天窗 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 容祖兒

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the nuances of Cantonese through Joey Yung's poignant ballad, "天窗". This song provides a window into the emotional complexities of relationships and offers a rich linguistic experience with its evocative lyrics and heartfelt delivery.

[English]

Silently sipping tea, secretly calculating

The ripples in the teacup will expand

If there’s nothing urgent, why did you ask to meet me?

Breakup talks at the edge of your lips

Let silence spread, it can't save you, I’ve tried too many times

Running away is even more convenient (How can I trust my conscience?)

In fact, I’ve rehearsed these words over ten times

But when the moment comes, I feel a softening heart

No need to open the skylight

Pretending not to know is also understanding

Heartlessly exposing the truth, just to (not seem cold)

Pretending to be honest for comfort

No need to fire another shot

The real killer still wounds the heart

Tonight’s dinner, you pay the bill (This debt should be paid by me)

...

I care about my image, don’t want to reveal my sadness

I’ll pretend no one owes me; parting is because I want to (I’ll do my best to carry you, we sing even in goodbye)

No need to open the skylight (Am I so lacking?)

Pretending not to know is also understanding (Willing to unveil the skylight)

Heartlessly exposing the truth, just to (end in pain)

Pretending to be honest for comfort

No need to fire another shot

Even if we part, we should do so gracefully (Tears shed, but I hope you understand)

Tonight’s dinner, you pay the bill (This debt should be paid by me)

A beautiful ending surpasses the truth, this ending is too kind

Without any hostility, no need to hurt the heart

No need to open the skylight

Pretending not to know is also understanding

Heartlessly exposing the truth, just to

Pretending to be honest for relief

No need to fire another shot

Even if we part, we should do so gracefully (Tears shed, but I hope you forgive)

Tonight’s dinner, you pay the bill (Tonight’s dinner, I should pay)

No need to see me off, the door should be closed

...

[Chinese]

默默地 喝着茶 暗中的 計算

茶杯 風波將擴展

若是沒要事 你怎會約我相見

分手講到了 咀邊

讓靜默 去蔓延 救不了你 太多遍

逃走 還更 方便 (良心 不知 怎算)

事實上對白已經 練習十餘遍

臨陣卻覺得 心軟

毋須打開天窗

能裝不知 也算體諒

狠心揭破真相 無非想 (我不風涼)

扮誠實來換舒暢

毋須開多一槍

實在殺手還會心傷

今天晚宴 就由你付賬 (這筆欠債 應該我付賬)

自問亦有形象 未願暴露惆悵

我會扮做無人欠我 分開只因我想 (我會落力來承接你 分手也要合唱)

毋須打開天窗 (難道我很無良)

能裝不知 也算體諒 (情願揭開天窗)

狠心揭破真相 無非想 (痛苦收場)

扮誠實來換舒暢

毋須開多一槍

即使分手 要有修養 (落淚殺手但願見諒)

今天晚宴 就由你付賬 (這筆欠債 應該我付賬)

結局美麗過真相 這結局太善良

毫無殺氣 不必心傷

毋須打開天窗

能裝不知 也算體諒

狠心揭破真相 無非想

扮誠實來換取舒暢

毋須開多一槍

即使分手 要有修養 (落淚殺手但願見諒)

今天晚宴 就由你付賬 (今天晚宴 應該我付賬)

不必送我 大門要 關上

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
喝 /hē/ A1	verb - to drink
計算 /jì suàn/ B1	verb - to calculate, to compute noun - calculation
分手 /fēn shǒu/ B1	verb - to break up; to part company
靜默 /jìng mò/ B2	noun - silence adjective - silent
逃走 /táo zǒu/ B1	verb - to escape, to flee
對白 /duì bái/ B1	noun - dialogue
練習 /liàn xí/ A2	verb - to practice noun - practice
心軟 /xīn ruǎn/ B2	adjective - soft-hearted; tender-hearted
體諒 /tǐ liàng/ B2	verb - to understand and sympathize; to show understanding
狠心 /hěn xīn/ B2	adjective - ruthless; cruel; heartless
揭破 /jiē pò/ C1	verb - to expose; to lay bare; to reveal
真相 /zhēn xiàng/ B1	noun - truth; the actual facts
誠實 /chéng shí/ B1	adjective - honest; truthful
殺手 /shā shǒu/ B2	noun - assassin; murderer
形象 /xíng xiàng/ B1	noun - image; form; figure
暴露 /bào lù/ B2	verb - to expose; to reveal; to lay bare
惆悵 /chóu chàng/ C1	adjective - melancholy; disconsolate
善良 /shàn liáng/ B1	adjective - kind-hearted; good
修養 /xiū yǎng/ B2	noun - self-cultivation; accomplishment; training

Key Grammar Structures

• 能裝不知 也算體諒

  ➔ Modal verb + verb phrase indicating ability or possibility

  ➔ Use of the modal verb "能" which indicates ability or possibility suddenly in context.

• 毋須打開天窗

  ➔ Negative imperative construction with "毋須" (must not / do not need to)

  ➔ The phrase "毋須" functions as a negative directive meaning "do not need to" or "must not" in the context.

• 扮誠實來換舒暢

  ➔ Verb + 来 + verb indicating purpose or motivation (to do something to achieve a goal)

  ➔ Use of "来" after a verb signifies purpose or intention behind the action.

• 即使分手 要有修養

  ➔ Concessive clause introduced by "即使" (even if / even though) with a main clause indicating a requirement or condition.

  ➔ Use of "即使" introduces a concession, meaning "even if" or "although," showing the main clause still holds true.

• 毫無殺氣 不必心傷

  ➔ Adjective phrase + Negative verb, indicating lack of qualities or necessity.

  ➔ Use of a negative form with an adjective phrase to express the absence of an attribute or the lack of necessity.

• 救不了你 太多遍

  ➔ Verb + negative form + time phrase, indicating inability or repetition.

  ➔ The phrase uses a negative verb form combined with a time expression to indicate inability or multiple repetitions.

• 我會落力來承接你

  ➔ Verb + 来 + verb indicating effort or purpose (to do something with effort)

  ➔ Use of "来" after a verb indicates effort or the intention to undertake the action.