Sprachprofi Posted April 14, 2014 at 12:39 PM Report Share Posted April 14, 2014 at 12:39 PM Hey, I know this really awesome song which already exists in German & French & Dutch and English translation (German lyrics and English translation, French lyrics, German song video, French song video, Dutch song & lyrics), it's the perfect song for leave-taking from a host and I'd love to be able to sing it for my Chinese hosts in the future. I tried to do a translation, but I admit it's beyond my level, especially to keep it singable. Here's my attempt, maybe you can correct & fill in - every little bit helps! Note that I'm going for a translation of the underlying meaning rather than each phrase. --- Chorus: 晚安，朋友 Good night, friends (could I use 我兄弟 here to mean "my good friends"?) 该走的时候来了 It's time for me to go 我还要谈的事情 The things I'd still like to say 不多不长 Won't take long 呆最后一杯喝 The time of having a last glass 为日夜跟你们在一起，感谢 Thank you for the days and nights we spent together 为每一杯酒，为每一盘饭， (For the chair at your table and the wine in my glass) ??? (For the plate you add for me, ??? as if nothing was more natural) Chorus 感谢为我们聊天的时间 Thank you for the time we spent talking 为你的耐心 如果意见不同 For your patience when our opinions differed 为你从没问了我哪儿去哪儿来 For never asking where I go or where I come from ??? (For your door that is always open for me) (Alternatively, based on the French, these two lines could be: For not having tried to find out where I come from, nor where I go, nor when, nor why) Chorus 为在你们的仁慈, 我感谢 Thanks for the kindness that lives at your place 为你从没问 ??? Thanks for never asking whether you'll profit [from having me stay] 可能是为此人人想像 Maybe it's because of this that people imagine ??? (That the light in your windows shines warmer than elsewhere) Chorus --- Thank you for your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vivi MENG Posted April 14, 2014 at 03:15 PM Report Share Posted April 14, 2014 at 03:15 PM The blue sentences are my suggestion. You may find it is hard to understand 如此（such a) or 何方( where). I hope it will be helpful. Chorus: 晚安，朋友 Good night, friends (could I use 我兄弟 here to mean "my good friends"?) This is good enough, plz don't use 兄弟. It sounds a little bit impolite. 该走的时候来了 It's time for me to go It is fine 我还要谈的事情 The things I'd still like to say 我还有些话要说 不多不长 Won't take long This is fine 呆最后一杯喝 The time of having a last glass 只要一杯酒的时间 为日夜跟你们在一起，感谢 Thank you for the days and nights we spent together 感谢和你们度过的每一个夜晚 为每一杯酒，为每一盘饭， (For the chair at your table and the wine in my glass) 为每一杯酒，为每一顿饭 为每一双筷子，为如此体贴的关心(For the plate you add for me, ??? as if nothing was more natural)This is not direct translation, so plz don't match every word into English. I made this part up. ：） Chorus 感谢为我们聊天的时间 Thank you for the time we spent talking 感谢我们一起聊天的时光 为你的耐心 如果意见不同 For your patience when our opinions differed 即使意见不同，你依然耐心 为你从没问了我哪儿去哪儿来 For never asking where I go or where I come from 你从不问我从那来，去向何方 ??? (For your door that is always open for me) 总是敞开怀抱欢迎我 (Alternatively, based on the French, these two lines could be: For not having tried to find out where I come from, nor where I go, nor when, nor why) Chorus 为在你们的仁慈, 我感谢 Thanks for the kindness that lives at your place 感谢你们如此体贴好客 为你从没问 ??? Thanks for never asking whether you'll profit [from having me stay] 感谢你们如此无私待我 可能是为此人人想像 Maybe it's because of this that people imagine 可能是因为人们都在想 ??? (That the light in your windows shines warmer than elsewhere) 你窗前的阳光要比任何地方都明亮 Chorus 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprachprofi Posted April 14, 2014 at 04:54 PM Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2014 at 04:54 PM Thanks! You solved my wording questions, though I'll have to see about making it fit the rhythm. I think you may have misunderstood one part: "可能是因为人们都在想 你窗前的阳光要比任何地方都明亮" In German, the singer refers to the light that is inside the house, NOT the sunlight. So if you're standing outside a house on a cold autumn evening and you see the light shining through the windows, the friends' house's light looks particularly warm and inviting. Also, these two lines are too long to be sung. Can you help me find a shorter wording that still conveys the general idea? 非常感谢！ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vivi MENG Posted April 14, 2014 at 05:05 PM Report Share Posted April 14, 2014 at 05:05 PM Oops, you are right. I made a mistake. 可能是为此人人想像 Maybe it's because of this that people imagine 可能因此人们都知道 ??? (That the light in your windows shines warmer than elsewhere) 这里的灯光有家的温暖 How's this one? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprachprofi Posted April 15, 2014 at 09:07 AM Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 at 09:07 AM Wow, I really like this! "家的温暖" - a warmth that makes you feel at home. You're amazing, thank you so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vivi MENG Posted April 15, 2014 at 11:19 AM Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 at 11:19 AM You are welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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