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I'm working on translating song lyrics, and trying to understand the meaning behind the song 星光 by S.H.E.

The lyrics I'm struggling with are:

也許是你笑的弧度和我很像

Translation guess: Perhaps its the shape of your smile [that] I really like(像??).

and later:

才會背靠著背一起等天亮

Translation guess: Until then we lie side by side waiting for dawn.

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  • re 1st line:弧度 radian (angle measure unit),used in 嘴角的弧度 to measure facial expressions cf.看恋人嘴角的弧度 从笑容解读恋人性格 scitech.people.com.cn/GB/53754/4296997.html 2nd line: back leaning against back waiting for daybreak
    – user6065
    Commented Jul 22, 2016 at 14:50
  • I can find translations for the literal definition of each word, but it doesn't make sense to me. I'll add my best guess at translation.
    – rcheuk
    Commented Jul 22, 2016 at 15:27

1 Answer 1

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Missing or omitted:

Line 1: "也許是你笑的弧度和我(的)很像 "

**the possessive marker 的 is omitted,

我= I / 我的 (with object)= my / 我的 (without object)= mine

Line 2: "(我們)才會背靠著背一起等天光"

** The subject pronoun "我們"(us) is omitted, In Chinese, we omit pronoun whenever possible.

Break down:

[1.也許是] [2. 你笑的弧度] [3. 和我(的)很像]

[1.may be it is because] [2. the curvature of your (mouth) (when you) smile] [3.is very similar to mine ]

** they simile like each other, imply their personalities are similar too.

[4.(我們) 才會] [5.背靠著背] [6.一起] [7.等天光]

[4. that made us] [ 5.back pressing against each others back] [6.together] [7.waiting for dawn]

** It is a graphic description of a couple sit closely together in darkness and just let time pass. (supposedly a romantic scene.)

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  • Thank you for breaking it down and providing a descriptive answer!
    – rcheuk
    Commented Jul 22, 2016 at 17:05

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