Learn to Sing a Burmese Song
One good thing about learning to sing a song in Burmese language, or in any other language that you don't know is that you don't need to understand all the words. You just sing along Karaoke style to make new friends in Myanmar and socialize in Myanmar night life.
Of course, it will be good if you know what the song is all about, and understand at least the gist of the lyrics.
Burmese word for a "song" is
tha1-chin3.
The word for "to sing" is
hso2.
So, how would you say, "I am going to sing"?
tha1-chin3 — song (noun)
hso2 — sing (verb)
meare2 — will; going to (post-positional marker)
tha1-chin3 hso2 meare2
I am going to sing. (song + sing + will)
tha1-chin3 — song (noun)
da1-boat — one + "measure words for songs (adjective)
hso2 — sing (verb)
meare2 — will; going to (post-positional marker)
tha1-chin3 da1-boat hso2 meare2
I am going to sing a song. (song + one + "measure word for songs" + sing + will)
I have picked a beautiful Burmese song with a sweet vocal and wonderful lyrics that inspired me to translate into English. The song is titled, "Thein Hta Khwint" (Thain3-hta3 khwin1), which means "permission to keep".
It was sung by a talented ethnic Kachin singer named N Kaira from Northern Myanmar.
Lyrics of Myanmar Song: "Thein Hta Khwint" by N. Kaira - part 1 translated into English
Let's listen to the first part of the song.
pfyu2 sin2 deare2 — pure and white (white + pure + affirmation)
ho2 a-yin2 — in the past
min3 a-pau2 — on you
yo3-tha3-jin3 mya3 dtha2 — only innocent feelings (innocence + plural + only)
pfyu2 sin2 deare2 — pure and white (white + pure + affirmation)
kjin2 na2 deare1 — caring (cares; be kind; be tender + that which)
kjo3 mya3 neare1 — with strings (string + plural + with)
ma1-yit pup khin2 ga1 — before being wound (negative + coil and bind + before + at the time)
before being wound by the strings of caring attachment.
yin3 hni3 zwa2 — intimately
a-tu2 — together
pyau2-shwin2 — enjoy
kheare1 deare1 — that + had
nay1-yet dway2 — days (day + plural)
a-hsone3 hma2 — at the end (end + at)
ngo2 — cry
chin2 deare3 — want to
way3 hma2 — to be far
so3 — be worry
da2 — (points out to that worry)
My innocence:
only what I had for you in the past — pure and white.
Pure and white,
before being bond by the strings of caring attachment.
At the end of
friendly days that we had enjoyed together,
I feel like crying,
being afraid to be apart.
Lyrics of Myanmar Song: "Thein Hta Khwint" by N. Kaira - part 2 translated into English
de2 a-chain2 hma2 — At this time (this + time + at)
ko1 go2 — to me (me + to)
ta1-khu1 gu1 — something
min3 lay3 — baby, you
may3 deare1 a-kha2 — at the time of asking (ask + that which + time)
woon2-khan2 meare2 — I will admit (admit + reference to the future action)
kjin2-na2 deare1 — caring (cares; be kind; be tender + that which)
kjo3 mya3 leare3 — strings also (string + plural + also)
yit-pup byi2 kwa2
— have coiled and wound (coil and wind + has reached that condition + sigh!)
min3 thi1 oun2 — In order to let you know (you + know + in order to)
ko2 yi2-yweare2 hta3 deare1
those which I have been intending
(I + intend + present continuous tense + that which)
a-twin3 za1-ga3 dway2
intimate words (inside + word + plural)
pyau3 hma2 — going to tell (tell + "to")
nay2 chin2 deare2 — I want to stay (stay + want + affirmation)
min3 yeare1 — your (you + possessive; converts "you" to "your")
a-ni3 hma2 — nearby (proximity; nearness + at)
At this time...
baby, when you ask me something...
I will admit,
the strings of caring attachments have wound me.
To make you know...
I'm going to tell you my secret thoughts:
"I want to stay
close to you."
Lyrics of Myanmar Song: "Thein Hta Khwint" by N. Kaira - part 3 translated into English
hmyau2-lin1-jin3 — a hope
hna1-lone3-dtha3 — heart
ma1-noon3 oun2
in order not to wither away (not to + wither and fade + in order)
pyan2 khweare3 ma1-thwa3 neare1 kwa2
Please don't break apart and go away..
(again + break + not + go + don't + frustrated tone)
a-tu2-du2 — together
pfyut-thun3 — to journey
ni3 thwa3 zo1
Let's get close!
(to be near + increasing degree + let's)
ma1-net-pfyan2 mya3
days of tomorrow (tomorrow + plural)
ko2 — I
ta1-yout hteare3 - alone (one + person + suffix 'alone')
ah3 neare3
weak (strength + low)
ba1-wa1 hma2 — in life
nin2 ma1-shi1 lo1 - if you were not there
ma1-ya1 ba2 - not possible (not + possible + ending word)
hta2-wa1-zin2 — forever
a-chit mya3
lots of love (love + plural)
thain3-hta3 khwin1
permission to keep
ya1 chin2 da2
What I want to have is
(get + want + convert to noun clause)
Let not a hope in the heart to wither...
don't you break it apart and go away.
Let's journey the days of tomorrow you and I,
Let's get close together!
All alone and weak I will be,
if you were not there in my life.
What I want to have is...
a permission to keep lots of love — forever!
Myanmar Song: "Thein Hta Khwint" by N. Kaira - part 4
The full version of the song has a repeat of part 3 and ending part is an another repeat of the last four lines:
All alone and weak I will be,
if you were not there in my life.
What I want to have is...
a permission to keep lots of love — forever!
Recommended Myanmar Vocalist: N. Kaira
Try searching "N. Kaira + Thein Hta Khwint" on the Internet. There are a number of her songs on the YouTube. But, I would recommend buying her records when you visit Myanmar. Then, you will have a permission to keep those — forever!