明知故犯 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 胡鴻鈞

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the emotive world of Cantonese through Hubert Wu's powerful rendition of "明知故犯." This song offers an excellent opportunity to grasp complex emotional vocabulary and expressions in Cantonese. Its poignant lyrics, particularly the recurring theme of self-inflicted pain in love, make it special, providing a window into the nuanced way emotions are conveyed in Hong Kong pop music. By exploring the narrative of enduring heartbreak despite knowing better, learners can connect deeply with the language's capacity for raw, relatable human experience.

[English]

Why do we have to cry? Even when we cry, we still have to face it. Such pointless burdens.

How can I bear to lose? Honestly, I don’t blame anyone — I hold it in your palm.

Yet I choose to dwell in loneliness.

Why fear loneliness? Missing a partner when alone — suffering in sweetness.

No matter what I say, it’s never right. No matter who you want to love, it’s in your control.

My passion’s always within reach.

Everyone knows, every night with her — her secrets. Sadly, I was blind.

The truth — it should be clear. But I can’t even hum a single note.

Everyone knows, every night with her — her secrets. I’m willing to be just your backdrop.

Getting your love, yet needing to endure your caprice.

Why fear loneliness? Missing a partner when alone — suffering in sweetness.

No matter what I say, it’s never right. No matter who you want to love, it’s in your control.

My passion’s always within reach.

Everyone knows, every night with her — her secrets. Sadly, I was blind.

The truth — it should be clear. But I can’t even hum a single note.

Everyone knows, every night with her — her secrets. I’m willing to be just your backdrop.

Getting your love, yet needing to endure your caprice.

Everyone knows, every night with her — her secrets. Sadly, I was blind.

The truth — it should be clear. But I can’t even hum a single note.

Everyone knows, every night with her — her secrets. I’m willing to be just your backdrop.

Getting your love, yet needing to endure your caprice.

Everything was predestined — because both you and I are stubborn.

Everything was predestined — because both you and I are stubborn.

...

[Chinese]

為何要落淚 落淚仍要一個面對 無謂的負累

怎麼不忍失去 其實我不怪誰 在你掌心裡

偏偏我要孤單的寄居

為何要恐懼 寂寞時欠一個伴侶 甜蜜中受罪

怎麼講都不對 無論你想愛誰 在你掌握裡

我熱情隨時在手裡

誰也知 夜夜與她那內情 可惜我瞎了眼睛

真相 那須說明 而我卻哼不出半聲

誰也知 夜夜與她那內情 甘心去做你佈景

得到 你的愛情 還要再得到你任性

為何要恐懼 寂寞時欠一個伴侶 甜蜜中受罪

怎麼講都不對 無論你想愛誰 在你掌握裡

我熱情隨時在手裡

誰也知 夜夜與她那內情 可惜我瞎了眼睛

真相 那須說明 而我卻哼不出半聲

誰也知 夜夜與她那內情 甘心去做你佈景

得到 你的愛情 還要再得到你任性

誰也知 夜夜與她那內情 可惜我瞎了眼睛

真相 那須說明 而我卻哼不出半聲

誰也知 夜夜與她那內情 甘心去做你佈景

得到 你的愛情 還要再得到你任性

一切 原是註定 因我跟你都任性

一切 原是註定 因我跟你都任性

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
落淚 /lɔk̚ tsɵy̯⁵/ B2	verb - to shed tears
面對 /miːn tɵy̯⁵/ B1	verb - to face, to confront
負累 /fuː lɵy̯³/ C1	noun - burden, encumbrance
失去 /sɐt̚ hɵy̯¹/ B1	verb - to lose
孤單 /kuː taːn¹/ B2	adjective - lonely, solitary
寄居 /kiː kɵy̯¹/ C2	verb - to live as a dependent
恐懼 /kʊŋ kɵy̯²/ B2	noun - fear, dread
寂寞 /tsɪk mɔk̚⁶/ B1	adjective - lonely, lonesome
伴侶 /pun tɵy̯⁵/ B2	noun - companion, partner
甜蜜 /tʰiːm mɐt̚⁶/ B1	adjective - sweet, happy
受罪 /sɐu̯⁶ tsɵy̯²/ C1	verb - to suffer
掌握 /tsɔŋ kɔk̚³/ C1	noun - control, grasp
熱情 /jit̚ tsʰɪŋ²/ B2	noun - passion, enthusiasm
內情 /nɵy̯⁶ tsʰɪŋ²/ C1	noun - inside story, the real situation
瞎 /hɐt̚³/ B2	adjective - blind
真相 /tsɐn sœːŋ¹/ B2	noun - truth, the real facts
佈景 /puː kɪŋ²/ C1	noun - stage setting, backdrop
任性 /jɐm⁶ sɪŋ³/ B2	adjective - willful, capricious
註定 /t͡syː tɪŋ⁶/ C1	verb - destined, fated

Key Grammar Structures

• 為何要落淚

  ➔ Why + 要 + verb

  ➔ The structure "為何要" means "why must" or "why do you have to".

• 在你掌心裡

  ➔ Preposition + 在 + noun / pronoun + 裡

  ➔ The phrase "在你掌心裡" means "in the palm of your hand".

• 偏偏我要孤單的寄居

  ➔ Adverb + 要 + verb

  ➔ The word "偏偏" emphasizes doing something deliberately or against expectations.

• 怎麼講都不對

  ➔ 怎麼 + verb + 都 + 不 + verb

  ➔ The pattern "怎麼都不對" means "no matter how" or "everything is wrong".

• 甘心去做你佈景

  ➔ 甘心 + 去 + verb

  ➔ The expression "甘心去做" indicates willingly or gladly doing something.

• 一切 原是註定

  ➔ 一切 + 原是 + verb / phrase

  ➔ The phrase "一切原是註定" conveys that everything was predestined or fated.