pèng/ B2	verb - touch
美 /měi/ A2	noun/adjective - beauty; beautiful
眼淚 /yǎn lèi/ A2	noun - tears
滑 /huá/ A2	verb - slide; slip

Key Grammar Structures

• 片刻的瞬間 天空雲飄盪在不安的心頭

  ➔ Verb + 在 + Location/State

  ➔ The structure 'Verb + "在" + Location/State' indicates that an action is occurring "at," "in," or "within" a particular place or state. Here, "飄盪在" means 'drifting "in"/"within" the anxious mind'.

• 冷戰的結果 過好久感覺到不祥的念頭

  ➔ Verb + Duration (過)

  ➔ The verb "過" means 'to pass' or 'to cross.' When combined with a duration (e.g., "好久" - a long time), it indicates that a long period of time has "passed" since an event or before a realization. Here, 'after a long time'.

• 是誰傷了心 是妳

  ➔ 是 for Emphasis

  ➔ The particle "是" is used here to emphasize the subject or the fact of an action, often implying a rhetorical question or providing a direct answer to "who/what/when/where/how". Here, "是誰" asks 'who is it?', and "是妳" answers 'it is you', emphasizing the person.

• 走到這一步 仍有一絲絲不願意放手

  ➔ Adverb 仍 (still, yet)

  ➔ The adverb "仍" means 'still,' 'yet,' or 'as before,' indicating that a state or action continues despite circumstances. In this line, "仍有一絲絲不願意放手" means 'there is "still" a trace of unwillingness to let go'.

• 妥協和放縱 問題沒有解決不想再多說

  ➔ 不想再... (don't want to anymore)

  ➔ The structure "不想再" + Verb/Phrase" expresses a strong desire "not to do something "anymore"" or "not to repeat an action." "再" signifies repetition or continuation, and when paired with negation like "不想" (don't want to), it conveys a definitive cessation.

• 在愛情裡面 像海角天邊

  ➔ 像 (like, as if) - Simile

  ➔ The word "像" is used to make a comparison, meaning 'like' or 'as if'. It introduces a simile, equating one thing to another based on a perceived similarity. Here, it describes the feeling in love as 'like the ends of the earth' (海角天邊), implying great distance or impossibility.

• 這距離 好遙遠

  ➔ 好 + Adjective (Intensifier)

  ➔ The adverb "好" is often placed before an adjective to intensify its meaning, similar to 'very' or 'quite' in English. It emphasizes the degree of the quality described by the adjective. Here, "好遙遠" means '"very" far'.

• 觸碰不到 最初相識的美

  ➔ Verb + 不 + Result Complement (V+不+到)

  ➔ The structure "Verb + "不" + Result Complement ("到")" indicates an inability to achieve the desired outcome or reach a certain point. "到" functions as a resultative complement, meaning 'to achieve' or 'to reach'. So, "觸碰不到" means 'unable to touch' or 'cannot reach'.

• 任憑眼淚在你臉上滑過 我頭也不回

  ➔ 任憑 (rèn píng) - To let/allow (regardless)

  ➔ The phrase "任憑" indicates allowing something to happen freely or letting something proceed without interference, often implying a sense of resignation or indifference to the outcome. It means 'to allow', 'to let', or 'to let something take its own course', regardless of what one does.

• 先這樣吧

  ➔ 先...吧 (xiān...ba) - Suggestion/Mild Command

  ➔ The structure "先"..."吧"" is used to suggest doing something 'first' or 'for now,' often implying a temporary solution or a starting point before other actions. "先" means 'first' or 'ahead of time,' and "吧" adds a softened tone of suggestion or a mild command. Here, "先這樣吧" means 'Let's just leave it at this for now' or 'Let's do this first'.