離別時刻 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 周殷廷, 潘韋光

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a linguistic journey with "離別時刻" (Time of Departure), a poignant Cantonese pop song by 周殷廷 and 潘韋光. Through its expressive lyrics and emotional melody, you can explore themes of friendship, youth, and the bittersweet nature of goodbyes. Learning this song will not only deepen your understanding of Cantonese vocabulary and idiomatic expressions related to emotions and relationships but also offer insights into the cultural significance of graduation and parting in Chinese-speaking communities. Its relatable narrative makes it a special piece for language learners to connect with on an emotional level.

[English]

Cellblock laughter

The bells ring for me every day

Dreaming, yet feeling so clear and sharp

Crying until my eyes are dry on the court

How to lead us forward

Don't be afraid of what tomorrow holds

Too many weekly meetings

Worrying every day about getting scolded

Discipline talks, too much talk

Good friends and close companions, I can't walk with you

Still wishing you all the best

See you again at the school gate tomorrow

At the moment of parting, don’t cry like I do

This summer lesson

Remembering the happiness of that day, so bright, we forgot to celebrate

Parting moments also need to grow up

If you think back and laugh or cry one day

Just don’t forget me

In photos, we can still meet again

Together, reporting to class

Documenting that tough lesson

After school, everyone taking selfies, holding on tight

Fate hasn't gone away, don’t wave goodbye for too long

Parting to strive separately

Scatter all over, don’t look back

At parting moments, don’t cry like I do

This summer lesson

Remembering the happiness of that day, so bright, we forgot to celebrate

Parting moments also need to grow up

If you think back and laugh or cry one day

Just don’t forget me

In photos, we can still meet again

Experiencing highs and lows with you, watching the endless scenery

The last lesson, still can be a dance

At parting moments, don’t cry like I do

All that’s left is this one lesson

No matter how many times we part, this promise remains just as strong as the first

Reunion moments will be even more resilient

If you think back to certain days

In any situation

Remember, we will meet again next year

In our group photos, tears may fall, but it’s not just me

[Chinese]

班房 笑聲

每日鐘聲給我聽

發夢 卻是最清醒

球場上哭乾一對眼睛

怎麼帶領

明日的心不要驚

週會 太多

每日擔心給記過

訓導 理論太囉嗦

良朋密友 不可共你走

仍祝福你我

明日再會校門口

離別時刻別哭像我

盛夏這一課

懷念當天快樂過 多燦爛忘了慶賀

離別時刻亦須大個

若想起某天哭笑過

但別遺忘我

照片中仍能 相聚過

一起 報科

紀錄艱深的某課

放學 各自拍緊拖

緣份未走 揮手別太久

分開奮鬥

流落各地別回首

離別時刻別哭像我

盛夏這一課

懷念當天快樂過 多燦爛忘了慶賀

離別時刻亦須大個

若想起某天哭笑過

但別遺忘我

照片中仍能相聚過

與你歷盡遍高低 風景悠悠看過

最終的一課 仍可 探戈

離別時刻別哭像我

就剩下這一課

無論幾次闊別過 這約定仍似最初

重聚時刻定更堅壯

若想起某天的過往

在任何情況

要記得來年相聚過

合照中 流下眼涙 亦不只我

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
笑聲 /ˈsjaʊ ʃəŋ/ B1	noun - laughter
發夢 /faː mʊŋ/ B1	verb - to dream; daydream
清醒 /t͡ʃʰɪŋ ʃɪŋ/ B2	adjective - sober; clear-headed; awake
哭 /kʰu/ A1	verb - to cry
眼睛 /jǎn d͡ʒɪŋ/ A1	noun - eye
心 /ɕin/ A1	noun - heart, mind
擔心 /ˈdɑn ɕin/ A2	verb - to worry
祝福 /ˈʈ͡ʂu fʊk/ B1	verb - to wish well; to bless
懷念 /xwaɪ̯ ni̯ɛn/ B2	verb - to cherish the memory of; to think fondly of
快樂 /kʰwaɪ lɤ/ A1	adjective - happy
燦爛 /tsʰàn làn/ B2	adjective - brilliant; glorious; resplendent
遺忘 /i wɑŋ/ B2	verb - to forget; to leave behind
艱深 /d͡ʒjɑn ʃən/ C1	adjective - difficult and profound; abstruse
緣份 /jüɛn fən/ B2	noun - fate; predestined relationship
奮鬥 /fən toʊ/ B2	verb - to strive; to struggle
風景 /fəŋ t͡ɕiŋ/ A2	noun - scenery; landscape
堅壯 /d͡ʒjɛn ʈ͡ʂwaŋ/ B2	adjective - strong and sturdy

Key Grammar Structures

• 離別時刻別哭像我

  ➔ Imperative + negative + comparison

  ➔ The phrase uses the **imperative** form combined with **'別哭'** (don't cry) and a comparison **像我** (like me) to express encouragement and emotional comparison.

• 盛夏這一課

  ➔ Temporal phrase + classifier + noun

  ➔ The phrase **盛夏這一課** indicates a specific **time period** (mid-summer) using the word **盛夏** and the measure word **這一課** to refer to the lesson or experience during that time.

• 若想起某天哭笑過

  ➔ Conditional phrase + past experience

  ➔ The phrase **若想起某天哭笑過** uses the **conditional** **若想起** (if remember/recall) and the **past tense** **哭笑過** to discuss recalling a moment of crying and laughing in the past.

• 照片中仍能相聚過

  ➔ Ability + modal verb + verb + aspect particle

  ➔ The phrase **仍能相聚過** combines **仍能** (still able to) indicating **ability**, with the verb **相聚** (to gather) and the aspect particle **過** to suggest the possibility of reuniting despite past distances.