コントラスト – Bilingual Lyrics Japanese/English

• By: TOMOO

Lyrics & Translation

Learning Japanese through 'Contrast' by TOMOO offers a unique opportunity to connect with the nuanced and delicate expressions of emotion in the language. The song's lyrics, which beautifully articulate the conflicting feelings of happiness and sadness in love, can help you understand how subtle word choices, like the use of hiragana for 'かなしい' (kanashii), can convey multiple layers of meaning. 'Contrast' is special because it captures a universal experience of youthful love with a distinctly Japanese lyrical sensibility, making it both a touching song and a valuable tool for language learners.

[English]

To cool my flushed cheeks

The evening breeze is gentle

Today, walking together with you, becomes lifelong

Casually, so gentle without thinking

Even though I understand perfectly

Ah, my focus sharpens intensely

Just a single word makes my heart heat up

A tiny little sign

I start dreaming

Why am I so happy?

Why am I so sad?

Even now, I watch from beside you

I burned your distant profile into my memory, ah

Today still feels out of reach

Even though you're near

In the clear morning air

Suddenly, I find myself seeking your back

My spine, strangely stretched out

Today, it's because of you again

A single frame brings on the blues

But even just a second feels sweet

Ah, I can still do my best

Surely, even if I draw a line

I’ll cross it and reach you anyway

Presence, voice, glances

Why am I so happy?

Why am I so lonely?

Running as always, I keep thinking of

Your eyes, ah

I can't hide it anymore

Pretending I’m fine

Finally noticing my bravado

Ah, I can't walk properly

But even in those moments

You always notice me

Because I end up overflowing

Why am I so happy?

Why am I so sad?

Even now, I watch from beside you

I burned your distant profile into my memory, ah

Today still feels out of reach

Even though you're near

[Japanese]

火照った頬をさますような

夕方の風はやさしい

並んで君と歩いた今日が一生物になる

何の気なしに優しい

ってちゃんとわかってるのに

ああ 跳ね上がる集中力

たった一言で熱い

ほんの小さな兆し

夢見てしまう

なんでこんなに嬉しいの

なんでこんなにかなしいの

今も隣で眺めてる

遠い横顔焼きつけた ああ

今日はまだ届かない

近くにいるのに

冴えた朝の空気に

気づけば背中を探してる

やけに伸びた背筋は

今日も君のせいだった

たった一コマでブルー

でもほんの一秒が甘い

ああ 頑張れるよ まだ

きっと線を引いても

超えて届いてしまう

気配、声、視線

なんでこんなに嬉しいの

なんでこんなに寂しいの

相も変わらず走るのは

君の瞳が浮かぶから ああ

もうこれ以上隠せない

何でもない顔して

やっと気づいた強がり

ああ 上手く歩けない

でもそんな時ほど君は

決まって気づいちゃうから

溢れてしまう

なんでこんなに嬉しいの

なんでこんなにかなしいの

今も隣で眺めてる

遠い横顔焼きつけた ああ

今日はまだ届かない

近くにいるのに

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
頬 (hoho) /hoːho/ B1	noun - cheek
夕方 (yuugata) /juːɡata/ A2	noun - evening
風 (kaze) /kaze/ A1	noun - wind
今日 (kyou) /kʲoː/ A1	noun - today
一生 (isshou) /isːɕoː/ B2	noun - lifetime
集中力 (shuuchuuryoku) /ʃuːt͡ɕuːɾʲokɯ/ C1	noun - concentration
一言 (hitokoto) /hitoꜜkoto/ A2	noun - a word
兆し (kizashi) /kizashi/ B2	noun - sign, omen
隣 (tonari) /toꜜnaɾi/ A2	noun - next to, adjacent
横顔 (yokogao) /jokogao/ B1	noun - profile (of a face)
空 (sora) /soɾa/ A1	noun - sky
背中 (senaka) /seꜜnaka/ A2	noun - back (of body)
瞳 (hitomi) /hitoꜜmi/ B1	noun - pupil (of eye)
顔 (kao) /kao/ A1	noun - face
時 (toki) /toki/ A1	noun - time

Key Grammar Structures

• ような

  ➔ like, such as

  ➔ Used to make a comparison or to describe something similar to another.

• って

  ➔ quotative marker, colloquial for 'to say' or 'that'

  ➔ A casual or colloquial form used to quote or indicate reported speech.

• 一瞬で

  ➔ in an instant, in a split second

  ➔ Expresses that something happens very quickly or instantly.

• ばかり

  ➔ just, only, nothing but

  ➔ Indicates that the action is limited to or only happens in that way.

• ても

  ➔ even if, regardless of

  ➔ Used to indicate that the following statement holds true even if the condition is met.

• たとたん

  ➔ the moment when, just as

  ➔ Indicates that immediately after one action, another action occurs.

• ながら

  ➔ while, although

  ➔ Used to indicate two simultaneous actions or a contrast between two statements.