哀的美敦書 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: Dear Jane

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a linguistic journey through Cantopop with Dear Jane's evocative song, "Ultimatum" (哀的美敦書). This powerful rock ballad offers a unique window into Hong Kong's contemporary music scene and the Cantonese language. By exploring its heartfelt lyrics and rich cultural context, you can gain a deeper understanding of everyday expressions and emotional nuances in Cantonese. The song's relatable theme of unrequited love and its poignant storytelling make it an ideal piece for language learners to connect with, enhancing both vocabulary and comprehension through an engaging musical experience.

[English]

Painfully sending a warning letter

From a loyal fan supporting you for ten years

Could it be that I can only be your strongest last shield?

Not allowed to upgrade, finally embracing your idol

Only ask you to cherish someone like me — there aren’t many in this world

If I step out of your script and lose something, have you thought about it?

I really want to keep worshiping you—would you give me two miracles?

Honestly, I’m afraid to ask for too much

Sometimes really pretending to like you—who dares to complain or despair?

Becoming your close friend is the most useless throne

Even if you won't love me, don’t give me the seat of care anymore

...

Let’s forget it, this familiar act

Is it so hard to see through close friendship, ambiguity, and love?

Or is it secretly you who’s afraid?

Wearing your poker face, does no one wreck you anymore?

Only ask you to cherish someone like me — there aren’t many in this world

If I step out of your script and lose something, have you thought about it?

I really want to keep worshiping you—would you give me two miracles?

Honestly, I’m afraid to ask for too much

Sometimes really pretending to like you—who dares to complain or despair?

Becoming your close friend is the most useless throne

Even if you won’t love me, don’t give me the seat of care anymore

The love song of sadness and beauty

Come, sing the fall of perfection

Of course, I hope you’ll catch me

What will happen if I fall apart into a galaxy full of stars?

Wow

Please cherish me—someone like me—there aren’t many in this world

Whatever you tip, it’s effective—making up for mistakes

I dare not hope to kiss your collar—we just want to touch it

Honestly, I’m afraid to ask for too much

In negotiations, I only dare to pressure you—why wrestle over charity with me?

No one fed me before—don’t blame me for losing my breath and collapsing

If you want to consume me again, quickly bleed a little for me

...

[Chinese]

哀痛地 遞來警告信

來自一位擁護十年 忠心的觀眾

難道只可當你最强 後盾

不可升級最後和偶像抱擁

唯有講請珍惜我 這般的我 人間都不太多

若我走出你劇本 失去什麼 你可想過

很想我繼續崇拜你 獎我兩滴神蹟麼？

真的不敢講價太多

能間中真的給你 扮喜歡過 誰敢再嘆奈何

成為你密友 是最沒有用寶座

就算不肯愛我 别再將關愛座給我

省了吧 熟人的戲碼

難道深交 曖昧 動情 分不清楚嗎？

還是得益的你暗地 害怕

底牌一穿再沒人縱壞你嗎？

唯有講請珍惜我 這般的我 人間都不太多

若我走出你劇本 失去什麼 你可想過

很想我繼續崇拜你 獎我兩滴神蹟麼？

真的不敢講價太多

能間中真的給你 扮喜歡過 誰敢再嘆奈何

成為你密友 是最沒有用寶座

就算不肯愛我 别再將關愛座給我

哀的美敦的戀歌

來 唱罷完美地下墮

我當然盼你截住我

結果可會碎落滿星河

Wow

留我的請珍惜我 這般的我 人間都不太多

任你打賞個什麽 都有效果 以功補過

不敢寄厚望能吻你 衣角也願能摸摸

真的不敢講價太多

談判中只敢迫你 施捨這個何必與我拔河

無人餵飼過 别怪就氣絕倒卧

若再想消費我 儘快輸點血液給我

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
哀痛 /āitòng/ C1	adjective - grief-stricken, sorrowful
警告 /jǐnggào/ B2	noun - warning verb - to warn
擁護 /yōnghù/ C1	verb - to support, to uphold
忠心 /zhōngxīn/ B2	adjective - loyal, devoted
觀眾 /guānzhòng/ A2	noun - audience, spectator
後盾 /hòudùn/ C1	noun - backing, support
升級 /shēngjí/ B2	verb - to upgrade, to escalate
珍惜 /zhēnxī/ B2	verb - to cherish, to treasure
劇本 /jùběn/ B1	noun - script, screenplay
崇拜 /chóngbài/ B2	verb - to worship, to adore
神蹟 /shénjī/ C2	noun - miracle
密友 /mìyǒu/ B2	noun - close friend, confidant
寶座 /bǎozuò/ C1	noun - throne
曖昧 /àimèi/ B2	adjective - ambiguous, vague
動情 /dòngqíng/ C1	verb - to be moved emotionally, to fall in love
害怕 /hàipà/ A2	verb - to be afraid, to fear
完美 /wánměi/ B1	adjective - perfect
截住 /jiézhù/ C1	verb - to intercept, to stop
碎落 /suìluò/ C2	verb - to shatter, to fall into pieces

Key Grammar Structures

• 來自一位擁護十年 忠心的觀眾

  ➔ 來自 (láizì) indicates origin or source, similar to 'from' in English.

  ➔ The phrase '來自' is used to express the origin or source of something or someone.

• 難道只可當你最强 後盾

  ➔ 只可 (zhǐkě) expresses 'only' or 'merely' in a restrictive sense.

  ➔ '只可' means 'can only' or 'may only' in a restrictive sense.

• 若我走出你劇本 失去什麼 你可想過

  ➔ 若 (ruò) introduces a hypothetical condition, similar to 'if' in English.

  ➔ '若' means 'if' or 'in case' in the context of imagining a hypothetical situation.

• 就算不肯愛我 别再將關愛座給我

  ➔ 就算 (jiùsuàn) expresses 'even if' or 'even though' indicating concession.

  ➔ '就算' means 'even if' or 'even though', used to introduce conceding conditions.

• 成為你密友 是最沒有用寶座

  ➔ 是 (shì) is a copula linking the subject and predicate.

  ➔ '是' functions as a linking verb that states identity or equivalence between subject and predicate.

• 我當然盼你截住我

  ➔ 當然 (dāngrán) expresses 'of course' or 'certainly'.

  ➔ '當然' means 'of course' or 'naturally', indicating certainty or obviousness.

• 談判中只敢迫你 施捨這個何必與我拔河

  ➔ 只敢 (zhǐgǎn) indicates 'dare only to' or 'only daring to'.

  ➔ '只敢' means 'dare only to' or 'only has the courage to', used to describe limited bravery.