防不勝防 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 陳奕迅

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a fantastic journey, and Eason Chan's '防不勝防' offers a unique and compelling way to dive into Cantonese. The song's narrative is rich with everyday vocabulary related to home and daily life, but used in an extraordinary, metaphorical context. It's a masterclass in lyrical storytelling, allowing learners to appreciate the subtlety and depth of Cantonese expression. What makes this song special is its 'pathological' theme – it’s a love song that is more dark and obsessive than romantic, making it a fascinating piece for discussion and analysis.

[English]

Why did that coffee cup disappear for no reason?

At home, it seems like there are several new books added.

Why can't I find your teddy bear by the bedside anymore?

The flowers in the vase just keep changing colors every day.

Maybe at this moment, you still haven't noticed.

There's a visitor at home, often sneaking in late to see you.

Taking away trivial things, then putting them down again.

It's me who lowered the record on your turntable.

Consider it secretly sharing a song together.

It's me who took the sheets from your suite.

At least I've slept where you have.

...

Why did that broken phone suddenly get fixed for no reason?

How come the dressing table is suddenly out of perfume so quickly?

Why is there suddenly an umbrella when it rains at the door?

The photos in the album just keep decreasing every day.

Maybe at this moment, you still haven't noticed.

There's a visitor at home, often sneaking in late to see you.

Taking away trivial things, then putting them down again.

It's me who lowered the record on your turntable.

Consider it secretly sharing a song together.

It's me who took the sheets from your suite.

It's me who took the waste paper from your workspace.

從你工作間帶走廢紙是我

Writing a letter to me in your handwriting.

It's me who placed the ring in your drawer.

Even if you know, you wouldn't think it's me.

...

[Chinese]

為何喝過那咖啡杯 無故失蹤了

家裡卻彷彿 增添了數本新書

為何你那床頭玩具熊 再找不到

花樽的花 偏偏天天轉色

也許這刻你 仍然尚未發覺

家中有這一個訪客 時時漏夜冒昧探你

將瑣碎東西帶走 然後又放低

在你的唱機放低唱片是我

算是暗中 一起分享過首歌

從你的套房帶走被單是我

你睡過的 至少我都睡過

為何那個故障手機 無故修好了

梳妝檯怎麼 這麼快沒有香水

為何有雨門前就突然 有一把傘

相簿的相 偏偏天天變少

也許這刻你 仍然尚未發覺

家中有這一個訪客 時時漏夜冒昧探你

將瑣碎東西帶走 然後又放低

在你的唱機放低唱片是我

算是暗中 一起分享過首歌

從你的套房帶走被單是我

你睡過的 至少我都睡過

從你工作間帶走廢紙是我

照著你的筆跡寫封信給我

在你抽屜中放低戒指是我

你就算知 也不會想 是我

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
咖啡杯 /kāfēibēi/ A2	noun - coffee cup
失蹤 /shīzōng/ B1	verb - to go missing
玩具熊 /wánjùxióng/ A2	noun - teddy bear
花樽 /huāzūn/ B2	noun - flower vase
唱機 /chàngjī/ B1	noun - record player
分享 /fēnxiǎng/ B1	verb - to share
信 /xìn/ A2	noun - letter
戒指 /jièzhǐ/ B2	noun - ring
故障 /gùzhàng/ B2	noun - malfunction
香水 /xiāngshuǐ/ B1	noun - perfume
雨 /yǔ/ A1	noun - rain
傘 /sǎn/ A2	noun - umbrella
相簿 /xiāngbù/ B1	noun - photo album
工作間 /gōngzuòjiān/ B2	noun - workspace
廢紙 /fèizhǐ/ B2	noun - waste paper