相安無事 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: Pakho Chau

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the beauty of the Chinese language through Pakho Chau's “相安無事”. This song offers a glimpse into Hong Kong Cantopop, blending serene imagery with deeper emotional undercurrents. Explore the nuances of the lyrics and appreciate the cultural richness embedded in this song.

[English]

The bright moon hangs on the willow tip, you are close beside me in bed.

Holding the old cat in my arms, let's take a lazy nap.

Then there’s no cat anymore, just a gun and a spear in hand.

The best time has come, but we’ve already broken down halfway.

Actually, what I want most is to indulge a bit more in these boring days.

It would be best if there were no heartache, just new things to explore.

Afraid that one day I’ll be overwhelmed by surprises, with no peaceful days.

I’ll take back my words first, a lifetime, a set of books, I don’t mind.

...

In the hot summer, eating ice cream with my grandmother.

Listening to opera all day, sewing my quilt.

The most familiar parting is the pursuit of small rewards.

A great future ahead, yet no way back.

Actually, what I want most is to indulge a bit more in these boring days.

It would be best if there were no heartache, just new things to explore.

Afraid that one day I’ll be overwhelmed by surprises, with no peaceful days.

I’ll take back my words first, a lifetime, a set of books, I don’t mind.

...

Just like lying in the hospital ten times.

My body knows to pay attention first.

Who is important, from the unknown.

Until she can’t stay, and then from then on.

What I want most is to indulge a bit more in these boring days.

The highest reward is that we can coexist peacefully.

I wish you knew that what I want most is to return home and enjoy the most ordinary days.

Every day with you, one blanket, one piece of clothing, I’m satisfied.

...

[Chinese]

明月掛在柳梢 床上你在緊靠

懷內抱著老貓 來睡個懶覺

然後再沒有貓 手中得槍和矛

最正好的時辰 半路已拋錨

其實 我最想貪多一點是無聊日子

最好 可以 沒傷心的新奇事 在透支

怕有天飽遭驚喜沒平靜日子

我先反悔 一輩子 一套書 不介意

炎夏吃著雪糕 陪著我外祖母

全日聽著戲曲 縫著我被套

離別最熟被鋪 苦追些小酬勞

偉大的好前途 卻沒有歸途

其實 我最想貪多一點是無聊日子

最好 可以 沒傷心的新奇事 在透支

怕有天飽遭驚喜沒平靜日子

我先反悔 一輩子 一套書 不介意

就似 醫院都躺過十次

身體先懂注意

誰重要 從未知

直到她不能留住 然後至此

我最想貪多一點是無聊日子

最高 賞賜 是彼此相安無事

願你知 我最想歸家安享 極尋常日子

每天跟你 一被子 一布衣 都滿意

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
明月 (míng yuè) /mǐŋ ɥœ̀/ B2	noun - bright moon
柳梢 (liǔ shāo) /ljòʊ ʂáʊ/ C1	noun - willow tip
懷 (huái) /hwǎɪ/ B2	noun - bosom, heart, mind
貓 (māo) /máʊ/ A1	noun - cat
睡覺 (shuì jiào) /ʂwèi ʥjâʊ/ A1	verb - to sleep
槍 (qiāng) /tɕʰjáŋ/ B1	noun - gun, spear
矛 (máo) /mǎʊ/ B2	noun - spear, lance
時辰 (shí chén) /ʂʐ̩ tʂʰə̌n/ B2	noun - time, moment
拋錨 (pāo máo) /pʰáʊ mǎʊ/ C1	verb - to break down (of a vehicle), to drop anchor
貪多 (tān duō) /tʰán dwɔ/ C1	verb - to be greedy, to want more
無聊 (wú liáo) /wǔ ljǎʊ/ A2	adjective - boring, meaningless
傷心 (shāng xīn) /ʂáŋ ɕín/ B1	adjective - sad, heartbroken
新奇 (xīn qí) /ɕín tɕʰǐ/ B2	adjective - novel, new
驚喜 (jīng xǐ) /tɕíŋ ɕǐ/ B1	noun - surprise
平靜 (píng jìng) /pʰǐŋ tɕîŋ/ A2	adjective - calm, peaceful
炎夏 (yán xià) /jǎn ɕjâ/ C1	noun - hot summer
雪糕 (xuě gāo) /ɕɥè káʊ/ A2	noun - ice cream
外祖母 (wài zǔ mǔ) /wâɪ tsù mù/ A2	noun - maternal grandmother
戲曲 (xì qǔ) /ɕî tɕʰŷ/ B2	noun - traditional opera
被套 (bèi tào) /pêɪ tʰâʊ/ A2	noun - duvet cover
離別 (lí bié) /lǐ pjě/ B1	verb - to leave, to part
酬勞 (chóu láo) /tʂʰǒʊ lǎʊ/ B2	noun - reward, payment
前途 (qián tú) /tɕʰjěn tʰǔ/ B1	noun - future, prospect
歸途 (guī tú) /kwéɪ tʰǔ/ B2	noun - way home, return journey
醫院 (yī yuàn) /í ɥân/ A1	noun - hospital
身體 (shēn tǐ) /ʂən tʰi/ A1	noun - body
注意 (zhù yì) /ʈʂû î/ A2	verb - to pay attention to
賞賜 (shǎng cì) /ʂàŋ tsʰî/ C1	noun - reward, gift from a superior
相安無事 (xiāng ān wú shì) /ɕjáŋ án wǔ ʂî/ C2	adjective - to live in peace, to be safe and sound
歸家 (guī jiā) /kwéɪ ʥja/ B1	verb - to return home
安享 (ān xiǎng) /án ɕjǎŋ/ B2	verb - to enjoy a comfortable life
尋常 (xún cháng) /ɕɥən tʂʰáŋ/ B2	adjective - ordinary, common
布衣 (bù yī) /pû í/ C1	noun - cotton clothes, commoner
滿意 (mǎn yì) /màn î/ A2	adjective - satisfied

Key Grammar Structures

• 最正好的時辰 半路已拋錨

  ➔ Use of '已' to indicate completion or a state achieved.

  ➔ '已' indicates that the action of '抛錨' (breaking down/stranding) has already happened by the time of the reference.

• 怕有天飽遭驚喜沒平靜日子

  ➔ Use of '怕' to express fear or concern about a future event.

  ➔ '怕' introduces a clause indicating the speaker's concern about an uncertain future event.

• 每天跟你 一被子 一布衣 都滿意

  ➔ Repetition of '一' to emphasize 'one' or 'a single' as a unit of measure or emphasis.

  ➔ '一' is used repeatedly to emphasize the simplicity and completeness of shared everyday items with a sense of unity or sufficiency.

• 其實 我最想貪多一點是無聊日子

  ➔ Use of '其实' to introduce a contrast or reveal the true feelings behind the statements.

  ➔ '其实' indicates that what is being said is the true feeling or a clarification that contrasts with previous assumptions.

• 願你知 我最想歸家安享 極尋常日子

  ➔ Use of '願' to express a wish or hope.

  ➔ '願' is used to convey a sincere wish or hope for the other person's understanding or happiness.

• 最想歸家安享 極尋常日子

  ➔ Use of '最' to indicate the superlative or the most desired.

  ➔ '最' expresses the speaker's aspiration to prioritize or achieve the utmost level of peace and normality in daily life.