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I've noticed in a few Chinese songs that, when the lyrics take up multiple lines, the second line will be shifted to the right or off-center.

The biggest example of this is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2601BDvx2U

If you skip around the video you'll see what I mean- there's a lot of spacing between words, and in this example they even confine it to a grid.

Is there a name for this? Is it an old Chinese writing practice? I feel like I've noticed it in quite a few songs now.

Thank you! Also heads up I know no Chinese

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    It has nothing to do with Chinese, It is just an artistic choice of the subtitle editor. Maybe he though it would make the subtitle look more 'organic' than 'mechanic'
    – Tang Ho
    May 2, 2021 at 20:22
  • Even on the video I linked?
    – OtheJared
    May 3, 2021 at 0:43
  • Even on the video I linked? Yes. May 3, 2021 at 4:45

2 Answers 2

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It is not a writing style, rather it is a style of arranging letters to be an artistic presentation for the fun/pleasure of viewing.

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I am from China and I can make sure that we does not have some writing habit to shift second line to right or off-center when writing articles or lyrics.

The reason why to write like this in the video, is just for making it beautiful.

when the lyrics take up multiple lines

In the video you linked, the lyrics actually just have one line but split into multiple lines deliberately.

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