王菲’s 红豆 (Hóng Dòu, meaning Red Beans), released in 1998, is one of her most iconic and beloved songs. It’s a melancholic yet tender ballad. Here are the Chinese lyrics with English translations, pinyin and more.
紅豆 (1998)
还没好好的感受 雪花绽放的气候
我们一起颤抖 会更明白 甚么是温柔
还没跟你牵着手 走过荒芜的沙丘
可能从此以后 学会珍惜 天长和地久
有时候 有时候
我会相信一切有尽头
相聚离开 都有时候
没有甚么会永垂不朽
可是我 有时候
宁愿选择留恋不放手
等到风景都看透
也许你会陪我 看细水长流
还没为你把红豆 熬成缠绵的伤口
然后一起分享 会更明白 相思的哀愁
还没好好的感受 醒著亲吻的温柔
可能在我左右 你才追求 孤独的自由
有时候 有时候
我会相信一切有尽头
相聚离开 都有时候
没有甚么会永垂不朽
可是我 有时候
宁愿选择留恋不放手
等到风景都看透
也许你会陪我 看细水长流
有时候 有时候
我会相信一切有尽头
相聚离开 都有时候
没有甚么会永垂不朽
可是我 有时候
宁愿选择留恋不放手
等到风景都看透
也许你会陪我 看细水长流
Chinese lyrics with English + pinyin
还没好好的感受 雪花绽放的气候
Hái méi hǎo hǎo de gǎnshòu xuěhuā zhànfàng de qìhòu
(Haven’t had the chance to truly experience the season when snowflakes bloom)
我们一起颤抖 会更明白 甚么是温柔
Wǒmen yīqǐ chàndǒu huì gèng míngbái shénme shì wēnróu
(If we shiver together, maybe we’ll better understand what warmth means)
还没跟你牵着手 走过荒芜的沙丘
Hái méi gēn nǐ qiānzhe shǒu zǒuguò huāngwú de shāqiū
(Haven’t held your hand and walked across desolate sand dunes)
可能从此以后 学会珍惜 天长和地久
Kěnéng cóngcǐ yǐhòu xuéhuì zhēnxī tiāncháng hé dìjiǔ
(Maybe from now on, we will learn to cherish eternity)
有时候 有时候
Yǒu shíhòu yǒu shíhòu
(Sometimes, sometimes)
我会相信一切有尽头
Wǒ huì xiāngxìn yīqiè yǒu jìntóu
(I believe that everything eventually comes to an end)
相聚离开 都有时候
Xiāngjù líkāi dōu yǒu shíhòu
(Reunions and separations all happen sometimes)
没有甚么会永垂不朽
Méiyǒu shénme huì yǒngchuí bùxiǔ
(Nothing lasts forever)
可是我 有时候
Kěshì wǒ yǒu shíhòu
(But sometimes, I)
宁愿选择留恋不放手
Nìngyuàn xuǎnzé liúliàn bù fàngshǒu
(Would rather hold on and not let go)
等到风景都看透
Děng dào fēngjǐng dōu kàn tòu
(Waiting until I have seen all the scenery)
也许你会陪我 看细水长流
Yěxǔ nǐ huì péi wǒ kàn xì shuǐ cháng liú
(Maybe you will stay and watch the gentle stream flow with me)
还没为你把红豆 熬成缠绵的伤口
Hái méi wèi nǐ bǎ hóngdòu áo chéng chánmián de shāngkǒu
(Haven’t boiled the red beans into a lingering wound for you)
然后一起分享 会更明白 相思的哀愁
Ránhòu yīqǐ fēnxiǎng huì gèng míngbái xiāngsī de āichóu
(Then we’ll share the sorrow of longing together and understand it more deeply)
还没好好的感受 醒著亲吻的温柔
Hái méi hǎo hǎo de gǎnshòu xǐngzhe qīnwěn de wēnróu
(Haven’t fully experienced the tenderness of kissing while awake)
可能在我左右 你才追求 孤独的自由
Kěnéng zài wǒ zuǒyòu nǐ cái zhuīqiú gūdú de zìyóu
(Maybe only when you are by my side, you start chasing solitary freedom)
(Chorus repeats the previous lines about time, separations, and longing.)
10 key phrases from the song
- 好好地感受 (hǎo hǎo de gǎnshòu) – To properly experience/feel something
- 甚么是温柔 (shénme shì wēnróu) – What gentleness is
- 相聚离开 (xiāngjù líkāi) – Meeting and parting
- 永垂不朽 (yǒng chuí bù xiǔ) – To last forever, to be immortal
- 宁愿选择 (nìngyuàn xuǎnzé) – Would rather choose
- 留恋不放手 (liúliàn bù fàngshǒu) – To hold on and not let go
- 等到风景都看透 (děngdào fēngjǐng dōu kàn tòu) – Until all the scenery has been seen through (metaphor for life experience)
- 细水长流 (xìshuǐ chángliú) – A slow, steady love that lasts long (literally: “a small stream flows forever”)
- 熬成缠绵的伤口 (áo chéng chánmián de shāngkǒu) – To stew (red beans) into lingering wounds (metaphor for love turning into sorrow)
- 孤独的自由 (gūdú de zìyóu) – The freedom of loneliness
Interpretation
This song expresses a deep sense of nostalgia, love, and loss. It reflects the impermanence of relationships, the bittersweet nature of memories, and the longing for enduring love. The phrase “细水长流” (xì shuǐ cháng liú) literally means “a small stream flows steadily,” symbolizing a love that lasts through time, slow and steady. The lyrics acknowledge that nothing lasts forever, yet the singer still clings to the hope that love can endure beyond fleeting moments.
In Chinese culture, 红豆 (red beans) symbolize love, longing, and deep emotions. The phrase originates from an ancient Tang dynasty poem by 王维 (Wang Wei), where red beans are seen as tokens of love and remembrance. The line “还没为你把红豆 熬成缠绵的伤口” (Haven’t boiled the red beans into a lingering wound for you) suggests that the love has not yet turned into painful regret, but the potential for sorrow exists.
