OK, the classic song, released Stateside as “Sukiyaki” in 1963. I’d like a word-for-word translation.
I know that Japanese word order is not the same, and that a lot of the words are not themselves translatable, as they are simply particles for denoting objects, subjects, etc.
I’d just like a word-for-word translation to see what the individual “real” words mean.
I’ll have to wait for my wife to come home to ask her about some parts (or just bump the thread for another J-Doper to step in), but here’s most of it, with word-for-word first and a more-or-less interpretation afterwards. The things in italics don’t really correspond to an English word (o, ga, wa, no), but show the previous word or phrase’s grammatical role.
Up obj. facing walk / I look up when I walk
Tear subj. overflow for-the-purpose-of-not-doing / So the tears don’t overflow
reminding spring possessive day / Reminded of a spring day
lonely/solitary night / [this is such?] A lonely night
Up obj. facing walk / I look up when I walk
Blurred stars obj. count / Counting up the blurry stars [blurry because he’s crying]
reminding summer possessive day / Reminded of a summer day
lonely/solitary night / A lonely night
Happiness/pleasure subj. cloud possessive up is-located / Happiness is above the clouds
Happiness/pleasure subj. sky possessive up is-located / Happiness is above the sky
Up obj. facing walk / I look up when I walk
Tear subj. overflow for-the-purpose-of-not-doing / So the tears don’t overflow
While-crying walk / Walking as I cry
lonely/solitary night / A lonely night
whistling
reminding autumn possessive day / Reminded of an autumn day
lonely/solitary night / A lonely night
Loneliness subj. star possessive shadow is-located / Loneliness is in the shadow of the stars
Loneliness subj. moon possessive shadow is-located Loneliness is in the shadow of the moon
Up obj. facing walk / I look up when I walk
Tear subj. overflow for-the-purpose-of-not-doing / So the tears don’t overflow
While-crying walk / Walking as I cry
lonely/solitary night / A lonely night
lonely/solitary night / A lonely night
All in all, a happy little ditty.
Domo arigatou!
In which Earl displays his entire command of the Japanese language
A tiny, tiny addendum to Sublight’s analysis: The verb “walk” (aruku) is in the volitional form, arukou. In this particular context, there’s no easy English translation but “let’s walk” is what comes closer. In terms of meaning, the first line sounds something like:
“I’ll do my best to try looking up when I walk…”