Imperfect – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 周柏豪
• Album: Imperfect Collection

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the heartfelt Canto-pop ballad "Imperfect" by Pakho Chau, a song that transcends typical love stories to offer a profound message of self-acceptance and resilience. Through its introspective lyrics and optimistic melody, you can explore nuanced Cantonese vocabulary related to emotions, challenges, and personal growth. The song's unique blend of candid personal reflection and universal encouragement makes it a special piece for language learners, providing authentic expressions of finding beauty and wisdom in life's less-than-perfect moments.

[English]

Facing the mirror, often regret myself

Beauty’s imperfection makes you sigh with heartbreak

Reality can’t be turned around

More flaws than dreams, endless regrets on reunion

Look in the mirror again, find a little bit of worth

Can’t find someone in the world who hasn’t shown

Those dark sides before

From a positive view, even cloudy days turn bright

From a positive view, even stains shine with beauty

Enjoying the moment when the coffee cup broke that day

Like diamond glass—shattered, but still sparkling

Who writes a biography filled with joy, every page

Who’s lucky enough, step by step, trusting your faith

Learning wisdom from every drop of regret

Realize even monsters can be delicate, shouldn’t hate

...

Wisdom helps you transform the unchanging blemishes

How many twists and tears in this act of yours

Then laugh, and perform it well again

From a positive view, even cloudy days turn bright

From a positive view, even stains shine with beauty

Enjoying the moment when the coffee cup broke that day

Like diamond glass—shattered, but still sparkling

Who writes a biography filled with joy, every page

Who’s lucky enough, step by step, trusting your faith

Learning wisdom from every drop of regret

In flaws and faults, find humor and light

...

From a positive view, even ancient relics feel fresh

From a positive view, even pessimism can be balanced

Long-closed cameras still record faint light

Missing person in the photo, standing next to you

Who can walk through each day perfectly, never losing

Who, at the end of the journey, finally reaches their goal

Within the worst times, another kind of perfection exists

In fractured mirrors, you and your reflection encourage each other

...

[Chinese]

面對鏡子常自怨

美麗當中那不完全 令你嘆息心酸

實況也不能逆轉

缺陷多於理想團圓 憾事沒法數完

再照照鏡總可找到一絲絲優點

放眼世界豈可找到誰沒有

流露過 那些陰暗面

從好處著眼即使陰天都變作好天

從好處著眼即使污漬都滲透美豔

能欣賞咖啡杯 在那天跌爛的一剎

像鑽石那樣玻璃碎會閃

誰寫上傳記只得歡欣寫滿每一篇

誰擁有運氣一級一級依照你信念

從每滴遺憾裡學到的這人生高見

便發現怪物也看出精緻 不應討厭

智慧令你好好轉化不變的污點

你這套戲幾許轉折流淚過

然後笑 再好好去演

從好處著眼即使陰天都變作好天

從好處著眼即使污漬都滲透美豔

能欣賞咖啡杯 在那天跌爛的一剎

像鑽石那樣玻璃碎會閃

誰寫上傳記只得歡欣鋪滿每一篇

誰擁有運氣一級一級依照你信念

從每滴遺憾裡學到的這人生高見

在錯誤裡面挑剔到缺點 也發現到笑點

從好處著眼即使古蹟都變作新鮮

從好處著眼即使悲觀不致太片面

塵封的照相機 亦記低暗淡的光線

合照上缺席那位放身邊

誰可以做到不失一分走過每一天

誰走到盡處真的終於走到你志願

從最壞時代裡另有種完美的主義

在破裂鏡內與你的面容 互相嘉勉

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
面對 (miàn duì) /mi̯ɛ̂ntu̯èi̯/ B1	verb - to face, to confront
鏡子 (jìng zi) /t͡ɕiŋ˥tsi/ A1	noun - mirror
缺陷 (quē xiàn) /t͡ɕʰy̯ɛ́ɕi̯ɛ̀n/ B2	noun - defect, flaw
理想 (lǐ xiǎng) /li˧˩ɕiaŋ˨˩/ B1	noun - ideal
團圓 (tuán yuán) /tʰwǎnɥɛ̌n/ B2	verb - to reunite
憾事 (hàn shì) /hân ʂî/ B2	noun - regretful matter
優點 (yōu diǎn) /joʊ di̯ɛn/ A2	noun - advantage, merit, strong point
世界 (shì jiè) /ʂî t͡ɕjɛ̂/ A1	noun - world
陰暗 (yīn àn) /ín ân/ B2	adjective - dark, gloomy
欣賞 (xīn shǎng) /ɕín ʂǎŋ/ B1	verb - to appreciate
鑽石 (zuàn shí) /t͡swân ʂǐ/ B1	noun - diamond
傳記 (zhuàn jì) /ʈ͡ʂwân t͡ɕî/ B2	noun - biography
運氣 (yùn qì) /ŷn t͡ɕʰî/ B1	noun - luck, fortune
遺憾 (yí hàn) /ǐ hân/ B2	noun - regret
怪物 (guài wù) /kwâi û/ B1	noun - monster
錯誤 (cuò wù) /tsʰwô û/ A2	noun - mistake, error
悲觀 (bēi guān) /péi kwán/ B2	adjective - pessimistic
完美 (wán měi) /wǎn mèi/ B1	adjective - perfect
嘉勉 (jiā miǎn) /t͡ɕjá mi̯ɛ̀n/ C1	verb - to commend, to encourage

Key Grammar Structures

• 即使陰天都變作好天

  ➔ Even if (即使) the sky is cloudy, it will turn into a sunny day.

  ➔ The phrase uses the structure '即使 + verb/phrase, ...' to express the idea of 'even if' or 'despite'.

• 由每滴遺憾裡學到的這人生高見

  ➔ The structure '由...裡' (from...inside) indicates the source or origin of learning or inspiration.

  ➔ This structure shows the origin or source of something, often used to indicate where learning or realization comes from.

• 誰寫上傳記只得歡欣寫滿每一篇

  ➔ The phrase '只得' expresses 'only' or 'nothing but' as a limitation or restriction.

  ➔ This phrase indicates a limitation, meaning 'only' or 'nothing but', emphasizing the exclusivity of an action.

• 在破裂鏡內與你的面容 互相嘉勉

  ➔ The phrase '與...嘉勉' indicates 'mutually compliment or encourage' between two parties.

  ➔ This phrase demonstrates mutual encouragement or compliment, emphasizing positive reinforcement between individuals.

• 誰擁有運氣一級一級依照你信念

  ➔ The pattern '一級一級' indicates a step-by-step progression or grading, emphasizing gradual increase.

  ➔ This pattern emphasizes gradual progression or improvement in levels or grades.

• 從好處著眼即使陰天都變作好天

  ➔ '從...著眼' indicates to focus on or view from a particular perspective.

  ➔ This phrase indicates to look at or consider something from a specific perspective, often to find positivity.