In English, the name means something along the lines of “Is there sunshine?” Or “Is it sunny?” This is not used to ask about the day, but the state of the person’s life at that time.
Pronouns are one of those things that are often left out but can be inferred. In these songs, often words like “we” and “I” are left out completely. In English, I’ve brought them in sometimes, but often I leave them out too. It just depends on how it sounds when I translate them over.
This translation is not even close to adequate in conveying the emotions of the song.
Lyrics
Hmong | English |
Yav tag los | In the past |
Koj thiab kuv | You and I |
Txawj sib hlub | Knew how to love |
Txawj sib hais | Knew how to talk |
Wb yeej nyob tshab tuj nrig | We were happy [1] |
Tsis tau xav tias yuav muaj hnub no | Never thought there would be today |
Txawm wb tsis tau ua ke | Even though we couldn’t be together |
Kuv zoo siab rov tau ntsib koj | I’m happy to see you again |
Koj puav nyob tshav ntuj nrig | Are you happy |
Li thaum koj nyob hauv kuv lub xub ntiag | Like you were when you were in my arms? |
Sib hlub ib zaug los tsis tau yuav | Loved once, but couldn’t have[2] |
Txhob tu siab rauv wb lub neej | Don’t be sad about our life |
Rau siab khwv rau yus tus kheej | Keep toiling for yourself [3] |
Tsis tau hlub los tsuav tau los sib pom dua ib zaug | Couldn’t love but at least can see each other one more time. |
Txij hnub no koj thiab kuv | From now on, you and I |
Yuav sib nrug yuav sib ncaim | Will separate, will depart |
Koj puas tshuav ib los lus hais | Do you have anything to say |
Tsam kuv mus ua lub neej nyob tsaus ntuj nti | In case I go and live a life of darkness? |
Txawm wb tsis tau ua ke | Even though we couldn’t be together |
Kuv zoo siab rov tau ntsib koj | I’m happy to see you again |
Thov kom koj nyob luag li ntxhi | Hope that you will smile |
Li thaum koj nyob hauv kuv lub mi xub ntiag | As you did when you were in my arms |
Ua cas koj ho quaj | Why do you weep? |
Txawm kua muag nrog | Even though tears fall |
Los txhob pwb leej twg pom | Don’t let anyone see |
Txawm kuab muag ntws | Even though tears flow |
Los cia nws ntws twj ywm | Let them fall silently |
Txhob tu siab rau wb lub neej | Don’t be sad about our life |
Rau siab khwv rau yus tus kheej | Keep toiling for yourself |
Tsis tau hlub los tsuav tau los sib pom dua ib zaug | Couldn’t love, but at least we can see each other one more time. |
Sib hlub ib zaug los tsis tau yuav | Loved once, but couldn’t have |
Txhob tu siab rauv wb lub neej | Don’t be sad about our life |
Rau siab khwv rau yus tus kheej | Keep toiling for yourself |
Tsis tau hlub los tsuav tau los sib pom dua ib zaug | Couldn’t love, but at least can see each other one more time. |
[1] “Tshav ntuj nrig” is more like “sunny” or “bright daylight” but used in this context it is more aligned with happiness.
[2] This is more like “We were able to love but we couldn’t get married.” It would be an awkward English translation.
[3] “yus tus kheeb” is more like “one’s self” not “yourself.”