掌紋 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 曹格

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a heartfelt linguistic journey with Gary Chaw's "掌紋" (Palmprint), a poignant Mandopop ballad that explores themes of love, destiny, and unwavering commitment. This song offers a beautiful insight into Chinese lyrical expression, with its rich imagery and emotional depth. Through its heartfelt verses, you can learn common phrases related to love and relationships, and appreciate how metaphors are woven into everyday language. The song's expressive delivery and accessible vocabulary make it a compelling choice for anyone looking to deepen their understanding and appreciation of Mandarin Chinese through music.

[English]

In my palm, the tears you shed are so cold

The crystal-clear droplets gently slide through my life

Spring goes and spring returns, the loneliness I've walked through is very dark

Unforgettable is that moment when you entered my life

I don't believe in fate, I believe love is destined to have no reason for joy or sorrow

In my palm lines, you are there

So clear, there's no winning or losing, you are my life

Spring goes and spring returns, the loneliness I've walked through is very dark

Unforgettable is that moment when you entered my life

I don't believe in fate, I believe love is destined to have no reason for joy or sorrow

In my palm lines, you are there

So clear, there's no winning or losing, you are my life

Oh, I don't believe in fate

I believe in every test and miracle you bring into my life

In my palm lines, is it where I can find my purpose, are you willing?

Open your hands, you respond

Oh, I don't believe in fate, oh, I don't believe in fate, I only believe in you

...

[Chinese]

在我的手心 你落下的眼淚很冰

晶瑩的淚滴 輕輕滑過我的一生

春去春又回 我走過的孤獨很黑

難忘那一刻 你走進生命的瞬間

我不信命 我信愛情是沒有理由悲歡的注定

在我的掌紋中你在那裡

如此的清晰沒有輸贏你是我的命

春去春又回我走過的孤獨很黑

難忘那一刻你走進生命的瞬間

我不信命 我信愛情是沒有理由悲歡的注定

在我的掌紋中你在那裡

如此的清晰沒有輸贏你是我的命

Oh 我不信命

我信命中你給的每個考驗和奇蹟

在我的掌紋中安身立命是否願意

張開手你回應

Oh 我不信命 Oh 我不信命我只信你

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
手心 /ʃoʊ ʃɪn/ B1	noun - palm of the hand
眼淚 /jænˈtweɪ/ A2	noun - tears
冰 /bɪŋ/ A1	adjective - cold
晶瑩 /ˈdʒɪŋˌjɪŋ/ B2	adjective - sparkling; crystal clear
滑過 /huá ɡuò/ B2	verb - to glide over
一生 /ˈiːˈʃɛŋ/ A2	noun - lifetime
孤獨 /ˈɡuːˈduː/ B1	adjective - lonely; solitary
黑 /heɪ/ A1	adjective - black
難忘 /nán wàng/ B2	adjective - unforgettable
瞬間 /ˈʃuːnˈdʒiɛn/ B1	noun - moment; instant
生命 /ˈʃɛŋˈmɪŋ/ A2	noun - life
命 /mɪŋ/ B1	noun - fate; destiny
愛情 /aɪ ˈtʃɪŋ/ A2	noun - love
掌紋 /ʒɑːŋ wén/ B2	noun - palm lines
清晰 /ˈtʃɪŋˈʃiː/ B2	adjective - clear; distinct
輸贏 /ʃu yíng/ B2	noun - win or lose
考驗 /ˈkɑuˈjæn/ B2	noun - test; trial
奇蹟 /ˈtʃiˈdʒi/ B2	noun - miracle
安身立命 /ān shēn lì mìng/ C1	verb - to settle down and get on with one's life
回應 /xùyīng/ B2	verb - to respond

Key Grammar Structures

• 你落下的眼淚很冰

  ➔ Relative clause '你落下的眼淚' (the tears you shed) describes the noun

  ➔ The relative clause '你落下的眼淚' describes the tears as belonging to the subject, using '的' to link the clause to the noun.

• 我信愛情是沒有理由悲歡的注定

  ➔ Use of '是...的' to emphasize the certainty of an action or state

  ➔ The pattern '是...的' emphasizes the certainty or specific aspect of the statement, highlighting that love's nature is destined without reason.

• 在我的手心 你落下的眼淚很冰

  ➔ Prepositional phrase '在我的手心' indicating location, using '在' to specify 'in' or 'at'

  ➔ '在' is a preposition meaning 'at' or 'in', used here to specify where the tears are falling within the palm.

• 春去春又回

  ➔ Verb phrase '去回' indicating cyclic or recurring action

  ➔ Both '去' (to go) and '回' (to return) are used here to emphasize the cyclical nature of seasons or emotions.

• 難忘那一刻 你走進生命的瞬間

  ➔ Use of '那一刻' (that moment) as a noun phrase to specify a particular point in time

  ➔ The phrase '那一刻' identifies a specific point in time that is emotionally significant.

• 我不信命 我信愛情是沒有理由悲歡的注定

  ➔ Use of '是…的' to emphasize the aspect of destiny and the speaker's beliefs

  ➔ The '是...的' pattern emphasizes what the speaker truly believes is the destined nature of love, not fate.

• 张开手你回應

  ➔ Imperative sentence '张开手' (Open your hand) expressing a command

  ➔ This is a direct command for the listener or partner to open their hand, implying a gesture of responsiveness or trust.