<![CDATA[Aladdin: “A Whole New World” Japanese/English Lyrics Comparison]]>
Yesterday’s post translated the song A Whole New World from Japanese to literal English. Today I wanted to post my translated Japanese version next to the official English lyrics. We can then compare how the Japanese translated a song that was originally written in English!
Enjoy!
First, the Japanese Version (translated yesterday, view previous post)
Japanese lyrics (translated literally. A = Aladdin, J= Jasmine):
A: I will show you a sparkling world Princess, this is the flower of freedom Open your eyes, and trust this magic carpet To see the great world
The clouds in the great sky are beautiful Nobody can stop where we’re going Or bind us down
J: My eyes are dazzled by the sky But for the first time, to my throbbing chest You’ve shown A: (A wonderful world)
J: It is amazing beyond words, I cannot believe The twinkling stars are like diamonds
A whole new world A: (Open your eyes!) J: A world just beginning A: (Don’t be afraid!) J: The shooting stars are brimming in a marvelous dream…
A: A fantastic J: (The stars and the sea too) A: new world J: (Please stay this way) Let’s search for tomorrow Just the two of us together
A: We will see… J: (The two of us…) A: The world… J: (The world…) A: As it is… J: (With you…) Forever…
The official English version:
Aladdin: I can show you the world Shining, shimmering, splendid Tell me, princess, now when did You last let your heart decide?
Aladdin: I can open your eyes Take you wonder by wonder Over, sideways and under On a magic carpet ride
Aladdin: A whole new world A new fantastic point of view No one to tell us no or where to go Or say we’re only dreaming
Princess Jasmine: A whole new world A dazzling place I never knew But when I’m way up here, it’s crystal clear That now I’m in a whole new world with you Aladdin: (Now I’m in a whole new world with you) Princess Jasmine: Unbelievable sights Indescribable feelings Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling Through an endless diamond sky
Princess Jasmine: A whole new world Aladdin: (Don’t you dare close your eyes) Princess Jasmine: A hundred thousand things to see Aladdin: (Hold your breath, it gets better)
Princess Jasmine: I’m like a shooting star I’ve come so far I can’t go back To where I used to be
Aladdin: A whole new world Princess Jasmine: Every turn a surprise
Aladdin: With new horizons to pursue Princess Jasmine: Every moment gets better Both: I’ll chase them anywhere There’s time to spare Let me share this whole new world with you
Aladdin: A whole new world Princess Jasmine: A whole new world Aladdin: That’s where we’ll be Princess Jasmine: That’s where we’ll be Aladdin: A thrilling place Princess Jasmine: A wondrous place Both: For you and me
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-Overall both songs have the same meaning, the English one is certainly more poetic, but that is the fault of my literal translation more than the lyrics itself! The Japanese one focuses more on the freedom to see the world together, with less focus on all the sorts of verbs (over, sideways, and under / soaring, tumbling, freewheeling, etc). But aside from those not much a difference!
