一事無成 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 鄭融,周柏豪

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the lyrical depth of "一事無成," a beloved Cantonese pop duet by Pakho Chau and Stephanie Cheng. This song is not only a karaoke favorite but also a masterclass in conveying complex emotions and a powerful message about redefining success through its poignant lyrics. Learning this song can offer insights into conversational Cantonese expressions, particularly how to discuss personal aspirations and the concept of achievement, making it a great choice for language learners to connect with authentic Hong Kong culture and music.

[English]

Perhaps this story is also a story shared with someone you know

Really want to excel at something, want to give it my all

Unfortunately, all I get are criticism, not even half a star

Truly don't want to be shaped early on, laughed at for trying so hard

Years have passed with no achievements

My status hasn't risen

Can't reach the peak, only hope love flows smoothly

Success lies in the ordinary, that warmth

I try to be natural, just to make my parents happy

If everything fails, maybe love will be the victory

Do do lu do do lu do do lu

Even when narrowly winning

Do do do do do do you mean everything to me

I Say finally found something important, use my natural talents

It's a pity that loving hasn't turned me into an elite

Those applauding aren't the type

Judged by world standards

Relationships are always like branches

Handling big matters seriously

No applause, just warmth—love this peace

Why? Still mentioning me, don’t sit still, the story isn’t over

I try to be natural, just to make my parents happy

If everything fails, maybe love will be the victory

Listen to my feelings, as always listen to my feelings

Nothing too bad

I want to scream, go for your dream, Ah ha ah ha ah ha

Can't fly high, everyone says my feet still aren’t on the ground

Falling in love with you just to escape

I told you, I’m really grounded

Hard to be successful, but I love enough—Let’s do it

Really want to excel at something, want to give it my best

Unfortunately, all I get are criticism, no half a star

Really don't want to be shaped early on, laughed at for trying so hard

Years have passed with no achievements, status hasn't risen

Can't reach the peak, only hope love flows smoothly

Success lies in the ordinary, that warmth

Already tried to be natural, just to gain respect

Even when everything fails, maybe love will be the victory

Even if narrowly winning

Nothing too bad

...

[Chinese]

或許這故事亦是誰共你的故事吧

真的好想精於某事情 好想好好的打拚

可惜得到只有劣評 沒有半粒星

真的不想早給你定型 笑我那麼的拚命

幾年來毫無成績

地位未有躍升

高峰上不成 唯盼愛情順景

成就在平凡裡 那份溫馨

我試著生性 但求父母親高興

假如凡事都失敗 也許得愛戀先可以得勝

Do do lu do do lu do do lu

即使險勝

Do do do do do do you mean everything to me

I Say 終於找到些緊要事情 施展天生的本領

可惜精於戀愛未曾令我變精英

給鼓掌的都非這類型

按世界標準鑒定

感情從來如旁枝

辦大事至正經

得不到掌聲得到溫馨我愛這種清靜

為什麼 還提我 事情未完別坐定

我試著生性 但求父母親高興

假如凡事都失敗 也許得愛戀先可以得勝

Listen to my feelings as always listen to my feelings

都不算差勁

I want to scream go for your dream Ah ha ah ha ah ha

飛不起個個也說我腳又未踏實地

愛上你不過為逃避

我也告訴你我實在是著地

難成大器但我愛得起 Let's do it

真的好想精於某事情 好想好好的打拚

可惜得到只有劣評 而沒有半粒星

真的不想早給你定型 笑我那麼的拚命

幾年來毫無成績 地位未有躍升

高峰上不成 唯盼愛情順景

成就在平凡裡 那份溫馨

已試著生性 但求大眾都尊敬

竟然凡事都失敗 也許得愛戀先可以得勝

即使險勝

都不算差勁

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
故事 (gùshì) /ˈɡuːʃɪ/ A1	noun - story
事情 (shìqíng) /ˈʃɪtʃɪŋ/ A1	noun - thing, matter
想 (xiǎng) /ʃi̯ɑŋ/ A1	verb - to think, to want
得到 (dédào) /dədao/ A2	verb - to get, to obtain
愛 (ài) /aɪ/ A1	noun - love verb - to love
愛情 (àiqíng) /aɪ̯t͡ɕʰiŋ/ A2	noun - love, affection
父母 (fùmǔ) /fûmù/ A1	noun - parents
世界 (shìjiè) /ˈʂɻ̩t͡ɕjɛ/ A2	noun - world
成功 (chénggōng) /t͡ʃʰɤŋˈɡʊŋ/ B1	noun - success verb - to succeed
平凡 (píngfán) /pʰiŋfǎn/ B1	adjective - ordinary, common
溫馨 (wēnxīn) /wənxin/ B1	adjective - warm, comforting
失敗 (shībài) /ʂɻ̩paɪ/ B1	verb - to fail noun - failure
打拚 (dǎpàn) /dǎpàn/ B2	verb - to struggle, to work hard
逃避 (táobì) /tʰǎʊpìi/ B2	verb - to escape, to evade
本領 (běnlǐng) /bənlɪŋ/ B2	noun - skill, ability

Key Grammar Structures

• 虽然...但是...

  ➔ Although... but...

  ➔ "虽然" introduces a contrast or concession, and "但是" indicates the opposing statement or result.

• resultative complement: 得 + verb

  ➔ Resultative complement: '得' + verb indicates the degree or result of an action.

  ➔ '得' followed by a verb expresses how well or to what extent an action is performed or its result.

• 希望 + verb phrase (e.g., 好想好好打拚)

  ➔ Hope + verb phrase indicates a wish or desire to do something.

  ➔ '希望' introduces a wish or desire to perform the action described by the verb phrase.

• 未曾 (e.g., 未曾令我變精英)

  ➔ Never (未曾) indicates that an action has not happened in the past.

  ➔ '未曾' is used to emphasize that an action has never occurred before.

• 請求或希望：想 + verb (e.g., 好想好好的打拚)

  ➔ Want to + verb expresses wish or desire to do something.

  ➔ '想' followed by a verb expresses a wish, desire, or intention to perform the action.

• 反覆用於表達強烈願望或努力：好想

  ➔ Repeatedly expressing strong desire or effort: e.g., '好想' (really want).

  ➔ '好想' emphasizes a very strong desire or longing for something.