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Watashi wa Ko Neko

created by chkno

(thing) by Broccolist (4 y) (print)   ?   (I like it!) 1 C! Tue Feb 06 2001 at 0:56:30

I ordered the stanzas the same way as chkno's writeup containing the original Japanese lyrics on the left; one line corresponds to one line.

Oh, and I mustn't forget the standard disclaimer: my Japanese isn't too good. This translation may and probably does contain a few mistakes. But hey, it's free practice :).

I'm a kitten

If there are times when you feel like crying
Call my name, ne, don't hesitate, say it
Is it okay if love isn't important in your life?
I'll be quiet and listen, so find the answer
Always being positive, that's kind of hard, but
I live searching for happiness strongly, stubbornly*

I'm a kitten, I pray, I run
For you, I protect you at your side(1)
We can see it over there, happiness is there, in everyone's home
Lying under the patch of sunlight
I like that kind of thing

Your bangs are too long again
I want to see your round eyes, but the thing is that you don't gaze at me
Is it okay if love isn't important in your life?
Love me later, longer, but don't lie
My most cherished thing, I fight only for that
I couldn't have come into this world just to quarrel

I'm a kitten, I hop, I shine
Even in a hundred years, remember every moment
We can see it over there, happiness is there, in everyone's home
If you're here, if you're with me, it's fun every day

Aah, the wind flows*
Aah, my friends are here too
Ne, with me, with a happy face
Ne, won't you laugh?

I'm a kitten, I hop, I shine
Even in a hundred years, remember every moment
We can see it over there, happiness is there, in everyone's home
If you're here, if you're with me, it's fun every day

Translator's notes:

The lyrics of this song have an informal, tongue-in-cheek atmosphere which isn't really captured in my translation. It uses lots of casual-style requests, as well as structures expressing intonation like yo, ne and n da. Neither can be brought over into English without losing its original connotations. Also, there is a lot of use of pronouns and directional giving verbs (ageru/kureru), so in this case the English pronouns are accurate; not arbitrary as is common.

* The verb here was conjugated with a -te iku or variant form, which is difficult to translate. It suggests an action growing from a null starting point.

(1) The rhythmic effect of this section is unfortunately lost in the English translation. In Japanese, explicit pronouns are rarely used; here, we have 5 in 2 lines. Makes for a nice beat :).


printable version
chaos

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